The California Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Child Protective Services (CPS) have caused irreversible harm to families by removing children without due process, based on false reports and unverified claims. Social workers are often not held accountable, even when they commit perjury or fabricate evidence in court. Families deserve protection, not persecution. We are calling on the California Legislature to pass the California Social Worker Accountability and Competency Act (CSWACA), which will require body cameras on all social workers during field visits, GPS tracking on government vehicles, and 24/7 monitoring of office phones, emails, and video phones to ensure transparency. This law will also separate police and social workers during investigations, prohibit conflicts of interest involving nonprofit board members and sign language interpreters, and require all abuse claims to be investigated by a neutral independent unit. Most importantly, it will allow families to sue DCFS and social workers in federal court for civil rights violations, perjury, and wrongful child removal. Social workers who lie under oath will face jail time and fines up to $150,000. This reform is urgent, necessary, and personal. Too many families—especially those who are deaf, disabled, LGBTQ+, or low-income—have suffered because of unchecked power. Help us bring justice and accountability to California’s child welfare system. Sign and share.

Stolen Children by CPS