Press & Media
Access past press releases, media coverage, and public statements from the Center for the Rights of Abused Children. These archives reflect our ongoing work to protect children’s rights and improve the systems that serve them. Return to our homepage to learn more about our mission and find ways you can help.
Latest PostFebruary 6, 2026MediaFunding Will Help Prevent Homelessness, Incarceration, and Lifelong Instability Among Vulnerable Teens Phoenix, Ariz. - The Center for the Rights of Abused Children applauds congressional approval of $30 million in funding for the Family Unification Program, including $25 million dedicated to housing assistance for youth aging out of foster care through the Foster Youth to [...]
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December 11, 2025MediaPhoenix, Ariz. - Today the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent letters to 39 governors calling for immediate action to end the practice [...]
November 17, 2025MediaAnaiah Walker entered the Arizona foster care system at age 13. Before her 14th birthday, she was trafficked by adults posing as teenagers online. By age 15, she ran away from several group [...]
November 5, 2025MediaPhoenix, Ariz. —As families across America gather this Thanksgiving around tables full of joy and togetherness, we’re reminded that every child deserves the same joy of belonging. That’s why Messy Table Games is kicking [...]
August 1, 2025Court BriefingsIn a major victory for child protection, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the state is not required to attempt reunification with a parent who trafficked her child. This landmark decision, In re Barber/Espinoza, affirms Congress’s intent in the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA), which intentionally allows states to forgo reunification when children suffer extreme physical or sexual abuse.
May 1, 2025MediaOn Friday Governor Katie Hobbs signed Senate Bill 1333 (SB 1333)—a life-saving measure, created by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, that will help more children transition from institutional group homes into safe families.
April 30, 2025Court BriefingsOn Wednesday, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. ET, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of In re Barber/Espinoza—a case that will determine whether a woman who trafficked her 9-year-old daughter can still claim parental rights.
April 7, 2025Op-EdIn The Imprint, reporter Jeremy Loudenback highlighted California’s efforts to change mandatory reporting laws, a movement spurred by advocates who believe the current system unnecessarily pulls innocent families into the child welfare system. Loudenback featured the story of Roger De Leon, Jr., who was investigated for suspected abuse only to be later found innocent, as one traumatic example.
March 27, 2025ResearchIn a searing new memo released today, Lives in the Balance: A Bold Plan to Fix America’s Broken Child Protection System, the Center for the Rights of Abused Children lays bare an unflinching truth:
March 24, 2025MediaImagine the state taking your child for no other reason than because you failed to check the right box on a government form. For fathers in Arizona, this nightmare has been reality for decades.
March 8, 2025Op-EdFoster care unexpectedly took center stage at President Trump’s congressional address on Tuesday. First Lady Melania Trump highlighted her Foster the Future initiative — which secures scholarships and opportunities for kids in foster care — and President Trump recognized Jeff Denard, a foster parent to 40 children.
January 10, 2025MediaToday, Governor Laura Kelly signed the nation’s first executive order to comprehensively reform the taking of federal benefits from foster youth. The order aims to ensure abused and neglected children are not deprived of vital resources while in care and to support their transition to independence.
September 18, 2024MediaPhoenix, AZ — The Center for the Rights of Abused Children, a groundbreaking charity dedicated to protecting abused children, has been awarded the prestigious Norman Borlaug Humanitarian Award from Vizient, accompanied by a $50,000 prize. This recognition honors the organization's transformative impact on the lives of abused children under the leadership of founder and CEO, Darcy Olsen.
September 10, 2024MediaDarcy Olsen discusses the Center's mission to mend the child protection system and bring a permanent end to innocent children enduring violence.
June 28, 2024MediaThis new initiative is projected to reduce aging out of foster care by 34 percent.
June 26, 2024MediaLerner & Rowe Gives Back has granted $20,000 to support children served by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children’s Pro Bono Children’s Law Clinic. The funds will exclusively fund emergency legal aid for abused children.
June 26, 2024MediaAt the Arizona Capitol Times’ Best of the Capitol awards ceremony this evening, Darcy Olsen, founder and CEO of the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, was recognized as Arizona’s Best Non-Profit Leader.
June 17, 2024Media– Yesterday, the Arizona legislature passed a measure, brought by the Center for the Rights of Abused Children, to help abused children at the greatest risk of aging out of the foster care system find safe and loving homes. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs is anticipated to sign the bill. House Bill 2704, establishes the Foster Youth Permanency Project Team within the Department of Child Safety.
May 24, 2024ResearchWe are driven to ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of children who go missing from foster care every year. The Center successfully passed state legislation requiring child welfare agencies to [...]
- May 21, 2024Research
We believe every child deserves a safe and loving home. When asked by lawmakers across the country for the single reform that will help protect the most abused and neglected children in foster [...]
April 9, 2024ResearchCenter for the Rights of Abused Children Releases a Model Executive Order Protecting Social Security, Disability, and Survivor Benefits for Children in Foster Care.
- April 8, 2024Research
Sample Executive Order An order prohibiting the state department of child safety (department) from taking rightful federal benefits away from a child in foster care and requiring the department to preserve the child’s [...]
April 6, 2024MediaThe Colorado legislature has passed a landmark reform strengthening core legal protections for children in the foster care system.
