In 2007, the mother of two 10-year-old twins with significant disabilities went to New Jersey’s Division on DevelopmentalDisabilities for help. They told her they could not help her and suggested she bring her children to the emergency room if she couldn’t handle them. When she did, New Jersey’s child protection system stepped in. They placed her children in a residential treatment center, as the mother hoped they would. But they also stripped the … Read More
Search Results for: they will not win
Dreams, Fights, Dates and Games- Step-parenting challenged me to become a stronger mom.
June 09, 2012 by
Angel was a single father of two and I was a single mother of two whenwe found each other three years ago. Angel and I were soul mates. Bringing our four children together was another story. I never, ever could have imagined what it would take to blend our families.
By the time Angel and I decided to unite our families, we had all visited one another many times and the kids … Read More
‘What Do You Need?’- Approaching parents as partners helps families out of crisis.
May 09, 2012 by
In many places, families who are investigated for child abuse or neglect face an unexpected and unwanted visit from a child protective worker who knocks on the door and announces that she will investigate the family. During the investigation, parents are often focused only on getting child welfare out of their lives—even if they really do need help with practical problems like child care or clothing for their children, or parenting supports that … Read More
The Hard Way- I didn’t understand how being abused in foster care affected me until years after my own child was removed.
May 09, 2012 by
I was a ward of the state of New York from age one until I graduated from high school in 1993. The foster care system saved me because my parents were addicted to drugs and neglected my siblings and me. But it also destroyed me. During my time in foster care, I was in seven different foster homes and two group homes. In five of those homes I experienced physical, sexual and what I … Read More
Out in Front – When my family was investigated, I was terrified but I took charge
May 01, 2012 by
It was August 2nd, 2010, 10:30 p.m. It was 103 degrees and my two children were dirty and sweaty from playing outside. I was running thewater for their bath when the doorbell rang: “Bling-blang, bling-blang.” My 10-year-old son ran to the door and then quickly ran back to the bathroom. “Mommy! Mommy! ACS is at the door.”
“That isn’t even funny to joke about,” I said.
“No mom, really they are … Read More