In October 2022, my life took a heartfelt turn when I welcomed my foster son into my home. His biological mother, battling a disease, had him removed from her care after he was discharged from the hospital. I couldn't bear the thought of him entering the foster care system, so I stepped up. I dealt with CPS and foster care coming in my home 1-2 times each month for over two and a half years. In my home, he built a secure attachment to me, built a bond with all family members that have been involved with my bio kids, and my triplets (2 at the time) welcomed him as a sibling. My triplets and him have built a strong bond with my foster son since he entered the home.

However, our familial harmony was disrupted when a false report was filed against me about three months ago, prompting Child Protective Services (CPS) to intervene in my life in a manner that extended beyond my role as a kinship foster parent. Fortunately, the case was deemed unfounded and I received a letter indicating the case was closed about two weeks ago, but the ordeal was far from over. CPS is back in our lives, this time due to behaviors that are typical of child development. This ongoing scrutiny is more than a mere inconvenience; it is causing significant psychological distress for everyone involved, especially the children.

The systems designed to protect families and children sometimes end up causing unintended harm due to outdated practices and unnecessary interventions. It's imperative that the Family Court System and CPS in New York reevaluate their approaches to ensure they truly act in the best interest of children and families. Reforms need to be implemented that minimize psychological damage while preserving the family's integrity.

Statistically, children who remain with their families, when safe to do so, have better outcomes in terms of emotional stability and overall well-being. According to the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, excessive intervention by CPS often leads to more harm than good, with psychological damage being a significant unintended consequence. In my situation, my biological kids have been involved in this excessive intervention that continues to impact their psychological well-being to the point where they have mentioned to me that they are scared “the people” as my kids call CPS and foster care, are going to come back and take them. One of my kids has needed extra support from myself because she blamed herself, at age 4, that she is the reason my foster son was taken because she bit him. When my kids questioned CPS and foster care about where my foster son was on initial intake, they were provided with “I need my space” during a time of vulnerability as they don’t understand why the system has removed who they consider their little brother from their home.

We propose the following actionable changes:

1. **Review and Reform**: Conduct a thorough review of current policies and practices in both the Family Court System and CPS, focusing on minimizing psychological harm and safety.
2. **Training and Education**: Improve training for CPS workers and family court officials, highlighting the latest in child psychology and family dynamics.
3. **Foster Family Support**: Establish robust support systems for foster families, ensuring they have the resources necessary to provide stable and nurturing environments.

By implementing these changes, New York can lead the way in transforming our family support systems to truly promote and protect the psychological well-being of children and families. Sign this petition to urge local lawmakers and officials to reform the Family Court and Child Protective Services systems for the betterment of all who seek a more just and compassionate approach.