Federal Funding Provides Incentives for States to Take Children Away from Families Even When No Abuse is Present

When Child Protective Services (CPS) takes children from a loving, non-abusive family, the parents, and sometimes grandparents, aunts, and uncles, often seek out information about what is happening. Many gravitate toward groups on social media that provide education and support for those fighting CPS for their children. As the confused parents try to sort out the information and learn how to get their children back, one question dominates their search: How can this happen in America? Federal legislation enshrined in CAPTA and ASFA provide federal funding to states for foster care. For too long, these legislative acts have enabled and incentivized states taking children from innocent parents who have committed no crime, who have not abused their children. By any definition this is human trafficking. It is time to cut off the flow of tax dollars for the destruction of families, and instead find ways to help and support families.