Talking about Iowa's child protection system

Thanks to the Inter-Religious Council of Linn County for hosting a thoughtful discussion about Iowa's child protection system on today's "Ethical Perspectives on the News"

Mount Mercy University Philosophy Professor Mary Ducey led panelists April Dirks-Bihun, Professor of Social Work at Mount Mercy University, local attorney Ray Scheetz and myself in a deep discussion about child protection in Iowa, why family preservation is important, the role of the courts and best practices from other states. Although we came at the issue from different angles, the message was clear: Iowa needs to fundamentally change the way it handles issues of child welfare -- particularly in cases of parental drug abuse or neglect.

For some of my thoughts on foster care and child removal, see:

12.28.11 "Remove-first" policy hurts families

12.31.11 "They were just suspicious of me from the beginning"

12.31.11 Victor's story, part 2: No hope for family placement

1.4.12 "Do those 2 boys think I abandoned them?"

1.7.12 "I thought it would all be cleared up in a day or 2"

1.11.12 A plan for protecting kids

1.16.12 What you said about DHS and helpful resources