In 1998, Michigan revamped the way it handles child neglect and abuse cases.
The new "Binsfeld laws" -- named after former Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld of Maple City, who advocated them over her many years in state government -- essentially fast-forwarded the process Michigna uses in such cases.
Since these changes, parental terminations in northwestern Lower Michigan are up 49 percent from 1997, while the number of kids in foster care has jumped 33 percent. Adoptive placments have climbed 10 percent.
Before 1998, the goal was reunification with parents. Children could languish in the state´s foster care system for years.
Now, family reunification is still a goal, but time limits have been placed on the effort, so children´s lives have stability sooner.
The changes set up a host of new policies and procedures in Michigan´s child welfare system -- adding 70 new steps to the child protective services investigation alone.
But the more than inch-thick benchbook used in child protective proceedings boils down to a few core principles.
• The state has more flexibility to investigate child abuse and neglect allegations.
• The timeline for resolution of foster care cases has been shortened. Bottom line: A "permanency planning hearing" to decide whether or not a child can return home must be held within a year of removal.
• The grounds for termination of parental rights are expanded.
In a six-part series titled "Foster Care Fast-forwarded," the Record-Eagle examines the changes brought about by Binsfeld and the people affected.
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Foster care -- Introduction
Child welfare officials take it case-by-case
Binsfeld laws aim at stability
Home not always a haven for children
Agencies impose strict criteria
Changes put onus on biological parents
Pilot program making progress with Indian children
Stories by Cari Noga
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