How did this site come about?

This site was conceived and created by Nebraska parents Kent and Melanie Smotherman. Their family was unjustly caught up in the juvenile justice system and HHS/Children and Family Services and know what that experience does to families.

Since Nebraska's recent "Safe Haven" notoriety brought national attention to our state, the Smothermans have joined with other families who experienced very similar abuses and violations by various service providers, insurance companies, government officials, and state agencies.

Our hope is that families in every state who have been affected by inappropriate government and state agency (HHS/CPS) behavior will use this site to share their own stories and observations with others, and join their voices with ours in every state of this country to demand critical change. 

Except for rare situations, families know and care for their own children better than any one else could. And this is why the U.S. Constitution, reaffirmed by our Supreme Court, considers the rights of parents as a fundamental right that should only be violated if it is found the parents/family are unfit. The burden of this proof is on the states, but that's not how it goes in practice.

Families' rights are routinely being violated by state government agencies who use the justification of working in "the best interests" of our children. WE work in the best interests of our own children. It's time families' raise their voices together to make certain we are heard.