Parental Rights Foundation

05/29/2026

Parental rights protections vary dramatically across the country.

Some states recognize parental rights through both statute and court precedent. Others provide only partial protections, or none at all.

Our 2026 analysis found:

• 46% of states have statutory parental rights protections
• 64% apply strict scrutiny protections in court
• 22% remain unprotected

See the full state-by-state breakdown in The State of Parental Rights in America 2026: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/the-state-of-parental-rights-in-america

05/28/2026

In a unanimous 7-0 ruling, New York’s highest court struck down the Host Family Homes program, citing concerns over the lack of court oversight and protections for families.

The Parental Rights Foundation joined an amicus brief in the case.

Read more about it here: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/ny-court-strikes-down-host-family-homes-program

05/22/2026

Now available: The State of Parental Rights in America 2026.

This first-of-its-kind report brings together perspectives from leading scholars, legal experts, and advocates on the current landscape of parental rights and family preservation in America.

Download your copy today: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/the-state-of-parental-rights-in-america

05/19/2026

Listen to the full conversation on the EPPiC Broadcast: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/preserving-childhood-consent-and-parental-rights-in-healthcare-with-emilie-kao

In this week’s episode, Emilie Kao, senior counsel and vice president of advocacy strategy for Alliance Defending Freedom and member of the Parental Rights Foundation Board of Advisors, joins us to discuss her article “Preserving Childhood: Dependency, Consent, and Parental Rights in Healthcare,” featured in The State of Parental Rights in America.

Emilie discusses the legal foundations of parental rights in healthcare decisions, the rise of the “mature minor” doctrine, and the growing tension between parental authority, adolescent autonomy, and state involvement in medical decision-making.

Listen to the full conversation on the EPPiC Broadcast: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/preserving-childhood-consent-and-parental-rights-in-healthcare-with-emilie-kao

05/18/2026

Families don't need to be hidden from the system. They need to be supported by it. 💛

This Foster Care Awareness Month, join the call for transparency, fairness, and real reform for every family impacted by hidden foster care.

🔗 Join the call at hiddenfostercare.org

05/17/2026

No court. No lawyer. No financial support. No reunification plan.

This is what hidden foster care looks like for thousands of families across the country. The system that's supposed to protect children is leaving entire families without a safety net. May is Foster Care Awareness Month and we're not staying quiet about it.

🔗 hiddenfostercare.org

05/16/2026

You've heard of foster care. But have you heard of hidden foster care? 👀

Every year, up to 300,000 children are separated from their families outside of the formal system — with no court, no oversight, and no plan to bring them home. This May, we're changing that.

🔗 Learn more at hiddenfostercare.org

05/15/2026

Today, on the International Day of Families, we recognize the vital role families play in the wellbeing of children and the strength of communities around the world.

Families everywhere face different challenges and circumstances, yet parents continue to work tirelessly to love, support, and care for their children. Parents are the first teachers, protectors, and guides in a child’s life, and children thrive when parents are empowered to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.

Strong families are the foundation of a healthy society.

05/12/2026

Listen to the full conversation on the EPPiC Broadcast: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/common-sense-guardrails-for-cps-with-joyce-mcmillan

Read Joyce’s article in The State of Parental Rights in America publication here: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/the-state-of-parental-rights-in-america

In this week’s episode, Joyce McMillan, founder of Just Making a Change for Families and member of the Parental Rights Foundation Board of Advisors, joins us to discuss her recent article, “Common Sense Guardrails for CPS,” and the need for stronger protections for families involved in the child welfare system.

Joyce discusses how poverty is often confused with neglect, the lack of due process protections many parents face, and several reform efforts aimed at increasing accountability and protecting constitutional rights in CPS investigations.

Listen to the full conversation on the EPPiC Broadcast: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/common-sense-guardrails-for-cps-with-joyce-mcmillan

Read Joyce’s article in The State of Parental Rights in America publication here: https://www.parentalrightsfoundation.org/the-state-of-parental-rights-in-america

05/10/2026

Mothers know their children better than any government institution ever could.

This Mother’s Day, we honor the women who advocate, sacrifice, nurture, educate, protect, and lovingly guide their children every day.

Strong families begin with empowered parents, and we are thankful for mothers across the country who faithfully embrace that calling.

Happy Mother’s Day from the Parental Rights Foundation!