A Guilford County, NC resident is facing a deeply frustrating and potentially harmful situation with Child Protective Services (CPS). Their case, which began on March 5th, 2023, remains unresolved without any intervention from the court system or a clear path towards reunification with their children. This experience highlights several troubling issues within the system:
 * Unqualified Social Worker: The resident's case is being managed by an unlicensed social worker. This individual has made repeated, unfounded allegations regarding the resident's truthfulness and compliance with drug screenings. These accusations damage the resident's reputation and create roadblocks in the reunification process.
 * Lack of Transparency and Goals:  CPS has failed to provide concrete steps that the resident must take to regain custody. This lack of guidance and support creates a sense of helplessness and prolongs an already stressful situation.
 * Systemic Failure: The resident's experience is not an isolated incident.  Statistics from  The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) indicate that a significant percentage of children removed from homes could remain safely with their families if given adequate resources and support. This suggests a systemic tendency to prioritize removal over interventions that preserve family units.
The Petition's Urgent Demands:
The petition calls for both immediate action and long-term systemic change:
 * Immediate Relief: The resident demands a case review by a licensed social worker to establish clear reunification goals and address the false allegations hindering their progress.
 * Overdue Reforms: The petition advocates for mandatory reviews of all cases exceeding a certain time limit without court involvement. This would ensure timely resolution and prevent cases from stagnating without direction.
 * Systemic Change:  The core demands include prioritizing family support services over removal whenever safe, ensuring all CPS social workers are fully licensed, and implementing external oversight to hold the system accountable.
The petition seeks to transform a personal struggle into a catalyst for positive change within Guilford County's child welfare system.

These allegations are distressing and damaging, but they are also part of a larger problem. According to data from "The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), an estimated 28% of children removed from their homes by CPS could have remained safely in their homes with appropriate services and support."


We cannot let unethical practices continue unchecked; we must advocate for those who can't speak up themselves – our children. Please sign this petition if you believe in justice for families like mine who have been wronged by those meant to protect them.