I've got to say, though I'm sorry for everything that happened to you, I'd rather they err to the side of investigating every claim thoroughly. It's just too hard to know at the outset whether a claim has merit or not, you know? I think that if an accuser *deliberately* gives false information, they should be prosecuted. But if someone actually suspects abuse, it's important that they be able to report it and have it looked into.

my accusation was that I was upset so I may harm my child. there wasn't even any allegation of abuse and then when they questioned my step kids they asked them why their father has them and where their mother is. I just thought that was very uncalled for being that the claim wasnt about him. ya know?

I agree with you that there are huge problems with the way CPS deals with families. I've found that in a lot of situations, parents who are doing less harm to their children than being in the foster care system would do are targetted and have their children removed, while truly heinous abuse goes unchecked.

It is also appalling that many states and provinces effectively have "quotas" for how many children should be placed in care (and adopted out) within a certain time period, rather than incentives to keep families whole and functioning. There is also rampant discrimination against parents who are young, are dealing with mental illnesses, learning disabilities, and who have been in foster care themselives, to name a few. I truly believe that the system almost everywhere need a complete overhaul.

I see where you are coming from, and think it's awesome that you are wanting to do something about it. That being said, internet petitions are rarely useful for many reasons. The main reason in this case being that CPS is set up state by state and province by province. Having people from other states (and countries) sign it is going to water it down, because those people don't get a say in how a system in your state is run. Another huge problem with online petitions is it is almost impossible to verify that the people signing do exist and did actually intend for their name, address and phone number to end up on the petition.

Are there any advocacy groups in your area? Groups that lobby for social services reform, or help families being investigated (or who have had their children removed from their care) get decent legal counsel, or groups that help advocate for the reunification of families? All of those would be excellent types of things to get involved with if you feel strongly that CPS needs to be changed.

momtobe19 - what happened? i just bounced up on the forums after a long leave. I have had my own struggle with cps taking my child, and at the same time refusing to investigate when there was sexual abuse on the part of his biodad. Is there somewhere you posted a story that I can read? check out childrensrights.org. It won't make you feel much better in terms of your situation whatever it may be, but there have been ALOT of lawsuits, particularly class action lawsuits and reforms that have affected cyf/dhs/dhfs policy on a federal level because of some dedicated and commited attorneys - some of whom I have had the privelage to share my story with. The law written during the reagan era specifically funds an agenda to keep a baby black market moving like clockwork - rather than empowering, supporting, and helping children and families - particularly the poor. Unfortunately many people blindly, or out of fear and denial - assume that it is otherwise and do things to perpetuate and fuel the abuse of the department's power. Good luck with whatever you are trying to do, and don't hesitate to contact me if theres something I can contribute or you want to talk more.

Love and solidarity,
Reese