Category
Justice / Family / Human Rights

Description
We, the undersigned, call for immediate enforcement of California Welfare and Institutions Code §361.3, which requires that children removed from their homes be given placement priority with qualified relatives.

Across California, there is a growing pattern within Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies where fully approved relatives—who have completed the Resource Family Approval (RFA) process—are being overlooked, delayed, or denied placement.

This is not only unjust—it is unlawful.

California law mandates that relatives be given preferential consideration when they are safe, suitable, and approved. Yet many families are experiencing:

Delays in placement decisions

Lack of communication and transparency

Dismissal of approved caregivers

Bias or retaliation when advocating for placement

Prioritization of non-relative placements over family

These actions violate the law and cause unnecessary trauma to children by separating them from their families.

Children placed with relatives have better emotional, cultural, and long-term outcomes. Ignoring qualified family members is a systemic failure that must be addressed.

Our Demands
We call on California leaders and child welfare agencies to:

Enforce Welfare & Institutions Code §361.3

Require written justification when relatives are denied placement

Establish independent oversight of CPS placement decisions

Ensure timely communication with relatives

Protect caregivers from bias and retaliation

Prioritize placement with approved relatives without delay

Closing Statement
Children belong with family.

No child should be kept from a safe, loving, and approved relative due to agency failure, delay, or bias.

Sign this petition to demand accountability, transparency, and justice for families across California.