Defending Against Allegations
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Dealing with Allegations of Abuse | Foster parents are especially vulnerable to charges of child abuse and neglect. No matter the source or the merit of the charges or how absurd they appear, they must be taken seriously. Read more |
| Allegations Happen: How to Prevent and Survive Them | It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” said one parent about the time her foster daughter filed an abuse allegation against her. Read more |
| Criminalizing Foster Parents | The United States foster care system has a higher turnover rate than most fast food industries....Why are foster parents leaving? Of all the reasons, the biggest by far is that they are treated poorly. Read more |
| National Foster Parent Coalition for Allegation Reform | The site www.nfpcar.org is a 'must' for foster parents who feel they have been falsely accused of child abuse. Read more |
| When Foster Parents Need an Attorney | When court looms and the consequences of losing are unacceptable, don’t take a chance. Trying to save money should not be an option. Foster parents need a spokesperson who can effectively negotiate the legal labyrinth. Read more |
| Keeping a Journal | The written word has power. Foster parents need to keep a record. The strongest material you can have in defending against allegations or advocating for your foster child is a well-documented daily journal. Read more |
Visitor-submitted questions
| Question | ACT's Response |
|---|---|
| What do you do when you have allegations against you other than child abuse. It's about getting food stamps and I was lied to. Now they want me to pay back. I still got my foster children removed after 4 years of having them and was ready to adopt. I found out one of my children has a tumor on the brain. I haven't had them since Feb 18, 2011. If this is what they do with the children i feel sorry for every child who comes into foster care. Sometimes agencies and caseworkers get jealous or just don't like you. |
You describe a very difficult time, especially for someone who has given so much to care for children in out-of-home care. I urge you to request a meeting or conference with the welfare department to address the allegations that have been made. Be sure to bring along a friend to support you, an attorney if you can afford one. Read more |
