Rise Magazine

Finding Support

To My Advocate, I Mattered

May 28, 2020 by Melissa Landrau

Before joining a peer support group, I would walk into the foster care agency ready to raise hell. I was having real concerns about my case. I didn’t feel that I was getting the information I needed. I was struggling and had no one to talk to. I wore my anger on my face and didn’t think twice about lashing out.

Throughout my life, I have been used and let down and I learned not to … Read More

‘It’s Crazy and It’s Torture’: These visiting restrictions are not to protect my sons

May 26, 2020 by Michael Roelle

As long as we take all precautions, haven’t gone anywhere, check our temps every day and have no symptoms, why can’t I go see my son at placement? My sister is fostering him and wants me there. All of us want me there. We have all been super cautious because my brother-in-law is high risk. Still, the worker said no, and if we visited anyway, they would come take him to a stranger’s house. Then my son would be exposed to unknown people and would be more likely to get sick than if I was there with a mask. So I stay home. It’s ridiculous. It’s not to protect my son, it’s to protect their control over me and my family.

Advocacy

Suing the System: ‘It was about fighting for my rights.’

May 11, 2020 by Keyna Franklin

NYC parent LaQuana Chappelle explains how and why she sued ACS.

LaQuana Chappelle’s children were removed by ACS illegally following an accident. After she got her kids back, she got a lawyer and sued the system. The case was settled with the City of New York paying damages to LaQuana and her children.

Here, LaQuana discusses her experience, the importance of knowing your rights and her advice for other parents who are considering suing.

Legal Rights

How to Sue the System

May 11, 2020 by Rise

Attorney David Lansner explains how children and parents can sue the child welfare system

By Sarah Harris, Shakira Paige, Careena Farmer, Cynthia Zizola and Genesis Pagan, Rise Contributors, and Keyna Franklin, Rise Parent Leader

Many parents feel that what we experienced at
the hands of child welfare was unjust but that there’s nothing we can do about
it. We wanted to find out if that was true, so we interviewed David Lansner, a
family court lawyer in New York City … Read More

Parenting

How You Can Help Your Child Cope During COVID-19

May 07, 2020 by Rise

Adapted from the Brain Architects Podcast with Jack Shonkoff, Harvard Center on the Developing Child

Adults are really
struggling with the pressures and tensions of this time. When we’re feeling
significant stress, anxiety, unease and even depression about what’s going on,
you don’t have as much energy to be on your best game at all times.

For everyone, feeling some sense of safety and control brings
your stress system back down. And
none of us are capable of
feeling safe and secure … Read More

RISE MAGAZINE