Maryland Just Created an Independent Watchdog for Foster Kids. Here’s What It Actually Does.

Maryland has passed Kanaiyah’s Law, creating an independent child welfare ombudsman, banning unlicensed foster placements, and tightening guardianship requirements. For…

Federal foster care watchdog quietly rewrote the rules — then sent Maryland a smaller bill

A November 2025 letter from the Children's Bureau reversed a national foster care reimbursement policy, reducing Maryland’s disallowance by $16.…

Follow the money: how $1 billion in federal bonuses built an incentive to separate families

Since 1997, the federal government has allocated over $1 billion in adoption bonuses to states, with additional funding of $52…

When “Parental Rights” Stop Protecting Families—and Start Endangering Children

The Texas Supreme Court case, In the Interest of K.N. et al., raises critical questions about parental rights versus child…

When the Court Redefines Marriage: What New Mexico’s Ruling Means for Families and Children

The recent decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court to overturn the state’s so-called “broken marriages” law marks a significant…

When School Access Becomes Immigration Policy: Who Really Pays the Price?

A migration scholar warns that restricting public education for migrant children could harm workforce quality and child welfare. However, this…

When the Courts Catch Up: The Reckoning Over Medical Decisions Made for Children

A California jury awarded $2 million to Fox Varian, finding malpractice in a double mastectomy performed at 16. This ruling…

When the Court Says “Enough”: What a Pennsylvania Custody Termination Case Reveals About Family Court Limits

The Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld the termination of a mother's parental rights due to insufficient compliance with reunification efforts, emphasizing…

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