My son was adopted and I was never given a chance to try nor was I helped; he was just taken. This is not just my story, but the story of countless parents who feel voiceless and destroyed by the current practices of social services. The decision to remove a child from their home should be a last resort, not an immediate solution without offering the families the support they need.

Parents facing difficulties deserve to be supported, guided, and given every opportunity to succeed in creating a safe and nurturing environment for their children. Many of us need help, not judgment, as we navigate the complexities of parenthood under challenging circumstances. Tragically, social services too often jump straight to removal without first engaging with families in constructive ways.

Studies show that children have better long-term outcomes when they remain in their homes, provided those environments can be safely improved with appropriate support. National studies reflect that more than 400,000 children are in foster care annually, with many cases potentially avoidable if early and effective interventions were employed. By offering counseling, financial assistance, parenting resources, and community support, families can overcome hurdles that might initially seem insurmountable.

We urge policymakers and social service agencies to adopt a more compassionate and holistic approach to family preservation. Develop systems where social workers are trained to offer tangible assistance before legal action is taken. Implement policies that require exhaustive measures be tried before the drastic step of removing a child from their home is considered.

Protecting children is paramount, but tearing families apart without trying every avenue of support does more harm than good. Let's reshape the system to one that fosters hope, resilience, and above all, keeps families together when possible. Please join me in calling for much-needed changes to this broken system. Sign this petition to demand action towards building a system that prioritizes family integrity and the well-being of children by supporting parents first.

Families should be given choices before their flesh and blood is pulled away from them. Offer mother and baby units, family residentials if concern for abuse or neglect is there. But on top of that have the parents in parental classes and therapy if that is needed. Listen to both mother and father and all they say. Don't assume parents are lying!

I lost my son at the worry of abusive and neglectful environment because I have Borderline personality disorder and my son's father has CPTSD. Mental health does not make parents bad parents, and it should not be seen that way. 

If we were offered a mother and baby unit or family residential instead of our son being put in foster care mayne we would have him with us and he would definitely be happy, safe, nurtured etc. 

Stop socail services from taking children as a first resort! Children need there parents!