By Dianne Anderson For no other reason than poverty, Black moms are at the whim of the social service system that keeps them in the spotlight of mandated reporters who are trained to not ask questions or investigate, but just report. Charity Chandler-Cole said for all the claims of abuse or neglect coming out of ...

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon selected freshman Assemblymember Dr. Corey A. Jackson as Chair of the Committee on Human Services.  Assemblymember Dr. Jackson is one of six freshman members selected this session (2023-24) to Chair Assembly Committees. His experience successfully leading a non-profit service organization and as a social worker uniquely qualifies him for this position. ...

By Dianne Anderson In her four years working with foster youth, CASA volunteer Julie Spacht reflects on one of the main things for people to know about the foster system is that the kids usually are in the system for a reason – and that reason is traumatic. In the best of circumstances, she said ...

By Dianne Anderson Charity Chandler-Cole, Chief Executive Officer of CASA of Los Angeles, is well aware of all the racial and social injustices that plague the child welfare and foster systems. After all, she grew up in it. She experienced the brunt of all that it offered, and saw the maze of exploitation and profiteering ...

Eight caregivers win awards for outstanding commitment and dedication to foster care Zakiyyah Lateef will admit that her six-bedroom home is usually full of children. But she knows there is not enough space there for all the youngsters and teens in need of supportive and loving homes. Last time she counted 10 years ago; Lateef ...

By Sandra Baltazar Martinez The two-day old baby needed a home. And foster parents. Soon after she was born, Children and Family Services took Brandy Renee Taylor and her 2-year-old sister away from her drug-addicted mother. Her grandmother stepped in, along with the man she had just married six months earlier. Bill and Dorothy Lockridge, ...