In this episode, Sharon Balmer Cartagena, Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Child, Youth & Family Advocacy Project in California, joins us to discuss innovative efforts to support families earlier in the child welfare process. Drawing on her work with the Keeping Families Together Project in Los Angeles County, she explains how expanding access to support and legal counsel can help bridge communication gaps, connect families to resources, and prevent unnecessary system involvement.

Sharon shares early results from the program and what they suggest about the impact of timely support. She also explores broader challenges within the child welfare system, including mandated reporting laws, definitions of neglect, and the high rate of unsubstantiated investigations. Sharon discusses ongoing reform efforts and the importance of keeping families connected whenever safely possible, as well as why increasing access to support services could benefit not only families, but agencies as well.

The EPPiC Broadcast is hosted by Michael Ramey, President of the Parental Rights Foundation. Stay informed on parental rights news by signing up for email alerts at https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/get-involved/

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In this episode, Will Estrada, Esq., Senior Counsel at the Home School Legal Defense Association, joins us to discuss recent legislative efforts impacting homeschool families across the country. Focusing on two contrasting bills in New England, Estrada explains how Connecticut’s HB5468 would significantly increase regulations on homeschool families, while New Hampshire’s HB1268 would move in the opposite direction by reducing requirements. He also explores the broader philosophical question underlying these debates: where parental rights come from, and whether they should be subject to government control.

Estrada discusses the implications of increasing homeschool regulations, including the strain on public school systems and child protective services. Drawing on national data and research, he addresses common concerns about child safety, noting that studies show no increased risk of abuse or neglect based on education type. He argues that policy efforts would be better focused on reforming child protective services rather than expanding oversight of homeschool families, and emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education.

The EPPiC Broadcast is hosted by Michael Ramey, President of the Parental Rights Foundation. Stay informed on parental rights news by signing up for email alerts at https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/get-involved/

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• HSLDA State Homeschool Laws Map
• Bringing Achievement Home by Lindsey Burke
• Homeschooling and Child Safety: Are Kids Safer at Home? by Angela Dills
• Demographics are Predictive of Child Abuse and Neglect but Homeschool Versus Conventional School is a Non-issue by Brian Ray & Danish Shakeel
• The Changing Face of American Homeschool: A 25-Year Comparison of Race and Ethnicity by Alanna Bjorklund-Young & Angela Watson
• In Defense of Homeschool Families by Amy Buchmeyer, Esq.

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In this episode, Vernadette R. Broyles, Esq., President and Chief Counsel of the Child and Parental Rights Campaign, joins us to discuss the recent Mirabelli decision and its implications for parental rights. Broyles explains the background of the case and why many advocates view the ruling as a significant development in the ongoing legal debate over whether schools can withhold information from parents about their children. She also discusses her organization’s involvement in the case, including the filing of an amicus brief supporting the parents.

Broyles breaks down what the decision signals from the Supreme Court about the constitutional protection of parental rights and how it may influence other cases currently awaiting review, including Foote and Littlejohn. She explains the legal questions at stake, the challenges parents face in lower courts, and why some legal standards applied in these cases could make it extremely difficult for families to defend their rights. Looking ahead, Broyles shares why she is optimistic about the direction of future rulings and discusses what these cases could mean for parents, schools, and the broader constitutional landscape surrounding parental authority.

The EPPiC Broadcast is hosted by Michael Ramey, President of the Parental Rights Foundation. Stay informed on parental rights news by signing up for email alerts at https://parentalrightsfoundation.org/get-involved/

Support the show