This weekend’s football season opener against the Alabama Crimson Tide hasn’t been the only thing on the minds of the Missouri Tigers of late.

A federal appellate court ruled late last week that Los Angeles County did not violate a man’s due process and privacy rights when it retained a closely held record of unfounded allegations of child sexual abuse against him – without providing him notice or an opportunity to challenge the allegations.

The National Center for Youth Law is bringing in a longtime fighter for child, youth and community justice as the Oakland, California-based organization’s second in command.

Shakti Belway, a graduate of Stanford University’s law school like the center’s director, Jesse Hahnel, brings with her deep experience in community law, litigation, direct representation, policy development, legislative reform and strategic mobilization.

One of the nation’s largest residential care providers announced last week it has hired former U.S.

The U.S. Children’s Bureau is spearheading a partnership aimed at reducing the use of child removals and addressing racial and socioeconomic inequities in child welfare. 

The stated goal of “Thriving Families, Safer Children: A National Commitment to Well-Being” is to “move from traditional, reactive child protection systems to those designed to support child and family well-being and prevent child maltreatment and unnecessary family separations,” according to a statement announcing the partnership today. 

The vast majority of reports of child abuse and neglect emanate from adults outside a child’s family or neighborhood. Most calls come from so-called “mandated reporters,” who are required to disclose any concerns about child safety with protection officials.

Eight states are developing pilot programs to educate young expecting parents about their  responsibilities, including how to manage their finances, emotions and relationships.

The grant money for the programs will come from the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement, part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.

The days are numbered for California’s state-run juvenile justice system, as both the governor and legislature have gotten behind its closure. One piece of the sunsetting plan being discussed by lawmakers might be of interest to advocates and policymakers in other places, because it addresses an issue germane to all states: the transfer of youth into adult court and, potentially, adult jail and prison. 

After Jodi Cohen’s excellent reporting this week, the Michigan Supreme Court will review a case in which a teenager from Oakland County was detained for not taking her virtual learning seriously during the pandemic.