I lost three of my children to Child Protective Services (CPS) due to a chain of lies and failures in the system. My caseworker lied about my circumstances in court, and my lawyer, who should have been my ally, failed to provide the support and advocacy that I desperately needed. The foster mother, who had temporary custody of my son, allowed him to call her 'mom', which was heartbreaking and undermined my role as his mother. During the safety meetings, I was constantly pressured to relinquish my parental rights. Adding insult to injury, I was denied my rightful three-hour visitation with my children. When my rights were unjustly taken, my kids were adopted out—against my will and without a fair process. My story is not unique; it echoes the experiences of many parents who have faced similar injustices.

The current practices within Child Protective Services need urgent reform to prevent further corruption and suffering of families. The system designed to protect children sometimes inadvertently harms more than it helps, with caseworkers, courts, and other stakeholders at times failing to act in the best interests of the children or their families. There are alarming accounts of CPS workers fabricating information, manipulation tactics during court proceedings, and unwarranted pressures placed on parents to give up their rights.

According to a report from the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, many families involved with CPS are subjected to unnecessary trauma, and children are often placed in foster care when they could have been safely left with their families or extended family members. Current laws and protocols allow for a level of discretion that unfortunately leads to abuses of power.

To remedy this, we demand the following changes: First, implement rigorous oversight and accountability measures for CPS caseworkers. Second, ensure all hearings and processes are transparently monitored by independent bodies to eliminate biases and personal agendas. Third, guarantee parents the full legal support and fair representation that they deserve throughout the process. Lastly, prioritize the preservation of family units whenever safely possible, steering children away from foster care unless absolutely necessary.

It is time to overhaul the system to restore trust, fairness, and integrity. Children deserve to stay with their loving families, and parents deserve a fair chance to care for their children without undue interference. Please sign this petition to demand justice and proper reforms within Child Protective Services to protect families from unwarranted separations. Together, we can advocate for a fairer, more transparent CPS system that truly serves the best interests of children and their families. Please sign this petition to support this crucial cause.