I am a former foster child, and this issue weighs heavily on my heart. Growing up in the foster care system was a challenging experience, and as an adult, I had hoped to move beyond the pain and instability it often caused. Instead, I find myself caught in a similar cycle, now as a parent. Despite my efforts to provide a loving and supportive environment for my children, the child protective services (CPS) system has taken them away from me, based on circumstances eerily similar to my own childhood experiences. Without conducting proper due diligence, CPS has forcibly removed my three children from my care. This separation is unjust and only perpetuates the cycle of family disintegration that I endured. It is a cycle that many former foster children face as adults, as the system seems quick to target us rather than offer the assistance and understanding we need.

The foster care and child protective services system is fundamentally flawed in its approach towards former foster individuals. Statistics from various sources show that former foster care youth are at a higher risk of having their children taken away by CPS. This is an alarming trend that signals a systemic failure. Studies have demonstrated that children do best when they can remain with their families, provided it is safe to do so. Instead of working to support families and provide resources for them to thrive, the system often errs on the side of removal, which can be detrimental to the well-being of both parents and children.

To address these pressing issues, we propose significant reforms to the foster care system. Firstly, there should be mandatory training for CPS workers to understand the unique challenges faced by former foster individuals and to ensure that they are treated with fairness and empathy. Implementing a more comprehensive review process could help prevent unnecessary family separations by ensuring that all alternatives are considered first. Additionally, creating a network of support for former foster individuals could help them better navigate parenthood and break the cycle of systemic failure.

We call on lawmakers, child welfare officials, and community leaders to take immediate action in reforming the foster care system. We aim to create a system that genuinely protects children and supports families, rather than tearing them apart. By signing this petition, you are helping to advocate for a system that recognizes the potential for change and redemption in every family dynamic. Let's work together to end this cycle and build a future where families can remain united and thrive together.

Child Protective Services shall be prohibited from initiating or sustaining child removals based on unsubstantiated, speculative, or materially false allegations. Prior to any removal, CPS must meet a clearly defined evidentiary threshold, supported by verifiable facts and documented investigation, and obtain supervisory approval confirming that the allegations are accurate, complete, and not misleading by omission or mischaracterization. Social workers and agency representatives shall be subject to legal accountability for knowingly making false statements, misrepresenting facts, or omitting exculpatory information in reports, affidavits, or court testimony when such conduct contributes to wrongful removal. Qualified immunity shall not shield intentional or reckless falsehoods that violate due-process protections and result in unlawful family separation. These safeguards are essential to uphold constitutional rights, ensure integrity in child welfare proceedings, and prevent irreparable harm caused by wrongful removals based on unsupported or dishonest claims.