March Staff Recommendations

Investigating America’s Overwhelmed Child Welfare System–and Those Working to Change It

According to Stand Together, 75% of cases in the child welfare system stem from accusations of neglect—most of which are linked to poverty and systemic inequities. As a result, the child welfare system has become increasingly overburdened, with over 7 million children currently in the system. Many of these children come from homes where parents lack the resources or financial means to support them. Advocates for change are working to shift the focus toward proactive measures that help parents in poverty, aiming to prevent separation.

Jocelyn shares, “There is no better home for a child than one with their family. In difficult times—especially now more than ever—parents may struggle to provide for their children. This video highlights an app that allows anyone to help a struggling family on the verge of separation. It’s called CarePortal, and all requests are verified by a caseworker. This is a great opportunity for those looking to help make a difference and show grace and compassion.

Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt Against Out-Of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, Dsm-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary

In this book, Allen Frances, former psychiatrist, argues that DSM-5 has turned millions of normal people into mental patients by overdiagnosing, driven by pressure from big pharma, leading to destructive consequences such as drug reliance and dependency. Frances advocates for a return to a healthier and more balanced approach to mental health. 

Amy says, “This book provides great context as to why the DSM exists and how it came to be. The book also argues that the DSM and the behavioral health system is set up to often diagnose everyone. This leads to an over pathologization of everyday problems as mental illness, leading to the stigmatization of healthy people as mentally ill. The book challenges this system and forces us to think another way about mental health.”

We Were Once A Family

The book We were Once a Family follows the devastating story of the Hart Family. In 2018, a couple drove their six adopted children off a cliff after being investigated for child abuse and neglect. This book highlights the injustices and failures of the child welfare system and the harmful consequences of rushed adoptions.

Emily shares, “This book dives into the story of the Hart family’s adopted children and the families they left behind. Reading this provided such an insightful view into how child welfare policies that are not thought-through can have ripple effects on already marginalized communities, and expose children in foster care to even more harm.”