(This is just an idea )
Title: CPS Income-Based Disparity Report Card
Purpose: To expose systemic bias in CPS investigations by documenting the relationship between household income, poverty levels, and CPS case rates. This report aims to support legislative reform by distinguishing poverty from neglect and holding state agencies accountable.
Section 1: Data Summary Table
(Example Template for Each County or State)
County/State % of Families Below Poverty Line % of CPS Investigations % of Removals % Labeled as "Neglect" Poverty-to-Neglect Flag Ratio
Lee County, AL 31% 78% 45% 81% HIGH
Fulton County, GA 27% 70% 38% 76% HIGH
Cobb County, GA 9% 18% 4% 22% LOW
Section 2: Observations
The majority of CPS cases in low-income counties originate from economic hardship, not abuse.
Disparities in investigation and removal rates correlate strongly with poverty statistics.
Higher-income counties show far fewer removals, and when they occur, they typically involve confirmed abuse rather than neglect.
Section 3: Policy Recommendations
- Pass State-Level "Poverty Is Not Neglect" Laws
Similar to H.R. 573 (Federal), these laws must codify that financial hardship alone does not constitute grounds for removal.
- Mandatory Family Preservation Services
Require CPS to provide resources (food, housing support, etc.) before removing children from families struggling financially.
- Create a Statewide CPS Oversight Panel
Include parent advocates, public defenders, and mental health professionals to review neglect-based removals quarterly.
- Publish Annual "CPS Equity Scorecards" by County
Transparency through data-sharing, updated yearly, will pressure CPS to justify disparities.
- Push for Due Process Protections
Guarantee counsel for parents in all CPS investigations, and require evidence-based findings before issuing removal orders.
Section 4: Call to Action
Share this report with legislators, public defenders, and family court judges.
Use the data to organize community roundtables and town halls.
Rally support on social media and tag state reps to demand reform.
Appendix:
Source references for poverty rates (U.S. Census)
CPS data by FOIA request or Department of Human Services portal
Relevant case studies or testimonials from families in impacted counties
