Annie Sciacca

Suit alleges employee with more than a dozen prior felony convictions smuggled drugs into the facility and failed to do required check-ins.

An exasperated federal judge rebuked Texas child welfare leaders yet again, saying they do more to protect their bureaucracy than children.

More than 250 children in Texas foster care slept in hotels, offices or other unorthodox housing last month, as the state struggles to provide stable placements for kids. 

Four California counties will receive funds to work toward an ambitious goal in the field of juvenile justice: ending incarceration of girls.

A Texas bill that aims to improve due process protections for parents involved in child welfare cases is headed to the governor's' desk.

California state regulators voted to revoke Los Angeles County’s license to operate its two juvenile halls, citing “unsuitable” conditions.

A federal lawsuit alleges a mother was separated from her newborn solely on the basis of a non-consensual marijuana drug test.

Therapeutic foster care, which aims to keep kids out of psychiatric units and group care facilities, is evident around the country.

A lawsuit settlement in Washington includes plans to properly house young people in mental health crises and living with disabilities. 

A probation officer sexually abused children for years, according to 11 lawsuits filed against the California county where he once worked.

Children’s advocates have published accounts of 80 young New Yorkers sent to foster care group facilities, hoping to prompt officials to act. 

New York has revised its mandated reporter training to root out the “implicit bias component” in reporting suspected abuse or neglect.

LA County Supervisors voted unanimously to work toward ending the incarceration of girls, part of a national effort that's gaining momentum.

Buoyed by a budget surplus, Texas considers a slew of decisions aimed at improving the state’s troubled foster care and juvenile justice systems.

New details emerged about two young teenagers who were allegedly sexually assaulted while under the care of Texas’ Department of Family and Protective Services. 

In California, a new law makes violence preventative services a benefit under Medi-Cal, ensuring professionals doing frontline work are funded.

Two teenagers who were allegedly sexually assaulted in October were in foster care at the time, outside of a formal, licensed placement.

Late last year, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law creating a special council to address child poverty. The council will meet for the first time this week.

Two lawsuits claim that Los Angeles County probation staff raped, molested and harassed at least 70 girls in youth detention centers.

California legislators are poised to make their state a refuge for transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care and their families.

A bill moving through California's Legislature would stop law enforcement from using deceptive tactics on children during interrogations.