25 August 2008
Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents
Child Welfare Information Gateway
All States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico have statutes or regulations requiring background investigations of prospective foster and adoptive parents and all adults residing in their households. In most States, the background investigation includes a check of Federal and State criminal records1. Many States also require checks of child abuse and neglect registries. States may deny approval of a foster care license or adoption application if any adult in the household has been convicted of certain crimes, such as sexual abuse of a minor.
25 August 2008
BBC NEWS | Europe | Jersey | Jersey’s legal system criticised
The detective who led the historic child abuse inquiry in Jersey has strongly attacked the way the island’s legal system is handling the scandal.
25 August 2008
Abuse-call screening is a calculated risk | news-press.com | The News-Press
Florida is overhauling its first point of contact to save endangered children and adults by screening more calls made to the abuse and neglect hotline, a move state leaders argue will free overburdened investigators to spend more time on high-risk reports.
18 August 2008
Judges vow to fix state’s foster-care court – San Jose Mercury News
The California courts approved massive reforms on Friday to the state’s troubled juvenile dependency courts that would ease the overwhelmed system and ensure fairness for those who are “literally and legally the children of the state.”