Judges found a way to ensure kids are being heard before life-changing decisions are made for their families. One of the ways they’re doing it is with a goldfish in the courtroom.

Since CarePortal launched in Central Virginia in 2020, they’ve served served more than 3,000 children with an economic impact of $1.3 million.

The state of Michigan is working to help meet the behavioral health needs of children in foster care.

Thousands of Michigan children are looking for a new home, and the state of Michigan is calling on loving families who are looking to expand.

It’s a transformation that took place in an ordinary-looking home on Detroit’s east side. A group home vandalized in April of 2021 has made a complete turnaround.

There is an over-representation of children of color in the foster care system in Michigan and a task force is making recommendations to prevent and eliminate systemic racism in the child protection system.

The need for foster families has never been greater and it is especially impacting communities Downriver.

The Ennis Center for Children works with neglected and abused children, providing them with shelter and other services to help them “stay safe, stay in school and on a path toward a productive adulthood.”

Right now in Michigan there are 11,000 children in foster care.

Growing up, you likely used coloring books for fun but one local woman says they can be much more than just fun. It sounds simple, but a coloring workbook is helping to change lives. My passion in life has always been to use art to help people, said Kim Bonner, CEO of Make Lovely Things. I felt like lovely things kind of encompasses all of those ideas.The company makes and sells thoughtfully designed printed goods with a special mission to give a free courageous coloring workbook to every middle and high school-aged girl in foster care. For each workbook purchased, Bonner donates a book to a young girl in foster care.

Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo has since lost its contract with the state to care for youth in the state’s foster care and juvenile justice systems and had its license to operate suspended. Three former Lakeside Academy staff members face charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse in Fredericks' death. “When a child does come into care, we need to make that care as family-like as possible. Lakeside Academy had a series of violations of previous restraint rules, MDHHS Children’s Services Agency Executive Director JooYeun Chang said. Chang said following Fredericks' death, the department did a review of every licensed child care facility and looked to see how many in the past two years had even one serious safety incident or repeated safety incidents, with 76 facilities marked and given new guidance and assistance.

DETROIT Imagine having 14 boys under one roof during this pandemic all trying to learn, be entertained and keep their hopes up for adoption. The boys at Christ Child House in Detroit have to be resilient. The boys said they miss their outings to places like the roller rink or to a park, but the staff says donations have helped them keep the boys entertained with Lego sets, movies, music and more. Theyre hoping to rebuild the Christ Child House backyard to give the boys more to do and a better place to escape. For more information on the Christ Child House, visit the official website here.

DETROIT When they need help the most, foster children could soon end up becoming an unintended victim of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Foster care services across Michigan are facing major obstacles in helping ensure children are safe during the COVID-19 crisis. READ: Coronavirus puts critical link of Michigans foster care system in jeopardyExperts said communities were struggling to find foster parents before the pandemic, but now there are many new challenges. Samiritas, the largest provider of foster care services in Michigan, held a town hall meeting Tuesday to talk about how the coronavirus has affected outreach under Gov. We have to ask ourselves, though, is there hope for the foster care system, especially during this season of isolation? asked Brenda Baker-Mbacke, of CASA For CARE House of Oakland County.

FLINT Job TitleFoster Care ManagerCompany NameSpectrum Child & Family ServicesLocationFlint, MIJob TypeFull-TimeJob SummarySpectrum Child and Family Services is expanding and we are seeking a Foster Care Manager to join our team. This position will operate out of our Flint, MI office directly responsible to our Division DirectorResponsibilities and DutiesThe Foster Care Manager will oversee Foster Care services while providing leadership and direction of responsibilities within the foster care unit. Qualifications and SkillsOur ideal candidate must possess a BSW (or equivalent) plus four years experience in foster care, child welfare or other children's services, two years of which were in child-placing agency and two years of supervisory experience in a child welfare setting. Other requirements:Reliable and ongoing transportation to make home visits and provide transportation to youth and families when necessary. Knowledge of strength-based family work, solution focused treatment, wraparound process, child development, child welfare laws, and foster care policies/process.