by Carolyn Martin (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

Are Parents Barriers?

The United States remains the only nation who has not ratified the United Nations Convention of the Child (UNCRC) treaty — and for good reason. The right of parents to direct the upbringing, care, and education of their children based on our Judeo-Christian roots as a country has long been recognized in our jurisprudence as a fundamental right. Since the treaty was enacted across the world in 1990, the pillar of parental rights in America has been under attack. Legislatures have been implementing the treaty on their own, one piece at a time.
 
Tomorrow (April 13th, beginning just after the rally at CHEC Homeschool Day at the Capitol), there will be a committee hearing where parental rights could again be the victim of this movement to elevate children above their parents. HB23-1003 School Mental Health Assessment will establish a program to place a wedge between child and parent and bring great harm to families across the state in the name of mental health. Children are being put in the driver’s seat of making decisions for themselves and their mental health care at potentially the most vulnerable times in their lives without parental involvement. Instead, adults empowered by the state and serving as replacements for their parents will be their guides.

Students found to have a mental health issue will be referred to a government-run therapy program called iMatter. This program was established in 2021 to give three free therapy sessions to youth under 18 years old without parental consent or notification. It now provides up to six free sessions. During the House floor debate regarding the 2021 bill, the sponsor bragged that this program will also serve homeschool students. In this latest bill (HB23-1003), the iMatter program will no longer be a temporary program as promoted at its inception, but will become a permanent fixture in the landscape of intrusion into the family.
 
It was made clear by several legislators during recent public comments on HB23-1003 that parents are seen as a barrier to a child’s mental health. For now, homeschooling families continue to experience God’s favor in the legislature, but the negative attitude towards parents in general is growing. We must stand up for all parents and the sanctity of God’s ordained family.
 
Take Action! Testify against HB23-1003! Go here for more information.

Trusting in the mighty power and grace of Jesus,
Carolyn Martin
CHEC Director of Government Relations 
Carolyn@CHEC.org

About the Author: Carolyn Martin

Carolyn Martin serves as CHEC’s Director of Government Relations, working for you and other liberty-loving families to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty at the state capitol. Subscribe to the CHEC blog for Carolyn’s regular updates here, learn more about legal issues in Colorado here, and donate to support Homeschool Freedom here. Contact Carolyn directly at carolyn@chec.org.