CITATIONS FOR HONKFORKIDS PAMPHLET FACTS

 

 

·      In 2004 – 9,574 CHINS cases were filed in Indiana - 2,097 terminations of parental rights cases were filed. Cost of DCS intervention, to Indiana taxpayers, in 2004 - $379,190,582 – Indiana Supreme Court, “In Court Improvement Program,” June 30, 2005

 

·      In 2005, 2% of judges surveyed said they rarely ordered relative placements to be explored if the child could not be returned home.  10.2% said they do so “occasionally,” 36.7% answered, “often,” 51% answered, “usually.” – Indiana Supreme Court, “In Court Improvement Program,” June 30, 2005

 

·      Title IV-E is part of the federal Social Security Act that makes money available to states for foster care and adoption. – Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997

 

·      States are allowed to provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes. Richard Wexler, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House Committee on Ways and Means, May 23, 2006

 

·      At age 18, young people “age out” of foster care and are cut off from most services provided by the foster care system.  A 1998 study found that 12 to 18 months later, 49% were unemployed, 37% had not completed high school, 32% were receiving public assistance,18% had been incarcerated, 25% experienced serious physical victimization and 44% had difficulty acquiring medical care. – 1997 Child Welfare League of America’s Stat Book

 

·      Perpetrators of Maltreatment (number of cases per 100,000 children in the U.S.)

Physical Abuse – 160 by CPS and 59 by parents

Sexual Abuse – 112 by CPS and 13 by parents

Neglect – 410 by CPS and 241 by parents

Medical Neglect – 14 by CPS and 12 by parents

Fatalities – 6.4 by CPS and 1.5 by parents

The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect   

 

·      States receive up to $10,000 for each child adopted from CPS.  Children’s Bureau Express November 2004.  Available online at http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov

 

·      Establishment of a citizen review panel is required by federal law when a state is receiving funds for child protection.  Congressional Record – House, pp. H11148-9, September 25, 1996; SEE, ALSO, 42 U.S.C. & 5106A(c)

 

·      The court is required to consider placing a CHINS child with a relative before considering any other out-of-home placement.  IC 31-34-4-2(a)

 

·      The forced separation of parent from child, even for a short time represents a       serious infringement upon the rights of both.  J.B. v. Washington County (10th Cir. 1997)

 

·      Fully a third of the former foster children said they’d been abused by a foster parent or another adult in a foster home.  Casey Family Programs / Harvard Medical School, “Improving Family Foster Care:  Findings from the Northwest Foster Care Alumni Study, (Seattle, WA: 2005).  Available online at:

http://www.casey.org/NR/rdonlyres/4E1E7C77-7624-4260-A253-892C5A6CB9E1/923/CaseyAlumniStudyupdated082006.pdf

·      The only way to fix foster care is to have less of it.  Richard Wexler, Testimony Before the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the House Committee on Ways and Means, May 23, 2006.  Available online at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp

 

·      In 2005, Marion County alone spent $80,046,964 to keep children in foster care or institutions. - Office of Family and Children Report, 2006 

 

·      A due-process violation occurs when a state-required breakup of a natural family is founded solely on a “best interests” analysis that is not supported by proof of parental unfitness.  Quillon v. Walcott, 434 U.S. 246, 255, (1978)

 

·      In 2005, there were 513,000 children in foster care in the U.S.  236,775 of these children were placed with a non-relative.  Adoption was the goal for 100,949.  The AFCARS Report – Preliminary FY 2005 Estimates as of September 2006 for FY 10/1/04 through 9/30/05

 

·      In 2005, 46,954 children less than one year old were placed in foster care in the U.S.  The AFCARS Report – Preliminary FY 2005 Estimates as of September 2006 for FY 10/1/04 through 9/30/05

 

·      45,590 or 89% of the children adopted in 2005 received an adoption subsidy.  The AFCARS Report – Preliminary FY 2005 Estimates as of September 2006 for FY 10/1/04 through 9/30/05

 

 

 

           

 

 

WHEN DCS TAKES AN INTEREST IN YOUR FAMILY

 

 

 

1.              Do not allow any caseworker or police officer into your home without a warrant.

2.              Do not curse, yell, threaten or attack a DCS caseworker

3.              Do not sign anything unless you are given a copy for yourself

4.              Do not sign a CHINS (child in need of services) Agreement

5.              Do not allow your child to be interviewed without you or your attorney present

6.              Do not accept a plea bargain if you are innocent

7.              Do not trust any CPS official, no matter how friendly they act.

8.              Do not willingly surrender the children

9.              Do not give CPS caseworkers or police any information in defense of yourself

10.           Do take your child to a window so the caseworker can see that he/she is all right

11.           Be firm but calm and respectful at all times

12.           Request a public defender at the first court hearing if you cannot afford an attorney.

13.           Dress in an appropriately conservative manner when attending court hearings

14.           Look directly at the judge when speaking

15.           Create a time line of everything that has gone on and keep it up to date

16.           Keep all paper documents regarding your case.

17.           Tape record all phone conversations with DCS workers and others involved.

18.           Locate and preserve any evidence corroborating your innocence

19.           Send a letter to your child’s school stating that he/she is not to speak to any government agent without you or your attorney present

20.           You have the right to be heard during judicial case reviews