Child Protective Services and other government
agencies that are supposed to protect children from neglect and abuse
don't always protect. Many times these agencies are the ones that abuse
parents at the expense of the very children they claim they are
protecting. Some things need to change and change very soon. We, as
citizens of the United States of America, exercising the rights the
Constitution has given us, will do what we can to make these needed
changes. We need your help.
What Child Protective Services Is Not Telling You
Thank you for taking the time to read this
information. The facts and testimonies may be startling, but they are
well documented and true. The situation facing so many Michigan
families is the unchecked abusive power wielded by Child Protection
Services (CPS). These families need our immediate attention and
response. Too many innocent lives have been ruined. As free citizens we
cannot just stand by and watch as the CPS system rips families apart,
for that is exactly what they are doing. Often, based on an anonymous
tip and with unsubstantiated or no evidence whatsoever, this system
will force themselves into private homes without a warrant and without
notifying the families of the charges made against them. Often
CPS subjects both parents and children to interrogations, house searches,
and they have even subjected children to strip searches by total strangers
without being able to have their parents by them for support. If
anything is found that would constitute either neglect or abuse such as
dirty dishes in the sink or a bruise on a toddler's head caused by
bumping into a table, the children can be yanked from the home and
placed with total strangers. Meanwhile, the distraught parents must
fight, often spending tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of
dollars and months of stress to get their own children back who they are rarely
allowed to see. What is happening to these families is unjust. Help us
keep more families from being ruined by the system.
-Citizens for Parental Rights.
About Citizens for Parental Rights
Citizens for Parental Rights (CPR) is a non-partisan community organization.
We seek legislative reforms of the child welfare industry. We promote fair and just treatment of
parents by Child Protective Services (CPS) and the courts.
Our members are teachers, builders, attorneys, parents and grandparents working
with state and federal legislators.
Problem
Michigan CPS has failed to comply with Federal regulations.
Social Service agencies receive bonuses for placing kids up for adoption. They have a financial incentive
for removing children from their parents.
Mission Statement
To make CPS and the court system accountable
and responsive to the people especially as they are related to parents'
rights and family unity.
CPR Goals
- To get the same legal protections for all families that are currently provided to Indian
families in Michigan.
- To allow the parents to choose their attorneys and counselors in court proceedings.
- To require increased visitation and flexible appointment schedules to accommodate working
parents.
- To eliminate anonymous reporting as the only grounds for CPS intervention.
Confidentiality laws are currently being misconstrued as
a means of perverting justice and protecting the system. Anyone accused
of child abuse should have the right to face his accuser. Hearsay
evidence has been banned in other civil and criminal courts. It should
be banned in juvenile court as well.
Want to help fight for CPS reform?
If you have a CPS horror story of your own
or you want to get involved, please contact: Citizens
for Parental Rights and find out how YOU
can make a difference in the lives of families and children in your
community and across the nation.
Facts and Statistics
- 50% of all inmates across the nation are children that
were put through the CPS system (69% in California, 60% in
Massachusetts).*
- "Children who received CPS post-investigation services
were 50% more likely to be maltreated again; children placed in foster
care were 23% more likely to experience abuse and neglect than children
who were not placed [in the system]."***
- For 2001, a national estimate of 1,300 child deaths at a
rate of 1.81 children out of every 100,000 children in the population
died from abuse or neglect.*** Half of these died under the watchful
eye of CPS.
- Funding for CPS is based on how many children they pull
out of the home and place in the System. $7,600 per child from Federal
with an equal amount from the State. Total per child removed from the
home: $15,200.
- Maryland’s Foster Care Review Board recommended, "the
State's entire Child Protection system should be scrapped."*
____________________________
*Information from Brenda Scott’s Book: "Out of Control: Who's Watching Our Child Protective Agencies?"
**Information from Richard Wexler’s Book:
"Wounded Innocents"
***
Administration for Children & Families Child Maltreatment Report
2001
(See Chapter 3 Child Maltreatment Recurrence)
What to do if a CPS caseworker comes to Your Door
- Never let a CPS caseworker or Police Officer into your
home without a warrant. When you let them into your home you forfeit
your Forth Amendment rights. (Even if they have a warrant, be sure to
read it carefully as they are often times quite limited it what they
permit).
- If your children are outside call them into the house. Do
not let them talk to the children. At most, let them come to the window
so that the Worker can see them.
- Never admit to anything or try to explain the situation
to the CPS Worker. Anything you say WILL be twisted and used against
you. Best yet, politely tell the CPS Worker that: "you will not discuss
anything at this time, if there is anything more to be discussed it
will have be through a lawyer." (Even if you do not have one yet). Then
shut the door.
- After contact with CPS, immediately pick up your children
if they attend a public school. CPS case workers frequently remove
children from school without your knowledge or permission.