Nancy Schaefer’s Revelations

Senator Nancy Schaefer’s legacy continues to echo through the lives of families who have been devastated by Child Protective Services (CPS). Her groundbreaking report, The Corrupt Business of Child Protective Services, shook the nation by exposing systemic failures that robbed parents of their children and left countless families broken.

Through her tireless work, Senator Schaefer shed light on a dark reality: children were being torn from safe and loving homes without cause, placed into harmful environments, and used as commodities in a profit-driven system. She boldly declared, “There is no responsibility and no accountability in Child Protective Services.” Her words still ring true today, resonating with families and advocates who see the same injustices continuing across the country.

The Scale of Her Work

Senator Schaefer personally worked with over 300 cases in Georgia and hundreds more nationwide. Each case told the same story: a system that prioritized money and power over truth and family unity. Parents who had done nothing wrong lost their children. Children who deserved stability were subjected instead to trauma and abuse. Schaefer’s documentation became a voice for those silenced by the courts, creating a record that cannot be ignored.

The Role of Federal Incentives

One of Schaefer’s most powerful revelations focused on the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act. First introduced in 1974 and later expanded in 1997 under President Bill Clinton, this law created “adoption incentive bonuses” for states. For every child adopted out of foster care, states could receive $4,000 to $6,000 — with an additional $2,000 for children classified as “special needs.”

These bonuses turned children into commodities, creating a dangerous system where the removal of children became a financial pipeline. Instead of helping families heal, CPS agencies were incentivized to separate them. Workers learned quickly that their funding depended on higher adoption numbers, and families across the nation paid the price.

Carrying Forward Her Mission

Nancy Schaefer’s courage cost her dearly, but her voice ignited a movement that refuses to be silenced. Her work stands as a call to action: demand accountability, transparency, and justice.

At Stolen Children by CPS, we carry forward her mission. We shine a light on corruption, expose the truth behind CPS operations, and advocate for a system that protects families instead of destroying them.

Senator Schaefer’s revelations remind us that reform is not just possible — it is necessary. Families deserve better. Children deserve better. And her words remind us every day why we fight.

Nancy Schaefer