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 the Court Helps Families Heal: Why West Virginia’s Family Treatment Courts Matter

West Virginia's Family Treatment Court program, crucial for helping parents with substance use disorders reunite with their children, faces funding…

Oregon Lawmaker Reintroduces Foster Youth Rights Bill After Gov. Kotek’s Veto

Oregon has reintroduced a foster youth “bill of rights” aimed at establishing standards for children in foster care, after a…

Top 10 Biggest Scandals and News Stories to Rock Family Courts, Child Custody, and Child Welfare in 2025

2025 exposed both progress and profound failure in America’s family courts. While Congress passed the most significant child welfare overhaul…

When the Court Steps In: What Michigan’s New Abuse and Neglect Court Gets Right — and What Parents Should Watch Closely

St. Joseph County, Michigan, will launch a $60,000 specialized Abuse and Neglect Court in January 2026, focusing on child welfare…

We Just Marked World Children’s Day — And Children’s Grief Awareness Day. America Failed Both.

World Children's Day and Children's Grief Awareness Day highlight the ongoing issues faced by children in America, including violation of…

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