by Elizabeth Gibbons Elizabeth Darling Nomination President Donald Trump has nominated the president and chief executive of the Texas-based OneStar Foundation, Elizabeth Darling, to be the new commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth, and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It could take weeks or months for a nominee to be
by Elizabeth Gibbons Oklahoma In a recent State News update, we talked about Georgia’s bill to allow faith-based adoption agencies to discriminate against couples who are LGBTQ. The Oklahoma State Senate is now hearing a very similar bill. Advocates for foster youth in Oklahoma have reported that the state Senate will take up a bill
by Elizabeth Gibbons Georgia A bill in the Georgia State Legislature, which would enable foster and adoption agencies to refuse potential foster and adoptive parents on the basis of religious beliefs, is drawing national controversy over its religious and discriminatory language. The Human Rights Campaign and other groups have raised concerns that this bill will
by Elizabeth Gibbons The Florida School Shooting, Upcoming Protests, and Legislation The devastating Parkland, Florida mass shooting, like many other tragic school shootings, has rekindled the debate over gun control. As a quick recap: gunman Nikolas Cruz, 19, had a history of mental health issues, and multiple calls had been made to authorities regarding his
by Elizabeth Gibbons Oregon In our Last Week In Child Welfare, February 4-11, we discussed the recent audit of Oregon’s child welfare department that showed the state had not made any significant improvements or reforms, despite the knowledge that their system was ineffective and jeopardized the health and safety of the children in their care. On
by Elizabeth Gibbons Family First Prevention Services Act The newest budget includes a (potential) gem for child welfare legislation: an attempt to help reshape the foster care system and combat the effects of the opioid epidemic. The Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPA) amends the funding structure of child welfare by allowing states to use
by Elizabeth Gibbons Oregon In Oregon, Senate Democrats have boosted the state’s child welfare program by $30 million in an attempt to reform the failing system. This budget increase follows public hearings held by democrats to question, and in some respects, shame child welfare agency bureaucrats into implementing improvements. This all comes on the back
by Elizabeth Gibbons Legislation on Amateur Sports On January 30, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to require governing bodies of amateur sports, the sports in which most minors participate, to report sexual abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours. The bill stipulates new training to prevent misconduct, extends the statute of limitations for
by Elizabeth Gibbons Iowa The Iowa Department of Human Services is facing criticism after the high-profile deaths of two teenagers at the hands of their adoptive parents. The Department is now working to change their policies, procedures, and responses. The teenagers were formerly in the foster system and had contact with social service workers; in
by Elizabeth Gibbons Mississippi Lack of legal representation for parents creates unnecessary delays and hardships, hindering child welfare workers and keeping families apart. In Mississippi, 75% of parents who are financially challenged and involved in the child welfare system do not have legal counsel or representation, making it one of only two states not to
