P.A.S.S.

Welcome to Parents Against Social Services.

This site is a service and information group set up for parents who are having or will have problems with the Department of Social Services (D.S.S.). If you need help or can provide help for someone who is in legal trouble with D.S.S., this is the place to be.

Every year, many children in the United States suffer abuse and neglect, and the numbers are staggering. However, when the D.S.S. investigates reports, some parents' rights are taken away without just cause usually when children are removed without enough evidence of abuse.

This is when problems start. Children taken from their homes often show signs of anxiety, loss of appetite, confusion, and anger. The state classifies these as signs of emotional abuse, but ironically, the trauma of removal itself causes these symptoms. Instead of recognizing this, the state sometimes blames the parents.

Some of the things that P.A.S.S. advocates for include:

• Video surveillance and legal representation: All interviews conducted by D.S.S. with parents or children shall be video recorded and conducted with an attorney present. If a child or parent does not have an attorney, one shall be provided.
• Accountability for false accusations: All witnesses to an incident must be held accountable for any false accusations.
• Warrant requirements: D.S.S. must obtain warrants only with merit, supported by competent third-party institutions.
• Independent case review: This group will review all facts and findings to determine if child removal is truly in the child's best interest. The group is independent and unaffiliated with D.S.S. or the court and will not be held accountable for findings later disproven.
• Accountability for D.S.S. workers: Department workers found acting maliciously or persecutorially will be held accountable by a court independent from the court overseeing the child s case.
• Separate court and judges: There shall be a separate court with its own regulations and non-elected judges or panel members.
• Separation of parties: All individuals involved on behalf of the child and the state must be separated from the other parties. Child attorneys must advocate solely for the child's best interest, independent of the state's agenda.
• Right to overturn judgments: No court decision shall be final and all judgments may be overturned later.
• Decision panels: All decisions must be reviewed by a panel.
• Group home placement: Children shall be placed in group homes rather than foster homes.
• Adoption restrictions: No child may be adopted out of state if parental rights are suspended.
• Parental rights suspension: Parental rights cannot be permanently taken away but only suspended for a determined period. During suspension, parents may have limited contact with the child as deemed necessary. Parents may also choose to permanently relinquish rights if desired.