Hilary Cottam: Social services are broken. How we can fix them

"Well, the first thing I learned is that cost is a really slippery concept. Because when the government says that a family like Ella's costs a quarter of a million pounds a year to manage, what it really means is that this system costs a quarter of a million pounds a year. Because not one penny of this money actually touches Ella's family in a way that makes a difference. Instead, the system is just like this costly gyroscope that spins around the families, keeping them stuck at its heart, exactly where they are...

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Michigan HB 4188 - 4190 Adoption Discrimination

Private adoption and foster care agencies who took in close to 11 Million tax dollars last year are asking for the right to refuse services to people who don't conform to their religious beliefs here in Michigan. Governor Rick Snyder, has previously stated that he would veto this bill package, lets let him know that is the right decision for Michigan's children who have no right, at this point to refuse to be placed in care with agencies which discriminates against the child's firmly held beliefs or identities. This was my testimony from the Michigan Senate Committee on Families, Seniors And Human Services. "Hello, my name is Sunday Koffron Taylor, I am the vice president of the foster care alumni Association of America Michigan chapter. Vice-Chair of Farmington youth assistance...

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If I Could Have My Childhood Back

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What Adults Can Learn From Kids

Please watch th...

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Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

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You STILL can't lose Christmas, Ralphie

"You can't lose Christmas. That's it. No details. No exceptions. Period. Finito. That's that. The same goes for birthdays. I have literally said to my children, "You can burn the house down. We will move into a hotel until the house is rebuilt. We will collect insurance money, rebuy gifts and still have Christmas. Because you can't lose Christmas."" You STILL can't lose Christmas, Ralphie - Christine Moers ...

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Abusive parenting techniques to treat reactive attachment disorder?

Some more to think about during Nation Adoption Awareness Month: Please go read this article Abusive parenting techniques to treat reactive attachment disorder This is my comment in the proper order: "I am really very saddened to see members of the attachment community come out and being defensive about a situation or several situations involving the abuse of adopted children post placement. This would be a wonderful opportunity to come out and discuss what is appropriate therapy for children suffering from “reactive attachment disorder” (RAD) or more commonly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There have been several cases of the abuse involving adopted children and the withholding of food. Three that I can think of that it made the news in recent weeks. In fact the state...

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