In July of 2024, my children were tragically taken from me by Orange County Child Protective Services (CPS), citing an unsafe environment due to a domestic violence case that had occurred seven months before my daughter was born. To add to this, due to an incident from 2012, my case was misconstrued and shifted to focus on drug allegations. Despite consistent efforts to comply and more than a year of negative drug tests since then, my children have not been returned to me. This ongoing struggle is something I know other families are experiencing as well, and it’s time for change.

The problems with Orange County CPS do not only revolve around individual cases like mine but reflect systemic issues. Numerous families in Anaheim and beyond have experienced document falsification, misleading testimonies, and unjust removal of children under the guise of safety concerns. Such actions disrupt family unity and have long-lasting impacts on both parents and children.

A significant issue is the lack of accountability among social workers. Without a stringent system to regulate and review their actions, the chances of misconduct remain high. Often, families find themselves starting from scratch due to frequent changes in social workers, which exacerbates the stress and trauma already endured. This needs to be addressed with urgency to ensure that families are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.

There needs to be an implementation of regulations and oversight that binds social workers to conduct with integrity. Firstly, there should be mandatory independent audits of CPS cases to ensure transparency and that decisions are consistently in the child's best interest. Secondly, a clear protocol for punishment of falsification of documents and any proven malpractice needs to be established to deter unethical behavior.

Furthermore, Orange County must establish a comprehensive and independent review board that involves community representatives and legal experts to oversee CPS actions and intervene whenever there's a suspicion of misconduct. Families should be allowed access to a fair appeal process if they feel wronged by CPS decisions, ensuring their voices and experiences are validated.

Accountability, transparency, and justice should be paramount in any dealings involving the welfare of children and families. I urge the relevant authorities to reform the system in a manner that is just, equitable, and respectful of family bonds. Please join me in demanding that the Orange County CPS operates under principles of fairness and integrity by signing this petition. Our families deserve better. Let's make sure they get it.