Tag Archives: UofM

Mar 7-13: CA&N Media Articles and Updates

Some recent media articles and resources relating to child abuse and neglect. If you have items that you think would be helpful to include in this occasional post, please forward them to me at the email in my signature block.

These stories were chosen because of their perceived relevance to the child welfare community.  MiPSAC is not responsible for the views expressed in any of these articles, nor does it take a position for or against the positions expressed in the articles.  They are presented merely to provide a sampling of what the media is saying about child welfare.

Charlie Enright, JD, MSW
4907 Foster Rd.
Midland, MI  48642
(989) 600-9696
[email protected]
Secretary,
Michigan Professional Society on Abuse of Children, MiPSAC
This and previous posts can be found at: http://www.mipsac.org/category/can-articles

RECENT MEDIA ARTICLES

No More Head Start Cash for City of Detroit

Mar 9, Detroit Free Press: Following complaints that the Detroit Human Services Department fostered an environment of nepotism, reckless spending and corruption to the detriment of the early childhood education program Head Start, the federal government plans to stop sending $50 million a year to the city to fund the program, the Free Press learned Thursday. Mayor Dave Bing’s office supports the idea and agreed to drop the city’s handling of the program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will seek applicants from other governments and nonprofits to take over administering the Head Start money, which is used to help children of lower-income families prepare for school. Link to Article

Gov. Rick Snyder Aims to Stop Truancy; Cut Welfare If Children Skip School

Mar 8, MLive.com: The governor proposed a program to stop truancy in public schools, calling on the Michigan DHS to put more social workers in public elementary schools in Flint, Detroit, Pontiac and Saginaw. “I also call on DHS to require regular school attendance as a condition for eligibility for temporary cash assistance,” Snyder said. Link to Article

Task Force to Examine Child Misconduct at University

Mar 7, Michigan Daily: In the wake of the recent incident involving alleged child pornography at the University of Michigan Health System and the widely publicized incidents at Penn State University, the University is in the planning phases of assembling a task force to prevent inappropriate conduct with children at the University in the future. Link to Article

Adopted Children More Likely to Abuse Drugs if Biological Parent Did

March 6, CBS News: Adopted children are twice as likely to use drugs if their biological parents used them, according a study of more than 18000 adopted children in Sweden. But don’t discount a child’s environment in the nature vs. nurture debate just yet. The same study showed that adopted children who lived with families with problems, such as divorce, death or criminal activity, also had a high risk of drug abuse. Link to Main Article   Cf: Link to Related Article

State House Votes in Favor of Medical Amnesty Policy

Mar 6, Michigan Daily: A bill supporting medical amnesty, a policy that would prevent individuals under the age of 21 from receiving Minor in Possession of Alcohol citations for seeking medical attention for themselves or others while intoxicated was overwhelmingly passed in the Michigan House of Representatives yesterday in a vote of 105-4. The bill will which now heads to the state Senate, was sponsored by State Rep. Anthony Forlini (R–Harrison Township). He said the bill is crucial in potentially saving the lives of underage drinkers in perilous situations. Link to Article

Same issue, different media outlet

Underage Drinkers Would Receive Amnesty Under Legislation that Passed the State House

Mar 6, mlive.com: Minors who call authorities to get help for a friend suffering from alcohol poisoning wouldn’t have to worry about being cited for underage drinking under legislation passed by the state house today. The aim of the legislation, passed by a vote of 104-5, is to encourage minors to notify emergency medical personnel when they think a friend of theirs is dangerously ill because of binge drinking. Link to Article

RESOURCES WITH TIME LIMITED VALUE

Click on a seminar title to view this SCAO List, and then follow directions.

SCAO-CWS 8th Annual Conference: Pathways To Permanency: Engaging Older Youth To Achieve Positive Outcomes
April 11-12, 2012

Impacting Development: Considerations for Child Welfare Professionals About the Developmental Consequences of Abuse and Neglect
Wednesday, May 9 at 9:00 AM EDT

Testifying in Court for Nonlawyers
Thursday, May 24 at 9:00 AM EDT

Child Welfare Advanced Appellate Training
Thursday, Jun 21 at 9:00 AM EDT

Guidelines for Achieving Permanency in Child Protection Proceedings:The “Yellow Book” Training
Thursday, Jul 26 at 9:00 AM EDT

The ICWA “Qualified Expert Witness” Testimony to Protect the Best Interests of the Indian Child
Wednesday, Aug 8 at 9:00 AM EDT

Telling a Story: Trial Skills for the Child Welfare Lawyer
Thursday, Aug 16 at 9:00 AM EDT

RESOURCES WITH ONGOING VALUE

After the Injury: PTSD in Kids; Helping Parents Help Their Kids Recover

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Web Page: Information for Healthcare Professionals: The information on this site is intended primarily for parents of injured children, but we hope that it will be informative and useful for health care providers as well. We encourage you to explore the information provided on the website about common reactions post injury and what parents and other family members can do to help. As a healthcare provider there are things that you can do to help injured children and their parents. You can be aware of traumatic stress reactions and risk factors, and provide anticipatory guidance that may help to reduce persistent traumatic stress reactions. Link to Professional’s Page  Includes a link to parent’s page.

LINKS FROM CHILD INFORMATION GATEWAY WEB SITE

Child Welfare, Race, and Disparity: New Findings, New Opportunities [Webcast].
Child and Family Policy Forum. Wulczyn, Fred. Fenner, Eric. Mattingly, John. Snowden, Lonnie. Stagner, Matthew. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago 2012 Link to Webcast

In Their Own Voices: Trauma Survivors’ Experiences in Overcoming Childhood Trauma.
Morrow, Jennifer Ann. Clayman, Sharon. McDonagh, Bonnie. The University of Tennessee. SAGE Open2012  Link to Full Free Article  Link to Article as pdf

Interventions Addressing Child Exposure to Trauma: Part 1: Child Maltreatment and Family Violence. Ford, Julian D. 2012 Link to Article  Link to Article as pdf

Child Maltreatment 2010: Key Findings and Additional Analyses [Webinar].
Nolan, Catherine. Samuels, Bryan. United States. Children’s Bureau. 2012
Link to .wmv file

Updated Trends in Child Maltreatment.
Finkelhor, David. Jones, Lisa. Shattuck, Anne. University of New Hampshire.
Crimes Against Children Research Center. 2011 Link to Article

Knowing the Best of What’s Out There: Understanding and Identifying Evidence-Based Practices in Child Welfare [Webinar]. Walsh, Cambria Rose. Zimmet, Blake. The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. 2011 Link to .wmv file

Preventing and Mitigating the Effects of Childhood Violence and Trauma: An Interview With Carl C. Bell, MD. Health Care Innovations Exchange Team 2012
Link to Article

Focusing on Well-Being: Developing a Protective Factors Framework for Youth in Care [Webinar]. Browne, Charlyn Harper. Notkin, Susan.
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections. 2012
Link to Audio of Webinar

Coordination of Child Death Review and Citizens Review Panels: Maximizing the Opportunities to Improve Systems and Prevent Fatal Abuse and Neglect [Webinar].
Covington, Teri; National Center for the Review and Prevention of Child Death. 2012
Link to Listen Only Webinar

Feb 7-14: CA&N Media Articles and Resources

Some recent media articles and resources relating to child abuse and neglect. If you have items that you think would be helpful to include in this occasional post, please forward them to me at the email in my signature block.

These stories were chosen because of their perceived relevance to the child welfare community.  MiPSAC is not responsible for the views expressed in any of these articles, nor does it take a position for or against the positions expressed in the articles.  They are presented merely to provide a sampling of what the media is saying about child welfare.

Charlie Enright, JD, MSW
4907 Foster Rd.
Midland, MI  48642
(989) 600-9696
[email protected]
Secretary,
Michigan Professional Society on Abuse of Children, MiPSAC

This and previous posts can be found at: http://www.mipsac.org/category/can-articles

RECENT MEDIA ARTICLES

Bill to Help Victims of Sexual Abuse Sue Perpetrator in Michigan

Feb 13, UpNorthLive.com: There is a new bill floating around Lansing that seeks to extend the age limit that a victim of sexual abuse can sue the perpetrator. “All the bill does is extend the statute of limitations for civil action against the perpetrator of criminal sexual child abuse for 10 years after they reach maturity,” said State Rep. Mark Meadows, D – East Lansing. Right now, victims in the state of Michigan are unable to sue after the age of 19. That limit would be pushed back to 28. Link to Article

Mission to Protect: Strategies to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children

Feb 13, Midland Daily News: Protecting children, staff and volunteers is a paramount and constant mission for local groups providing youth activities. Link to Article
From: www.stopitnow.org
Questions to ask of programs
Adult behavior that raises concerns about sexual abuse
Sexual abuse warning signs

Mount Clemens Priest Suspended After Parishioner Charged in Sex Assault

Feb 12, Macomb Daily: The pastor of St. Peter Catholic Parish in Mount Clemens has been temporarily suspended from his priestly duties for failing to provide a safe environment on parish property, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit. Bishop Michael Bynes said in a statement: “There is no allegation of abuse against Fr. Cooney. But the Archdiocese does hold him accountable”. Both the victim and the defendant are parishioners at the church and apparently were caught in the act of having sex during a pancake breakfast after a Mass at the church in mid-December. Link to Article

US Sex Abuse Lawsuit Against Vatican Dismissed

Feb 11, AP/Midland Daily News: Lawyers for a man who was sexually abused decades ago by a priest at a Wisconsin school for the deaf have withdrawn their lawsuit naming Pope Benedict XVI and other top Vatican officials as defendants, a major victory for the Holy See, which has long insisted the pope bears no liability for the actions of an abusive priest. Link to Article

U-M Leader: ‘Serious Failure’ in Child Porn Case

Feb 10, The Times Herald: The University of Michigan botched the response to child pornography found on a computer flash drive at a campus hospital, the school’s president said Friday, noting that a six-month delay in reporting it was a “serious failure.” An internal investigation determined that a hospital attorney aware of the incident decided after a month there was not enough evidence to summon police and closed the matter in June. The case was reopened by fall and charges were filed against a man who was a resident physician. The flash drive containing child porn was found in a staff lounge. The delay was a “serious failure on the part of our institution — there is simply no other way to describe it,” U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a statement accompanying the report. Link to Article

Details of Snyder’s Budget Plan

Feb 09, AP, Detroit News: Highlights of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s $48.2 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts in October:

Education

  • K-12 schools would receive a 1 percent funding increase compared to the money received in the current budget plan. Much of the additional money is set aside for schools that can seek “best practices” bonuses by offering dual enrollment or advanced placement courses, offering online or “blended” learning, and other practices. Another portion would be set aside for bonuses for school districts that can demonstrate academic achievement in math and reading for 3rd through 8th graders and in several subjects at the high school level. Districts would get $179 million toward teacher pension costs, similar to help they’re receiving this year.
  • About $12.5 million would be added to this fiscal year’s early education spending with part of the state budget surplus. About $115 million would go toward early education in the next fiscal year.
  • Increases funding for operations to Michigan’s 15 public universities by 3 percent. The increase is tied to some improvements in graduation measures and also to limiting tuition increases to 4 percent or less.
  • State aid to community colleges would increase by 3 percent, with money distributed based on degrees earned in high-demand fields. Link to Article

Foster Care Gap: State Will Tap Federal Funds to Aid Youths Ages 18-21

Feb 08, Detroit Free Press: Soon, Michigan will tap into federal funds that will extend support to young adults in foster care until their 21st birthdays. These services are critical, coming at a time when at-risk young people either are getting a foothold on life or are in danger of slipping into the public welfare system. Each year, more than 500 foster youth age out of Michigan’s foster system, some at just 18, with no family support. A new state law is part of a federal push to improve outcomes for these young adults. In Michigan, it will mean three additional years of financial help, counseling and life-skills training for youth who age out at 18. The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act became law in October 2008, and was considered by some to be one of the most significant changes to national foster care policy in a decade or more. In addition to making it easier to keep foster youth with relatives and improve adoption rates, it bolstered support for older youth. One of those provisions set aside federal funds for states that extend care to youths until they turn 21, provided those young adults are working or going to school. In Michigan, legislative fiscal analysts have estimated that extending care would add $13.8 million to the budget, though more than half would be reimbursed by federal money. Still, the state didn’t have a lot of choice. It’s under a federal court agreement to drastically improve outcomes for its foster youth. Link to Article

Mt. Morris Couple Accused in Child Abuse and Pornography Case Involving Infant

Feb 08, Mlive.com: Neighbors of Dan and Alisha Hall, charged Tuesday with sexually abusing their infant daughter and possessing hundreds of child pornography images, said they kept their distance from the couple. Daniel and Alisha Hall of Mt. Morris were arraigned Tuesday in Genesee District Court. Police believe Daniel Hall sexually abused his six-month-old daughter while Alisha Hall photographed the abuse. Link to Article

Grandfather, Mother sentenced for Coercing Girl to Recant Allegations That Grandfather Molested Her

Feb 08, Macomb Daily: A 71-year-old man and his adult daughter used shopping, a movie and potential loss of his financial support to coerce his 11-year-old granddaughter into recanting her accusation that he molested her in a Utica motel. They were sentenced to two years probation each after they pleaded no contest to obstruction of justice in exchange for dismissal of witnesses bribery or intimidation charge. The sentence displeased the girl’s father, a 38-year-old Lincoln Park man whose name is being withheld to protect his daughter’s identity. His daughter is receiving psychiatric care. He said he would like to have seen the grandfather behind bars. Link to Article

Department of Human Services Mentor Earns State Honor

Feb 08, Morning Sun: Selene Wadhawan, who has worked for the Michigan Department of Human Services for 12 years, has mentored many youth. Wadhawan, a children’s services supervisor at the DHS office in Mt. Pleasant, recently won a state award for her efforts in mentoring foster youth. Michigan DHS Director Maura Corrigan telephoned Wadhawan with the news late last month, and she has the award on display in her office. Wadhawan, who founded the Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative youth board in Isabella and Midland counties, was the first recipient of the Outstanding Mentor Award, which recognizes a DHS employee who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to mentoring foster youth. Link to Article

Detroit Schools’ No. 1 Mission: Getting Kids to Class

Feb 8, NPR: Ask Detroit teachers about their biggest challenge, and many will say, “You can’t teach kids who don’t come to class.” Last year, the average Detroit public high school student missed at least 28 days of school. Now, as part of its effort to get parents more involved, the district has launched a major initiative to improve attendance. The effort includes parent workshops and attendance agents charged with pushing parents to send their kids to school every day. Link to NPR Article

Detroit To Parents: Time To Get Involved In Education

Feb 7, NPR: In Detroit, officials say they are trying everything they can to revive the city’s public school system, from replacing dilapidated buildings to hiring new school leaders. Detroit Public Schools is also focusing on a neglected piece of the education equation: parents. The effort to involve parents in public education in Detroit focuses on a lot of little things, like “the homework corner” in Myesha Williams’ house on Doris Street. “The homework corner is awesome!” Williams says, beaming. With eight children — five still in school — Williams’ home is packed tight. But unlike many families in this city, Williams has set aside a special corner to help her kids focus. The Detroit Parent Network, a local nonprofit working with the school system, has outfitted Williams’ homework space to look like a classroom, complete with a neat bookshelf, a whiteboard and framed pictures. The idea is that this home will serve as a model that neighbors will emulate. Link to NPR Article

RESOURCES WITH TIME LIMITED VALUE

Weiss Advocacy Center to Host Lectures About Child Abuse

Feb 12, Flint Journal: Flint, Michigan: The Weiss Advocacy Center‘ 2012 Speaker Series will feature presentations about child abuse and its effects, and how to recognize child predators.

Feb. 27, John Micsak will give a presentation on the long-term effects of abuse on a child’s brain, and how those can sometimes lead to behavioral issues “This is the Brain. This is the Brain After Abuse.”.

March 26, Dr. Edwin Gullekson  will discuss how to recognize physical and behavioral signs of abuse that are most common in children who are abused “What does Abuse Look Like?”.

April 16, Clayton Township Police Chief Mike Powers will discuss how to recognize pedophiles and how they lure parents into trusting them. “What Do Predators Look Like?”

From the Foster Youth In Transition DHS Website:

2012 Michigan Teen Conference! Take Charge of your Journey Youth ages 14 – 21 who are in foster care or independent living are invited to the annual teen conference at Ferris State University on June 19-20. Request YIT funds now for youth registration fees. Click here for cost and registration information.

FREE EVENT: COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY!!
If you are a high school senior, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the end of February for the following school year! College Goal Sunday is being held at over 35 locations across the state and youth can come complete the FAFSA with the help of professional financial aid administrators. Go to http://www.micollegegoal.org/ to find the location near you! Don’t miss out on being eligible for college funding! University of Michigan – Dearborn campus also offers a foster youth specific Collage Goal Sunday. Click here for more information.

Upcoming SCAO Off-Site Programs

Review the list of programs below. Click on each program title to review a summary of the program and featured faculty. Enrolling in an Upcoming Off-Site Program: To enroll click on a program title below then choose “Register” in the summary box. Complete the registration form as requested and click “Continue”.

Based on a True Story: Best Practice for Child Welfare Professionals : Wednesday, Mar 14 at 9:00 AM EDT

Self-Care for Child Welfare Professionals: Avoiding Burnout : Friday, Mar 16 at 9:00 AM EDT

Impacting Development: Considerations for Child Welfare Professionals About the Developmental Consequences of Abuse and Neglect : Wednesday, May 9 at 9:00 AM EDT

Testifying in Court for Non Lawyers : Thursday, May 24 at 9:00 AM EDT

Child Welfare Advanced Appellate Training : Thursday, Jun 21 at 9:00 AM EDT

The ICWA “Qualified Expert Witness” Testimony to Protect the Best Interests of the Indian Child : Wednesday, Aug 8 at 9:00 AM EDT

Upcoming SCAO Webinar Programs
Click on the program title to review a summary of the program and featured faculty. Enrolling in an Upcoming Program: To enroll please click on a program title below then choose “Register” in the summary box. Complete the registration form as requested and click “Continue”.
Appeals by Leave: What Child Welfare Attorneys Need to Know : Tuesday, Feb 21 at 12:00 PM EST

The 18th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Washington DC

April 16-20, 2012 is sponsored by the Children’s Bureau’s Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) and features child welfare leaders and experts including; practitioners, policy makers, cutting-edge researchers, and advocates. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn from these individuals: influence and shape practice, policy, and research; and network with professionals dedicated to the well-being of our nation’s children and families. Link to Registration Page

RESOURCES WITH ONGOING VALUE

From the Foster Youth In Transition DHS Website:

The FYIT web site was the result of a recommendation made by the Statewide Task Force on Youth Transitioning from Foster Care in 2006. Over 100 members from public and private organizations that care about improving services to foster youth participated. Youth representatives were part of the Task Force and acted as a lead for each of the six subcommittees that consisted of the State Court Administrative Office, Child Welfare Services Division; the Governor’s Task Force on Children’s Justice; the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Institute; the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman; and Children’s Charter of the Courts of Michigan. The site provides information on a variety of issues important to current and former foster youth, as well as, links to other sites that share information on how to develop supports, find services, get answers to important questions and keep you posted on what’s new.

http://www.michigan.gov/fyit

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) is a way for youth who experience foster care to share their experiences so that services can be improved. Hearing back from youth allows DHS and the community to better understand how foster care impacts young people and how they can change policies and improve resources to make it better. Your participation matters! It makes sure Michigan does not make decisions about you, without you!

A Handbook for Youth In Foster Care – Now Available!
Recent changes in financial aid expand college opportunities for foster youth. See how these changes may affect you.

Child Abuse Evaluation & Treatment for Medical Providers

Provides a single, comprehensive source of child abuse information that offers tools and resources with which to diagnose and manage child and adolescent abuse victims. It is a resource for medical providers who do not have a background or expertise in child abuse pediatrics and are striving to develop best practice standards for their patient care setting. The website is a book and is organized by chapters. You can access information in three ways: use the Table of Contents, the A-Z Index, or enter key words in the search box. This website should not take the place of consultation with a child abuse medical expert or careful case review with a multidisciplinary team. Link to Site

YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTARY FOSTER CARE

Extending Foster Care to Age 21 – On Adoption Day, Nov. 22, 2011, Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Act (Public Acts 225 through 230 of 2011) that will allow Michigan foster youth to voluntarily remain under state care until age 21 if they are in job training, in college, employed or disabled. Extended benefits are made possible by the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, which gave states the option to receive matching federal funds to extend financial assistance through federal Title IV-E funding to eligible foster youth. The Michigan Department of Human Services is awaiting approval of the state plan from the federal government, with the program launch planned for April 2012. The Q&A below provides an overview of the program: Link to DHS Info on This Program

MICHIGAN APPELLATE COURT CASES

Court: Michigan Court of Appeals (Unpublished)

Case Name: In re Swiss

The court found no clear error given respondent’s negative history as to parental rights (his parental rights to two other children were previously terminated), “his predilection to engage in criminal behavior resulting in multiple terms of imprisonment and reflecting an inability to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law,” the nature of his criminal acts – “actions pertaining to narcotics trafficking and intimidating/assaultive behavior, his current state of incarceration and the length of sentence absent identification of a family member or relative who could act as the child’s temporary caregiver, and given the fact that respondent chose to continue his criminal ways and risk imprisonment instead of taking advantage of the opportunity to fully participate in services after the petitioner-DHS first became involved.”, all played a role” in the termination of his parental rights, not incarceration alone. Contrary to respondent’s arguments, Mason was distinguishable and did not require reversal. Full Text Opinion.

Feb 1-7: CA&N Media Articles and Resources

Some recent media articles and resources relating to child abuse and neglect.  If you have items that you think would be helpful to include in this occasional post, please forward them to me at the email in my signature block.

These stories were chosen because of their perceived relevance to the child welfare community.  MiPSAC is not responsible for the views expressed in any of these articles, nor does it take a position for or against the positions expressed in the articles.  They are presented merely to provide a sampling of what the media is saying about child welfare.

Charlie Enright, JD, MSW
4907 Foster Rd.
Midland, MI  48642
(989) 600-9696
[email protected]
Secretary,
Michigan Professional Society on Abuse of Children, MiPSAC

This and previous posts can be found at: http://www.mipsac.org/category/can-articles

RECENT MEDIA ARTICLES

Staff Removed At LA School During Abuse Probe

Feb 07,  Associated Press/at NPR; The entire staff at a Los Angeles elementary school is being removed while authorities investigate horrific allegations of sexual abuse by two of the school’s teachers, one of whom is accused of blindfolding children, taping their mouths and photographing them in a classroom. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy said Monday night that more than 120 staff members at Miramonte Elementary School — everyone from the principal and teachers to the cafeteria workers — were being replaced because a full investigation of the allegations will be disruptive and staffers will require support to get through the scandal. Link to NPR Article

Cardinal: Pope Merits Thanks On Abuse, Not Attacks

Feb 06,  Associated Press/at NPR; A top American cardinal on Monday defended Pope Benedict’s handling of sexual abuse cases by clergy, saying he should be praised not criticized, as advocates for abuse victims demanded that the Vatican release its secret files on pedophile priests. Cardinal William Levada told a Vatican-backed symposium on safeguarding children that Benedict had been “instrumental” in implementing standards to crack down on pedophile clergy as well as supportive of U.S. bishops’ efforts to fight the abuse. Before becoming pontiff, Benedict held Levada’s job as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the church office ensuring doctrinal purity and, in recent decades, also shaping the Holy See’s policies on handling abuse cases involving clergy. Link to NPR Article

State Policy Blocks Waterford Township Couple From Foster Care.

Feb 06, Oakland Press: Gabrielle and Ivan Lima started out a year and a half ago with hope in their hearts of providing a home to foster children and finally adopting one or more of their own. But today, the room they fixed up for a baby and toddler on the main floor of their ranch-style home is now home to foster kittens, which they are caring for on behalf of the Oakland County Pet Adoption Center until they can be adopted. The Limas said they find themselves in an ironic situation because they have been reading stories about the dire need for foster parents and they have the needed qualifications. Yet, they can’t be approved because they don’t have an egress window in their fully finished basement as required by Michigan Department of Human Services. They said they understand the need if the children’s room was in the basement instead of on the main floor of the home.
In response to the couple’s concerns and allegations, Dave Akerly, spokesman for the DHS said he could not legally comment on a particular case. But he agreed with the couple that an egress window would be required in this kind of case. Having or not having an egress window doesn’t disqualify you unless the basement is being used for a bedroom and/or a children’s play area, he said. “If you are spending time there, there has to be a way out other than the normal stairs,” Akerly explained. Link to Article

Midland Daily News – Feb 06: Every parent’s worst nightmare: A coach who betrays trust with your child It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

Midland Daily News – Feb 06: When coach is a predator, it shocks a community
Robert Bopp had spent much of his adult life coaching boys.

Midland Daily News – Feb 06: Law officials: More than background checks are needed to root out sexual predators
In light of the recent news about coaches sexually assaulting young athletes, Midland County Prosecutor Mike Carpenter has very specific advice for sports organizations.

CDC: Child Abuse, Neglect Cost United States $124 Billion

Feb 4, (WWJ) – The total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed cases of child maltreatment (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse and neglect) is approximately $124 billion, according to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published in Child Abuse and Neglect, The International Journal. The study looked at confirmed child maltreatment cases, 1,740 fatal and 579,000 non–fatal, for a 12–month period. The lifetime cost for each victim of child maltreatment who lived was $210,012. That’s comparable to other costly health conditions, such as stroke with a lifetime cost per person estimated at $159,846 or type 2 diabetes, which is estimated between $181,000 and $253,000. The costs of each death due to child maltreatment are even higher. Link to WWJ Article, Link to CDC website and CAN Journal Article.

Authorities Probe Video Showing Questionable Parenting Style

Feb 3, WNEM: A YouTube video that shows parents feeding their child is at the center of an investigation. The kid can be seen screaming as his mother puts spoonfuls of food in his mouth.

A detective with the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Department said the boy was 2 years old at the time the video was shot. He said a relative shot the video. The Sanilac County prosecutor will review the report from the Sheriff’s Department. He has not said anything about formal charges. “When I got a chance to witness the video, I was appalled,” said CAN Council Child Abuse and Prevention Director Vera Harrison. Still, the video is the topic of much debate. By late Friday evening it had already garnered nearly 63,000 views on YouTube. Link to Article/Video

Woman Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse, Torture

Feb 3, The Detroit News: A 34-year-old Oceola Township woman was arrested Friday on first degree child abuse and torture charges for the abuse of her 3-year-old stepgrandson. Police said Sara Rae Walters caused more than 60 injuries to the boy, including subdural hematoma, which is a collection of blood on the surface of the brain. The boy also suffered superficial lacerations and contusions. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department began an investigation in October after the boy was admitted to University of Michigan hospital Pediatric Intensive Care unit. Walters faces life in prison for the abuse and torture charges. She is in the Livingston County Jail. Bond was set at $200,000 cash or surety. No more info in Article

Mom Accused of Prompting 11-year-old to Steal from Macomb Township Kroger

Feb 03, The Voice: A 29-year-old mother is accused of sending her 11-year-old daughter into the Macomb Township Kroger with a shopping list and the intention of her not paying, according to a Macomb County Sheriff’s Department report from Jan. 27. The mother, Kimberly Ryan Swift of Macomb Township, waited in the vehicle with her two other children, ages 5 and 8, as the 11-year-old loaded up with the cart with items and then walked out without paying. Swift was then taken into and held at the Macomb County Jail; Child Protective Services was also notified and the three juveniles were turned over to family members. Swift was arraigned and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and retail fraud.  Link to Article

Investigation of U-M Resident Physician Was Not Handled Correctly, Officials Say

Feb 03, Ann Arbor Journal: A delay of about six months between when a U of M resident physician was reported to possess child pornography and when the police investigation began is unacceptable, according to university officials. Procedures for how this type of activity is reported are being reviewed. The delay is attributed to the case not being properly forwarded to university police for investigation. A resident physician found child pornography on a USB drive in the Pediatric Emergency Department in May, according to published reports. She reported the illegal image she found on the device to supervisors, hospital security and Office of the General Counsel. The case was initially dismissed due to lack of evidence. A hospital security official came forward with the case in November. University of Michigan spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the university acknowledges allegations first reported in May were not addressed correctly. “We are absolutely committed to correcting that,” Fitzgerald said. Link to Article

Stepgrandmother Says Stevens Sported ‘Huge Smile’ About an Hour After His Son Died

Feb 01, Jackson Citizen Patriot: As Deborah Anderson walked through the hospital, about an hour after her stepgrandson died of a serious head injury, she passed by the baby’s father, Adam Stevens, and was struck cold by the “huge smile” on his face. “It was totally out of place for what had just happened,” Anderson testified Wednesday during Stevens’ trial. Stevens, 29, is accused of felony murder and first-degree child abuse in the August 2010 death of nearly 3-month-old Kian. The injuries that killed Kian were inflicted by another person, the pathologist who performed the autopsy testified. “It is not an accidental injury,” said Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen, professor and director of autopsy and forensic services for the University of Michigan Department of Pathology. Jentzen and Dr. Bethany Mohr of the University of Michigan Health System’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital said Kian died of abusive head trauma. Link to Article

Michigan Father Fights Law to Gain Custody of Daughter

Jan 30, Click-On Detroit: A Hartland man is fighting to change a 1956 Michigan law which he says prevents him from seeing his daughter. The Paternity Act states that if a child is conceived during a marriage the child is automatically presumed to be a product of that marriage. DNA testing proves Quinn is the father, but the child was conceived while her mother Candace Beckwith was married to another man. The legally recognized father is now in an Ohio prison for drug trafficking. The mother, apparently, was also implicated. Still, says Quinn, “I have no standing whatsoever to claim paternity rights for my daughter.” The girl is now living with her mother in Kentucky. “This law that was supposed to make sure that a child born out of wedlock had a father in their life has literally stripped her of any father in her life,” Quinn said. The Michigan Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would allow a judge in cases like this to give consideration to the biological father. Quinn is confident the House will approve the bill this year. Link to Article

Sex Slaves Nationwide; Hundreds Exploited as Modern Day Slaves in West Michigan

Jan 29, WOOD-TV: An estimated 2400 children are living as slaves in West Michigan, according to the US Department of State. They’re tricked, kidnapped or sold into human trafficking rings. Police continue to find them and non-profit organizations continue to work toward rehabilitation. “We’re getting victims so it’s not so much a question of if it’s happening,” Andy Soper with Wedgwood Christian Services said. Link to Article

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Child Welfare Outcomes 2006–2009: Report to Congress is the tenth in a series of reports from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The publication is designed to inform Congress and professionals related to the child welfare field about national and State performance on several measures of outcomes for children served by child welfare systems throughout the country. The outcomes address the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children, and focus on widely accepted performance objectives for child welfare practice.
Child Welfare Outcomes 2006–2009 is solely available in electronic format. You can find the full report, along with a 12-page Executive Summary brochure, at the Children’s Bureau’s website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cwo06-09
Report data also can be found on the new Child Welfare Outcomes data site, which makes the latest data available for you to view in a variety of ways according to your needs: http://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/data
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