On February 24, 2020, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by a Catholic social services agency from the decision of the City of Philadelphia to stop allowing the agency to provide foster care to city residents. Catholic Social Services does not accept same-sex couples to act as foster families. The City says that the practice violates its non-discrimination policies. CSS says the policy … [Read more...] about Philadelphia Bans Catholic Social Services from Providing Foster Care, Supreme Court to Hear Appeal
heARTbeat
Challenge: Create a More Resilient Community
On June 17, 2019, 300 local educators, social workers, police officers, and others gathered in support of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley's Resilient Lehigh Valley initiative. All in attendance learned about the pervasiveness of traumatic experiences within the community, and the many ways in which trauma can manifest itself. KingSpry proudly sponsored the conference. Attorneys from … [Read more...] about Challenge: Create a More Resilient Community
Superior Court Addresses Enforcement of Post Adoption Contact Agreements
On March 21, the Superior Court issued its first decision regarding enforcement of Post Adoption Contact Agreements (“PACAs”), In re Adoption of B.G.W. The case involved a private infant adoption. Through a PACA, the birth and adoptive parents agreed that the child’s birth mother (“BM”) would have at least three visits per year with the child, for at least 2 hours each visit. At the first … [Read more...] about Superior Court Addresses Enforcement of Post Adoption Contact Agreements
Federal Court Addresses Citizenship of Children Born Abroad Through Surrogacy
On February 21, 2019, the United States District Court for the Central District of California clarified the citizenship rights of children born abroad. Andrew, a U.S. citizen, moved to Israel in 2007 to attend graduate school. While there, he met Elad, an Israeli citizen. The couple moved to Toronto in 2010, and married there. The couple, both men, chose to have a family using assisted … [Read more...] about Federal Court Addresses Citizenship of Children Born Abroad Through Surrogacy
PA Supreme Court Determines that Mother’s Prenatal Drug Use Does Not Constitute Child Abuse
In a decision issued almost exactly a year after the Superior Court’s December 27, 2017 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held on December 28, 2018 that a woman’s activities while pregnant do not constitute child abuse. The decision, issued in In the Interest of L.J.B. holds that a woman who engages in drug use while pregnant will not be labeled as a perpetrator of child abuse. The … [Read more...] about PA Supreme Court Determines that Mother’s Prenatal Drug Use Does Not Constitute Child Abuse
Home Is Where The Heart Is For The Holidays
As we stroll through the crisp winter air, sipping hot chocolate in the Christmas city of Bethlehem, we are surrounded by the holiday spirit; lights and decorations on every street corner, carriage rides passing and shopping bags rustling. At the end of the day, after all the gifts have been wrapped and the stockings are hung, parents, grandparents and children unite to celebrate the greatest gift … [Read more...] about Home Is Where The Heart Is For The Holidays
