Natasha Jordan

In a major ruling that could reshape how child welfare cases are handled across New York, the state’s highest court has firmly declared that parents have a constitutional right to receive meaningful and effective legal representation when the government seeks to remove their children. The New York Court of Appeals emphasized that the integrity of […]

Foster care advocates in Minnesota are responding with cautious optimism as the state’s Department of Human Services appoints a new Child Safety and Permanency Director. The role, which oversees child protection, foster care, and adoption initiatives, has been under pressure in recent years due to rising caseloads and concerns from both families and service providers.

Federal officials are preparing a new policy designed to help states open more foster homes as the number of children needing placement continues to grow nationwide. The initiative seeks to ease long-standing pressure on child welfare systems, which have struggled for years to keep up with demand. The administration’s proposal focuses on adjusting how foster

In a community center in South Minneapolis, long tables were covered with white cloths filled with handwritten notes—small messages of hope, gratitude and memories from young people who have experienced foster care. These words, collected over many years, welcomed everyone arriving for this year’s Friendsgiving celebration hosted by Connections to Independence, a local organization known

Across Georgia, thousands of children and families are caught in the crossfire of federal gridlock, as Head Start and Early Head Start programs struggle to stay open amid funding delays. These programs, which provide early education, meals, and vital support for low-income families, are among the hardest hit in the nation as the government remains

In Sacramento County, California, a community-based initiative created to support Black families and prevent children from entering foster care is now facing serious financial uncertainty. When 28-year-old Latazia Allen gave birth to her fifth child in 2023, her family was already struggling through domestic violence and homelessness. After arriving at a shelter with her newborn,

In response to an increase in federal immigration activities across Los Angeles County this summer, Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a series of new laws aimed at protecting California’s children and families from aggressive federal enforcement measures. The legislation is designed to safeguard residents from deportation threats and ensure that families remain united even in

When she was in foster care in Minnesota between the ages of 7 and 18, Alayna Ghost frequently attempted to run away—mainly to try to connect with her siblings. She called her mother, grandmother, anyone with whom she thought she could reach a sibling, but no one ever answered. That continued across many placements, until

Alex Adams, recently confirmed as the top federal official for children and families under the Trump administration, made significant changes during his brief 16-month tenure leading Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Adams faced tough questions from lawmakers regarding cost overruns in the state’s foster care program. However, he defended

For years, very little has been known about the personal and emotional lives of foster parents — the people who open their homes to children in need. Now, a Georgia-based researcher is working to change that. Evin Winkelman Richardson, a researcher at the University of Georgia’s Department of Human Development and Family Science, was inspired