The Problem with Anonymous Reporting, with Dale Cecka

Anonymous calls to report child abuse are designed to protect children, but far too often anonymous reporting is maliciously abused to harm families. What if we replaced anonymous calls with confidential reporting?  This week, Jim talks with Dale Cecka, author of “Abolish Anonymous Reporting to Child Abuse Hotlines”  and “How Child Abuse Hotlines Hurt the Very Children…

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Reforming the Child Welfare System, with Jerry Milner

Far too often, the child welfare system sends children straight to foster care, destroying innocent families and harming the very children it tries to protect. How can we prioritize preserving families and giving parents the support they need instead? This week, Jim talks with Jerry Milner, former Associate Commissioner of the Children’s Bureau in the…

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Parental Rights and the Constitution, with William Wagner

This week, Michael talks with William Wagner, distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law at the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and president of Salt and Light Global. William has served as a Federal Judge in the U.S. Courts, as Legal Counsel in the U.S Senate, as Senior Assistant United States Attorney in the Department of Justice,…

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DC Bill 23-171 with Rolf Hazelhurst

Imagine if your 11-year-old child could receive medical procedures without your knowledge or approval. What exactly is DC Bill 23-171, the Minor Consent to Vaccination Act, and why are we so concerned with stopping this legislation?  Rolf Hazlehurst is a senior attorney with Children’s Health Defense and has been actively engaged in the practice of…

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Who Gets to Decide? With Melissa Moschella

Someone is going to make decisions for your child. Should it be you (the parent) or the government?  And what really is in the best interest of your child?  This week, Jim talks with Melissa Moschella, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America, where her teaching focuses on bioethics and the moral…

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A History of Child Welfare, with Martin Guggenheim

This week, Jim talks with Martin Guggenheim, who has taught at the NYU School of Law for over 25 years, and is one of the foremost experts on family law and family rights today. Marty tells us about his lengthy career in the family law field, including how the current child welfare system came to…

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Stopping the ASFA Clock, with Chris Gottlieb

The Adoption and Safe Families Act imposes a 15-month deadline for families separated by the child welfare system to reunify. In the age of COVID, many families are torn apart because of governmental delays they can’t control. What can we do to stop this unjust timetable? This week, Jim talks with Chris Gottlieb, Co-Director of…

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A Better Permanence, with Maggie McKneely

It’s a new year, with a new Presidential Administration and a new Congress. What changes and reforms can we expect in child welfare and parental rights law?  This week, Michael talks with Government Affairs Liaison Maggie McKneely. Maggie gives us an update on the DC Vaccines Bill and discusses why the ASFA (Adoption and Safe…

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Parents Need Support, Not Policing, with Joyce McMillan

Child welfare and family services claim to act in the best interest of children, but far too often government agencies punish innocent parents and rip apart low-income and minority families.  What would a child welfare system look like that supports parents and keeps families together? This week, Michael talks with Joyce McMillan, Founder of JMAC…

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Grassroots Change for Parental Rights, with Patti Sullivan

The need for reform in the child welfare system and parental rights legislation is great, but the challenge is daunting. How can you get involved in the fight to protect your parental rights? This week, Michael talks with Patti Sullivan, ParentalRights.org’s Florida State Coordinator and long-time advocate for families and parental rights. Patti tells us…

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