|
Child Protective Services laws and agencies are abusive to families and children. This site provides support and information to parents falsely accused of child abuse by Child Protective Services.
FightCPS does not advocate or condone violence or illiegal activities of any kind.
FightCPS is intended to help people learn enough about the law to be able to successfully defend themselves and their families against false accusations using legal documents and strategies that put parents in a stronger position when they go back to court.
For more information, see the FAQ.
Child Protective Services, CPS, has devastated and destroyed hundreds of thousands of families in America during the last thirty years leaving a trail of broken hearts, broken dreams, and shattered childhoods.
Rather than helping families, government agents have used unconstitutional laws in Juvenile Court to rip children away from their loving parents, break asunder God-given, natural, parent-child bonds, and adopt the children of the grieving out to others who profit financially with large monthly adoption subsidy payments.
Child Protective Services must be stopped! The law that started this, CAPTA, must be repealed. We must work tirelessly to inform the public of this very dangerous travesty of justice. We must keep faith knowing that if there is a God, there is an answer and a way to end this heartache.
Child Protective Services Agents - please come to your senses! Family destruction on false or trivial grounds is wrong, reprehensible, and inhumane.
Fosterers - be aware that for the money you get you are holding much-loved children away from their grieving families while the parents are forced to perform a service plan that is anything but a service to them. I call this hostage holding for the government. This is not kindness - to help misguided government agents destroy family relationships and break loving bonds.
CPS workers and fosterers - I ask that you now let the children of the innocent return to their homes where they are truly valued, adored, and loved by the parents God gave them.
Family rights are God-given rights. And they should not be ignored or postponed. Every moment these loving parents and children spend separated from one another is a torment beyond what anyone should ever have to bear.
It is unworthy of human dignity to allow this terrorism and torture of families to go on without saying something, speaking out, and trying to make a change.
Site mission: To provide information and support for families attacked by Child Protective Services and child welfare agents, especially those families facing false or trivial accusations of child abuse or neglect; and for researchers working to protect natural family rights.
|
Fighting Child Protective Services False Accusations
September 3, 2007
I received notification of this in email today (Thanks Charlie Wittman!)
YOUR URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED on a bill quickly moving through Congress called “The Mother’s Act” (H.R. 20) that calls for pregnant women to be screened for mental disorders and new mothers to be screened for “postpartum depression,” resulting in their being prescribed dangerous antidepressants or other psychiatric drugs. A Senate Bill and a House Bill were introduced this year. The House Bill is right now in the Energy and Commerce Committee and a vote is expected within days, whereupon it will go to the House floor next week. The bill provides more appropriations for NIH to conduct research into “postpartum depression” and biological treatments (drugs).
To protest this bill, write to your legislator.
You can do so easily here: The Mother’s Act
I see this as a way to implement The New Freedom Act, forcing psychological testing on all women who become mothers in the USA. CPS workers will probably have access to these screening results and children will most likely be taken from parents either on the basis of screening results, or because mothers decide not to take medications prescribed as a result of these tests. This act opens the way to massive abuse of child-bearing women in the United States, and their children. Please urge your federal legislators to vote against this bill.
Similar Posts:
Filed under: CPS — Linda Martin @ 5:32 am  Print This Post
 Email This Post
Comments (15)
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Please do not leave LONG comments. We don't need to know your last name, the details of your case, or the names of the social workers or judges. Do not leave any self-incriminatory statements on this blog. Please read the privacy policy before posting. All comments are approved before posting as of 2010. Excessively long comments or comments in all-caps will not be approved.
Privacy Policy - please read before posting anything to this site. (Link opens in another window or tab.)
Copyright Notice: According to US Copyright law, copyright vests initially in the author(s) of the work. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have an interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information go to: Title 17, Sec.107. If you are the copyright holder and choose to have your work removed from this website, email the webmaster and it will be done. However we here at fightcps.com hope you prefer that our researchers continue to benefit from access to your work.
Broken Links: Because many old news articles are taken offline you will find broken links in the archives of this weblog. There's nothing we can do to prevent this problem.
|
This is an outrage! Is this the USA or the 4th Reich??? Not only will CPS be benifitting if this is passed, but the BIG pharmecutical companies as well, who don’t need any more $$$. Pregnancy does change some people emotionally. That’s how my case got started. I was pregnant at the time & didn’t know it. That’s the reason why I put my son outside for 30 seconds. Yes I regret it deeply! I was on anti-depressants at the time too, but pregnancy changes the body’s hormones! The childless CPS Nazi was not sympathetic though!
Comment by Susan — September 3, 2007 @ 6:19 am
That is insane! Many of the programs for low income mothers like right from the start do this anyway they have a Q&A sheet about stress and stuff but you don’t have to do it you can pass on it. To be required to do it is a violation of the constitution. You know the right to be secure in your person property etc. How much bigger of a violation than to requier your mind to be scoped for potential mental problems. Sounds to me like the government is getting too involved yet again. You know its kind of funny, I usually vote as a democrat because of all the social programs that they usually support with my theroy being support the poor but this election they lost my vote because yes they do have all these programs but they let the programs get out of hand however well meaning they are. Right now in my opinion its better not to have these programs than to let them get so out of control that they end up hurting the people that they are suppose to be helping. On paper these things look great but when you add the human element they turn out to be a big fat mess from hell!
Comment by Debbie — September 3, 2007 @ 6:54 am
How can the US possibly afford this?
Seniors have problems obtaining adequate medication.
Another meaningless JOBS program.
Comment by Fern — September 4, 2007 @ 7:14 am
Here in Ontario, Canada there was a newspaper article advertisement encouraging all Mothers to come forward to report for their so called “Study” for PTSD, or post partum syndrome, called baby blues.
These Studies are to report and help Mothers how to cope with baby blues but I often wondered if it has hidden agendas? Would that be an exposure for Mothers to come forward with names and Child Protectors will have all of their names and be ready to take their babies?
The Study was supposed to determine how many Mothers out there that has PTSD and to find out how to help them. It does not say what assocation or study group it was coming from.
SCARY!
Comment by Frustrated — September 4, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
There is a very bad side to this bill being past however, mothers are kiling their children in the US more now then ever. Will this help save lives or destroy more? Child abuse does is real, neglect, PTSD, is also real. However the curuption in our system is more real now then ever. If we had a perfect child protection system then I would say this was a good bill to pass, but we don’t and this isn’t a fairy tail world we live in so I am going to have to protest against the bill due to the fact that I know CPS will use even the smallest details on these tests against inocent mothers. Just because you have PTSD does not mean you will harm your children, millions of Amaricans especialy women suffer from depression or other slight mental illness every day but they love and care for their children when they receive the help they need. But taking medication needed to control these isues can be used against you at any time when it comes to custody of children so I will let every one I know to protest this bill. Its crazy to think of how hard the government tries to control America.
Comment by Jammie Fladebo — September 6, 2007 @ 9:40 am
$ocial $ervices are prejudiced against anybody with a real or imagined mental illness. They use their so called ‘experts’ to do psych evaluations on parents just so they can use the results against them in court. $Gee I wonder why$?
Comment by Susan — September 16, 2007 @ 7:12 am
I dont think this is quite right. I have read the bill in its entirety at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c110:4:./temp/~c110rLFd66::
and it makes no mention of women actually being forced to undergo psychological testing, it says they “shall ensure that that new mothers . . . are OFFERED screenings for postpartum conditions . . .” it does not force these screenings upon women.
I think you should make sure you check up on some reliable sources before scaring people like this.
Postpartum depression can be devastating and I think it is important that doctors and midwives educate and offer screenings to their patients about this. PPD can cause the mother to act in such ways as the child is not being properly cared for and in very very severe cases of PPD the mother may inadvertently (because of the PPD) cause harm to the child. This also protects the mother because PPD may cause the mother to be of harm to herself as well (be it violent harm or non-violent (i.e. not eating)).
This bill only gives grants out to help states to educate patients about PPD and help the women in their state prevent and get help. The bill says nothing about being prescribed drugs, it only says “If the result of such screening provide warning signs for postpartum conditions, the new mother shall be referred to an appropriate mental health care provider.” Thus, she is only referred to someone who can help her, he may help her with drugs, but you do not have to take drugs unless you consent to it. The mental health care provider may also help with counseling and other therapies.
I will hope that in the future any e-mails you receive will be carefully checked from reliable sources and assumptions will not be made.
I understand where you are coming from in that you are worried a doctor or mental health care provider may call in CPS, but at that point I think CPS and the doctor would be unwarranted in taking action before the mother has tried to overcome her PPD (via therapy or drugs if she so chooses).
Comment by Megan — September 16, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
Megan, thanks for the link. You’re right, I should have read it first, and I’m glad you did. I wonder if you have studied the New Freedom Act. It was passed to make psychological testing mandatory for all Americans. I’ve had a page on this at this site for a couple of years: The New Freedom – Orwellian “Newspeak” for a program that will force mental health evaluations on everyone. This is NOT “freedom” – this is about taking away your rights and controlling the minds of children nd all other U.S. citizens. If you don’t think this is a violation of the freedoms of American citizens, we will have to agree to disagree.
HR20 is actually not the number of the Mother’s Act as reported on the site I listed above. Here’s HR 20
Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act (Introduced in House)
HR 20 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 20
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 4, 2007
Mr. RUSH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To provide for research on, and services for individuals with, postpartum depression and psychosis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Postpartum depression is a devastating mood disorder which strikes many women during and after pregnancy.
(2) Postpartum mood changes are common and can be broken into three subgroups: `baby blues,’ which is an extremely common and the less severe form of postpartum depression; postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, which are more severe than baby blues and can occur during pregnancy and anytime within the first year of the infant’s birth; and postpartum psychosis, which is the most extreme form of postpartum depression and can occur during pregnancy and up to twelve months after delivery.
(3) `Baby blues’ is characterized by mood swings, feelings of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, irritability, poor sleep, mood changes, and a sense of vulnerability.
(4) The symptoms of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are the worsening and the continuation of the baby blues beyond the first days or weeks after delivery.
(5) The symptoms of postpartum psychosis include losing touch with reality, distorted thinking, delusions, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, hyperactivity, and rapid speech or mania.
(6) Each year over 400,000 women suffer from postpartum mood changes, with baby blues afflicting up to 80 percent of new mothers; postpartum mood and anxiety disorders impairing around 10-20 percent of new mothers; and postpartum psychosis striking 1 in 1,000 new mothers.
(7) The causes of postpartum depression are complex and unknown at this time; however, theories include a steep and rapid drop in hormone levels after childbirth; difficulty during labor or pregnancy; a premature birth; a miscarriage; feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, frustrated or anxious about one’s new role as a mother; a lack of support from one’s spouse, friends or family; marital strife; stressful events in life such as death of a loved one, financial problems, or physical or mental abuse; a family history of depression or mood disorders; a previous history of major depression or anxiety; or a prior postpartum depression.
(8) Postpartum depression is a treatable disorder if promptly diagnosed by a trained provider and attended to with a personalized regimen of care including social support, therapy, medication, and when necessary hospitalization.
(9) All too often postpartum depression goes undiagnosed or untreated due to the social stigma surrounding depression and mental illness, the myth of motherhood, the new mother’s inability to self-diagnose her condition, the new mother’s shame or embarrassment over discussing her depression so near to the birth of her child, the lack of understanding in society and the medical community of the complexity of postpartum depression, and economic pressures placed on hospitals and providers.
(10) Untreated, postpartum depression can lead to further depression, substance abuse, loss of employment, divorce and further social alienation, self-destructive behavior, or even suicide.
(11) Untreated, postpartum depression impacts society through its affect on the infant’s physical and psychological development, child abuse, neglect or death of the infant or other siblings, and the disruption of the family.
TITLE I–RESEARCH ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 101. EXPANSION AND INTENSIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of NIH and the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (in this section referred to as the `Institute’), shall expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institute with respect to postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis (in this section referred to as `postpartum conditions’).
(b) Coordination With Other Institutes- The Director of the Institute shall coordinate the activities of the Director under subsection (a) with similar activities conducted by the other national research institutes and agencies of the National Institutes of Health to the extent that such Institutes and agencies have responsibilities that are related to postpartum conditions.
(c) Programs for Postpartum Conditions- In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of the Institute shall conduct or support research to expand the understanding of the causes of, and to find a cure for, postpartum conditions. Activities under such subsection shall include conducting and supporting the following:
(1) Basic research concerning the etiology and causes of the conditions.
(2) Epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of the conditions and the differences among racial and ethnic groups with respect to the conditions.
(3) The development of improved diagnostic techniques.
(4) Clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments, including new biological agents.
(5) Information and education programs for health care professionals and the public.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.
TITLE II–DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM OF GRANTS.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this title referred to as the `Secretary’) shall in accordance with this title make grants to provide for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis (referred to in this section as a `postpartum condition) and their families.
(b) Recipients of Grants- A grant under subsection (a) may be made to an entity only if the entity is a public or nonprofit private entity, which may include a State or local government; a public or nonprofit private hospital, community-based organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community health center, migrant health center, or homeless health center; or other appropriate public or nonprofit private entity.
(c) Certain Activities- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects under subsection (a) provide services for the diagnosis and management of postpartum conditions. Activities that the Secretary may authorize for such projects may also include the following:
(1) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management, screening and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions; and delivering or enhancing support services for their families.
(2) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care management services that ensure the well being of the mother and family and the future development of the infant.
(3) Improving the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services (including transportation services, attendant care, homemaker services, day or respite care, and providing counseling on financial assistance and insurance) for individuals with postpartum conditions and support services for their families.
(d) Integration With Other Programs- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall integrate the program under this title with other grant programs carried out by the Secretary, including the program under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act.
SEC. 202. CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.
A grant may be made under section 201 only if the applicant involved makes the following agreements:
(1) Not more than 5 percent of the grant will be used for administration, accounting, reporting, and program oversight functions.
(2) The grant will be used to supplement and not supplant funds from other sources related to the treatment of postpartum conditions.
(3) The applicant will abide by any limitations deemed appropriate by the Secretary on any charges to individuals receiving services pursuant to the grant. As deemed appropriate by the Secretary, such limitations on charges may vary based on the financial circumstances of the individual receiving services.
(4) The grant will not be expended to make payment for services authorized under section 201(a) to the extent that payment has been made, or can reasonably be expected to be made, with respect to such services–
(A) under any State compensation program, under an insurance policy, or under any Federal or State health benefits program; or
(B) by an entity that provides health services on a prepaid basis.
(5) The applicant will, at each site at which the applicant provides services under section 201(a), post a conspicuous notice informing individuals who receive the services of any Federal policies that apply to the applicant with respect to the imposition of charges on such individuals.
SEC. 203. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to assist entities in complying with the requirements of this title in order to make such entities eligible to receive grants under section 201.
SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For the purpose of carrying out this title, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.
……………………
Now, here’s the Mother’s Act:
MOTHERS Act (Introduced in Senate)
S 1375 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1375
To ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services, and to increase research at the National Institutes of Health on postpartum depression.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 11, 2007
Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mr. DURBIN, Ms. SNOWE, Mr. BROWN, Mr. DODD, and Mr. LAUTENBERG) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To ensure that new mothers and their families are educated about postpartum depression, screened for symptoms, and provided with essential services, and to increase research at the National Institutes of Health on postpartum depression.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Mom’s Opportunity to Access Health, Education, Research, and Support for Postpartum Depression Act’ or the `MOTHERS Act’ .
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) Postpartum depression is a devastating mood disorder which strikes many women during and after pregnancy.
(2) Postpartum mood changes are common and can be broken into three subgroups: `baby blues,’ which is an extremely common and the less severe form of postpartum depression; postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, which are more severe than baby blues and can occur during pregnancy and anytime within the first year of the infant’s birth; and postpartum psychosis, which is the most extreme form of postpartum depression and can occur during pregnancy and up to twelve months after delivery.
(3) `Baby blues’ is characterized by mood swings, feelings of being overwhelmed, tearfulness, irritability, poor sleep, mood changes, and a sense of vulnerability that usually starts in the first week and resolves without treatment by the end of the second week postpartum.
(4) The symptoms of postpartum mood and anxiety disorders are as defined in the latest edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), as published by American Psychological Association.
(5) The symptoms of postpartum psychosis include losing touch with reality, distorted thinking, delusions, auditory hallucinations, paranoia, hyperactivity, and rapid speech or mania.
(6) Baby blues afflicts up to 80 percent of new mothers , postpartum depression occurs in 10 to 20 percent of new mothers , and postpartum psychosis strikes 1 in 1,000 new mothers .
(7) The causes of postpartum depression are complex and unknown at this time; however, contributing factors include: a steep and rapid drop in hormone levels after childbirth; difficulty during labor or pregnancy; a premature birth; a miscarriage; feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, frustrated or anxious about one’s new role as a mother; a lack of support from one’s spouse, friends or family; marital strife; stressful events in life such as death of a loved one, financial problems, or physical or mental abuse; a family history of depression or mood disorders; a previous history of major depression or anxiety; or a prior postpartum depression.
(8) Postpartum depression is a treatable disorder if promptly diagnosed by a trained provider and attended to with a personalized regimen of care including social support, therapy, medication, and when necessary hospitalization.
(9) All too often postpartum depression goes undiagnosed or untreated due to the social stigma surrounding depression and mental illness, the romanticization of motherhood, the new mother’s inability to self-diagnose her condition, the new mother’s shame or embarrassment over discussing her depression so near to the birth of her child, the lack of understanding in society and the medical community of the complexity of postpartum depression, and economic pressures placed on hospitals and providers.
(10) Untreated, postpartum depression can lead to further depression, substance abuse, loss of employment, divorce and further social alienation, self-destructive behavior, or even suicide.
(11) Untreated, postpartum depression impacts society through its effect on the infant’s physical and psychological and cognitive development, child abuse, neglect or death of the infant or other siblings, and the disruption of the family.
(12) This Act shares the goals of the Melanie Blocker-Stokes Postpartum Depression Research and Care Act and will help new mothers who are battling with postpartum conditions.
TITLE I–DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 101. DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS.
Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.) is amended–
(1) by inserting after the subpart heading the following:
`CHAPTER I–GENERAL PROVISIONS’;
and
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following:
`CHAPTER II–DELIVERY OF SERVICES REGARDING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
`SEC. 520K. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM OF GRANTS.
`(a) In General- The Secretary shall in accordance with this chapter make grants to provide for projects for the establishment, operation, and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems to–
`(1) provide education to women who have recently given birth, and their families, concerning postpartum depression, postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, and postpartum psychosis (referred to in this chapter as `postpartum conditions’) before such women leave their birthing centers and to screen new mothers for postpartum conditions during their first year of postnatal checkup visits, including the standard 6-week postnatal checkup visit; and
`(2) provide for the delivery of essential services to individuals with postpartum conditions and their families.
`(b) Recipients of Grants- A grant under subsection (a) may be made to an entity only if the entity–
`(1) is–
`(A) in the case of a grant to carry out the activities described in subsection (c)(1), a State; and
`(B) in the case of a grant to carry out the activities described in subsection (c)(2), a public or nonprofit private entity, which may include a State or local government; a public or nonprofit private hospital, community-based organization, hospice, ambulatory care facility, community health center, migrant health center, tribal government or territory, or homeless health center; or other appropriate public or nonprofit private entity; and
`(2) submits to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
`(c) Certain Activities-
`(1) EDUCATION-
`(A) IN GENERAL- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects under subsection (a)(1) develop policies and procedures to ensure that education concerning postpartum conditions is provided to women in accordance with subparagraph (B), that training programs regarding such education are carried out at health facilities within the State, and that screening and referral is provided in accordance with subparagraph (C).
`(B) REQUIREMENTS- A State that receives a grant or contract under subsection (a)(1) shall ensure that postpartum condition education complies with the following:
`(i) Physicians, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, nurses, and other licensed health care professionals within the State who provide prenatal and postnatal care to women shall also provide education to women and their families concerning postpartum conditions to promote earlier diagnosis and treatment.
`(ii) All birthing facilities in the State shall provide new mothers and fathers, and other family members as appropriate, with complete information concerning postpartum conditions, including its symptoms, methods of coping with the illness, and treatment resources prior to such mothers leaving the birthing facility after a birth.
`(iii) Physicians, certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, nurses, and other licensed health care professionals within the State who provide prenatal and postnatal care to women shall include fathers and other family members, as appropriate, in both the education and treatment processes to help them better understand the nature and causes of postpartum conditions.
`(C) SCREENING AND REFERRAL- A State that receives a grant or contract under subsection (a)(1) shall ensure that new mothers , during visits to a physician, certified nurse midwife, certified midwife, nurse, or licensed healthcare professional who is licensed or certified by the State, within the first year after the birth of their child, are offered screenings for postpartum conditions by using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), or other appropriate tests. If the results of such screening provide warning signs for postpartum conditions, the new mother shall be referred to an appropriate mental healthcare provider.
`(D) SUBGRANTS- A State that receives a grant or contract under subsection (a)(1) to carry out activities under this paragraph may award subgrants to entities described in subsection (b)(1)(B) to enable such entities to provide education of this type described in subparagraph (B).
`(2) SERVICES- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall ensure that projects under subsection (a)(2) provide services for the diagnosis and management of postpartum conditions. Activities that the Secretary may authorize for such projects may also include the following:
`(A) Delivering or enhancing outpatient and home-based health and support services, including case management, screening and comprehensive treatment services for individuals with or at risk for postpartum conditions, and delivering or enhancing support services for their families.
`(B) Delivering or enhancing inpatient care management services that ensure the well being of the mother and family and the future development of the infant.
`(C) Improving the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services (including transportation services, attendant care, homemaker services, day or respite care, and providing counseling on financial assistance and insurance) for individuals with postpartum conditions and support services for their families.
`(d) Integration With Other Programs- To the extent practicable and appropriate, the Secretary shall integrate the program under this title with other grant programs carried out by the Secretary, including the program under section 330.
`SEC. 520L. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
`The Secretary may provide technical assistance to assist entities in complying with the requirements of this chapter in order to make such entities eligible to receive grants under section 520K.
`SEC. 520M. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
`For the purpose of carrying out this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2010.’.
TITLE II–RESEARCH ON POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS
SEC. 201. CONSENSUS RESEARCH CONFERENCE AND PLAN CONCERNING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS.
Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 409J. CONSENSUS RESEARCH CONFERENCE AND PLAN CONCERNING POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PSYCHOSIS.
`(a) Consensus Research Conference and Plan-
`(1) CONFERENCE- The Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the heads of other Federal agencies that administer Federal health programs including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall organize a series of national meetings that are designed to develop a research plan for postpartum depression and psychosis (referred to in this section as `postpartum condition’).
`(2) PLAN- The Secretary, taking into account the findings of the research conference under paragraph (1), shall develop a research plan relating to postpartum conditions. Such plan shall include–
`(A) basic research concerning the etiology and causes of postpartum conditions;
`(B) epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of postpartum conditions and the differences among racial and ethnic groups with respect to such conditions;
`(C) the development of improved diagnostic techniques relating to postpartum conditions; and
`(D) clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments for postpartum conditions, including new biological agents.
`(3) REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the research plan under paragraph (2).
`(b) Activity Relating to Research Plan-
`(1) IN GENERAL- After the development of the research plan under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH shall expand and intensify research and related activities of the Institutes relating to postpartum conditions in a manner appropriate to carry out such plan, and in particular shall direct research efforts to carry out such plan.
`(2) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the development of the research plan under subsection (a)(1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the progress made with respect to such plan and the status of ongoing activities regarding postpartum conditions at the National Institutes of Health.’.
Comment by Linda — September 16, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
You know, when CAPTA was passed in 1973, it was all about training and getting ready for child welfare. It wasn’t until subsequent acts were passed that added to it bit by bit, that CPS became the evil that it is today.
Comment by Linda — September 16, 2007 @ 9:31 pm
Thank God for HR20. This bill was decades overdue. Just think of how many lives were lost and many families were destroyed in the past because of PPD. Because of PPD, I have not seen my daughter in five years and she is five years old.
Comment by PB — October 15, 2007 @ 6:25 am
PB, if the MOTHERS Act passes more moms will have to kiss their babies goodbye, some of them in a casket. They push drugs that make you worse. We don’t need FEDS pushing drugs on us.
Everyone, please visit my website and sign my petition. Please see http://www.uniteforlife.org and http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-the-dangerous-and-invasive-mothers-act
Comment by Amy Philo — March 19, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
My daughter is right now the subject of a CPS assessment because she expressed a fear of developing PPD. What is the world coming to when mothers are punished for seeking help to prevent future problems?
Comment by Lynne — June 4, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
My brother got married to a woman because she got pregnant after only knowing her for three months. Three weeks after Ian was born there was talk in the family of PPD and her neglecting little Ian. Six monthes later I was coming over to bring food and I watched as my sister in law pick up the baby by his feet and bash his head into the stone fireplace… I think it should be a law to test every woman for this illness… I was told prior to ever getting pregant that I would suffer from this and the next month I had my tubes tied. I will never put my husband, parent or my baby through this! And I think more people should be aware of how serious it really is!
Comment by Sara Ormsby — November 7, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Many of you are too young to remember but decades ago when a woman gave birth, she and the baby remained in the hospital for up to two weeks. This was done as a precaution to enable the mothers to rest and have assistance in caring for the newborn.
The insurance companies successfully fought this and, in the 1980s reduced the length of stay to 24 hours and even sooner.
The old fashion way is often the best way without big government.
Simply put, perhaps the senate should tackle the insurance companies and mandate that the hospital stay revert to what it was years ago.
Comment by MaggieC — December 23, 2008 @ 6:18 am
I disagree with this act, however it may end up helping some new mothers. However, I am biased. My son has been taken away from me because I’m bipolar and not on medications. They claim that I am a treat to my son, but I have several people, including my therapist, that states that I am no more a danger to anyone than a “normal” person. Not every mentally ill person is going to abuse or kill their kids, yet cps has taken children due to mental illnesses.
Comment by kat — February 4, 2011 @ 8:22 pm