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October 7, 2011
An article in the Washington Post reports on a lawsuit filed by Children's Law Center and Arnold & Porter on behalf of two fathers after their daughters were kept in foster care. At issue is the District's interpretation of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, a decades-old law intended to ensure the safety of children who are fostered or adopted by families in a separate state. In the cases described in the lawsuit, DC's Child and Family Services Agency removed children from their mothers' care and placed the children in foster care, even though their birth fathers were willing and able to take custody of their daughters. According to the lawsuit, had the fathers been residents of the District rather than Maryland, CFSA would likely have returned the children to their fathers within 72 hours.
“They are hurting children and wrong on the law,” Judith Sandalow, executive director of Children's Law Center, said.
Read the online version of the full story, or download a PDF.
Learn more about the lawsuit.
“Children's Law Center is our best organizational partner and we turn to them often for legal guidance and support. When I think of CLC I think of their unique expertise and extensive knowledge, their generosity in sharing that knowledge with our community, and their integrity in conducting this important work. The lives of the children and families they serve are significantly improved because CLC exists.”
-Margie Chalofsky,
Executive Director,
Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC)
