A Michigan appeals judge is crying out that the state’s budget cuts are causing the state’s child welfare and protection sytem to fail Michigan’s children.
On average, ten Michigan children per year die in foster care.
Adoptions get bogged down, because the prerequisite termination of parental rights can’t be timely finished, because an appeal is still pending.
In recent years, appeals have been moving substantially faster, because of the services of outside contract attorneys.
But no longer. Due to budget cuts.
Before long, the judge fears, appeals will remain open longer.
And more children will die. Due to budget cuts.
Read more in this Lansing State Journal editorial: William Whitbeck: Vulnerable children victimized by crisis in Mich.’s finances.
