Shrouded courtrooms conceal incompetence, repeated abuse, preventable fatalities, and systemic breakdowns from public view. When proceedings operate in secrecy, there is little external pressure to correct failures. We advocate for presumptively open court proceedings and public reporting of outcomes so agencies must answer—not in theory, but in fact—for the safety of children and families.
News & Press
Events & Testimonies
Op-Eds
Mandatory Reporting Saves Lives
In 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.
Child welfare advocates tell Arizona’s Family that DCS needs to do more to keep kids safe
State lawmakers promised transparency and accountability when they created the Department of Child Safety, or DCS. But has it lived up to those promises?
Why the Supreme Court matters for abused kids
Hi friends, A few months ago, I was invited to write a chapter for a reference book on American foster care. I’m thrilled to share this sneak peek with you in advance of publication. Here is my chapter, "Changing Laws, Changing Lives". Thank you for helping America’s abandoned and abused children. ~ Darcy P.S. Thanks [...]
I need to tell you about Zaiden
This is not an easy read. But to understand just how broken the child welfare system is, I need you to stay with me. In April of this year, police in Wichita, Kansas responded to a domestic disturbance call at the mobile home where two-year-old Zaiden Javonovich lived. Brandi and Patrick, Zaiden’s parents, were not [...]
