Termination of Parental Rights: Lived Experience and Legal Reform, with Alex Cinney and Toia Potts

In this episode, Alex Cinney, Staff Attorney at the American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law, and Toia Potts, a family advocate and co-founder of Carolina Parent Defenders, join us to discuss the realities and consequences of Termination of Parental Rights (TPR). Drawing on both legal expertise and lived experience, they examine how TPR functions within the child welfare system and what it means for families across the country.

Alex explains how TPR permanently severs the legal relationship between parents and children, often without the level of scrutiny given to other life-altering legal decisions. Toia shares her personal story of being wrongfully accused, fully exonerated, and still losing her parental rights, highlighting the lasting impact on her children, extended family, and cultural identity. Together, they challenge common assumptions about “permanency,” emphasizing the difference between legal stability and the relational connections children need to thrive. They also explore alternatives such as guardianship and kinship care, and discuss ongoing efforts to reduce unnecessary terminations and preserve family integrity.

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/.