North Carolina is facing a crisis with over 10,000 children currently in foster care, yet there are only 5,400 foster homes available. This disparity highlights a significant issue within the Division of Social Services (DSS) system that is supposed to protect our children. Instead, many children are being taken from their biological homes and are not returned, leaving them feeling empty and leading to the development of mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The current system seems to prioritize removing children rather than ensuring their welfare and family unity whenever possible. The trauma experienced by these children is unjust, and the long-term consequences can be severe, affecting their futures and wellbeing.

Every child deserves a safe and loving home environment, and it is crucial for DSS to focus on family preservation rather than removal. Reform is urgently needed to ensure that the rights of parents are respected and that children are not treated as commodities.

It is our responsibility to demand changes that will prioritize keeping families together and providing adequate support for troubled families. Comprehensive reform of the DSS must include increasing oversight, revising policies for child removal, and ensuring transparency in the decision-making processes.

Join us in calling for an overhaul of the DSS system in North Carolina. Sign this petition to protect the future of our children, keeping their safety and mental health a top priority. Together, we can push for a system that works in the best interest of the children and the families they belong to.