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Archive for February, 2023

Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith Held in Contempt of Court Yet Again for Lack of Placements for Foster Children After a Youth Spent More than Half a Year in a Psychiatric Hospital Beyond Medical Necessity

Judge Patrick Murphey took a hardline approach to DCFS’ inability to create or find proper placements for youth in foster care by issuing countless orders throughout 2022 that held Director Marc Smith in contempt of court.  The basis for the twelfth contempt of court order involved a 15-year-old girl who was cleared to be released from a psychiatric hospital on January 14, 2022. Yet, by March 5, 2022, DCFS failed to find an appropriate placement for the minor.  During a hearing on May 12, 2022, DCFS assured the court that the minor would be placed by the middle of June.  However, by the beginning of July, the youth still had not been released from the psychiatric hospital, losing months of her life.

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Florida’s Children First to Honor Broward’s Top Advocates for Children on March 7

Florida’s Children First (FCF), an award-winning non-profit organization that has been the voice of at–risk children and youth in Florida, will recognize truly remarkable child advocates and former foster youth at FCF’s 21st annual Broward County Advocates for Children Awards, held at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 7.

This is one of the largest events FCF hosts each year, recognizing the accomplishments of community leaders in Broward who support its mission of making positive changes in the lives of children. Joe Johnson, NPR and Beatles Brunch radio host, will return as the event’s emcee with an expected attendance of 300 supporters including community leaders, former honorees, and individuals who are committed to helping Florida’s children.

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Investigative Report Reveals Chicago Public School Employees Sexually Groomed and Sexually Assaulted Students and Failed to Properly Report Sexual Contact with Students

February 20th, 2023   No Comments   Sexual Abuse

The Chicago Public Schools Office of the Inspector General conducted an investigation of Chicago’s Publics Schools, revealing hundreds of teachers and school officials sexually groomed and assaulted students.  The investigation also found numerous incidents of teachers and school officials engaging in policy violations over the last four years by not properly reporting incidents of sexual grooming and sexual assault of students.  Chicago Public Schools are governed by clear and specific reporting protocols in the event a teacher or other school official initiates improper sexual contact with a minor.

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