For too long, families like mine have been misled, mistreated, and manipulated by a system that claims to protect—but instead, it punishes. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is supposed to follow the law, uphold ethics, and act in the best interest of children. But what I’ve witnessed is far from that.

DCFS does not follow the book. They bend rules, ignore evidence, and make decisions that devastate families without transparency or accountability. They operate behind closed doors, leaving us in the dark about why decisions are being made and what evidence is being considered, if any at all. This lack of openness breeds an environment where injustices can thrive unchecked, tearing families apart and causing deep emotional trauma.

It's astonishing that an agency tasked with the welfare of children operates with such opacity and disregard for due process. According to the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, over 200,000 children are separated from their families each year in the United States, often unnecessarily. Our family was one such statistic, thrust into a nightmare without proper evidence or legal recourse.

We need full transparency in the operations of DCFS. Families deserve to know the rightful procedures, and any deviation from these guidelines must be held accountable. Independent oversight is crucial to assess and monitor DCFS’s actions and ensure their decisions are in the best interest of children and their families. An independent body can serve as a check to ensure due process is followed, and justice is served.

Alongside transparency and oversight, justice for harmed families is imperative. Those who have unjustly suffered deserve the opportunity to have their cases reviewed and rectified. Mistakes need to be acknowledged, and remedial action must be taken. The emotional scars of wrongful separation can last a lifetime, and families deserve closure and healing.

The time for change is now. We must hold DCFS accountable, demand transparency, and ensure an independent body oversees their actions. This fight is not just for my family but for all families who have been or could be affected by unjust practices. Together, we can reform a broken system and truly protect our children.

Please sign this petition to advocate for transparency, independent oversight, and justice in the Department of Children and Family Services. Your signature can help bring about necessary change.