We have been reading the news (New York Times, USA Today) of the Memphis child who will be returned in days to her biological parents, after being raised by another family for seven years. I have been waiting to see the Tennessee opinion, which is now online.Read More

Andrew Wolfson reports in today’s Courier-Journal, Family Court Attoney Fees Stand. I loved the quote from Jefferson Circuit Court Chief Judge, Family Division, Stephen M. George: The importance of work done by GALs and CACs cannot be overstated…There are very few judicial acts that have as profound effects as the actions made involving the parent-child...Read More

The Kentucky Office of Inspector General has issued its report, available online, on quick trigger adoptions, inter alia. While the investigation is beyond the scope of this blog, many readers will want to read the entire report, parts of which will no doubt be in the headlines in the coming days and weeks. We are...Read More

Persons with suggestions to improve Kentucky’s system of child protection services will have the opportunity to voice their ideas at a public forum next week in Frankfort. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services is hosting the forum from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in room 169 of the Capitol Annex....Read More

Deborah Vetter reports CASA a valued champion for kids in yesterday’s Courier-Journal, a timely topic for those whose New Year resolutions include seeking opportunities to volunteer for worthy causes. Many more volunteers are needed, and these dedicated folks really can make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Some quotes from the...Read More

Com., Cabinet for Health and Family Services ex rel. A.W. and C.W. v. Huddleston et al., 185 S.W.3d 222 (Ky.App. 2006) Issue and Holding: Whether a Family Court can require the Cabinet to maintain residence for children committed to its care in a particular county. The Court held no, the Family Court cannot intervene in...Read More

“Kentucky looks to speed up adoptions”, is the Courier-Journal front page headline reporting on the Blue Ribbon Panel on Adoption meeting in Frankfort yesterday. The online edition link to today’s article was not yet available at the early hour of this posting. What an informative and productive meeting it appears to have been.Read More

Com., Cabinet for Health & Family Services ex rel. M.H. v. R.H., 199 S.W.3d 201 (Ky.App., 2006) Issue and Holding: Whether the doctrine of issue preclusion applied to bar the Cabinet from introducing evidence of prior sexual abuse perpetrated against siblings of the infant by the parents at an adjudication hearing regarding the removal of...Read More

Comments to our post, Fees For Guardian Ad Litem:Read More

It seems there are a few misconceptions out there about the Louisville, KY contempt motion heard this week against the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet. The Courier-Journal headline reads Lawyers Seeking Higher State Fees ‘There are 30 lawyers who represent children in abuse and neglect cases in Jefferson County’s 10 Family Court divisions, and 40...Read More