Parenting classes routinely court-ordered in child abuse cases are “largely unregulated” in California, according to an investigation by the Los Angeles Times published today. “The state does not ensure that parent education programs meet any sort of standards, allows parents facing abuse allegations to take classes that experts have deemed low quality, and cannot provide research evidence for half the programs listed in a state-funded database meant to act as a key tool for local officials to ensure child safety,” wrote reporter Mackenzie Mays. A primary goal for youth in dependency court or otherwise involved in California’s child welfare system is to “preserve the family” by keeping a child either in the home of their parent or a relative. While many child advocates who work on such cases encourage family reunification, the lack of oversight and data on parent education classes might be jeopardizing children’s lives.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 04, 2024 21:22 UTC