The Youth Law Center held its annual Loren Warboys Unsung Heroes Reception on December 9, 2013 at the San Francisco law firm of Bingham McCutchen. Each year, the Youth Law Center honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to improve the lives of children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. This […]
Tribal Youth in Transition Training
The Youth Law Center provided training on Tribal Youth in Transition in collaboration with the Yurok Tribe, California Indian Legal Services, and the Alliance for Children’s Rights at the Yurok Tribal Community Center in Klamath California on November 20, 2013. The training covered AB 12, which extends support for eligible youth after age 18, and focused […]
2013 Loren Warboys Unsung Heroes Reception
Each year the Youth Law Center honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of children and families at the Loren Warboys Unsung Heroes Reception. The 2013 Loren Warboys Unsung Heroes Reception is being held on December 9, 2013, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the San Francisco law offices of Bingham McCutchen. This year’s […]
Medi-Cal for Former Foster Youth Project
The Youth Law Center has launched a project to ensure that former foster youth are able to get comprehensive, affordable health care coverage. Access to health insurance is critical in supporting a healthy transition to adulthood for thousands of young adults transitioning out of foster care. Many of these youth have ongoing special health care […]
Jennifer Rodriguez Appointed to Presidential Commission
The Youth Law Center is proud to announce that President Obama has appointed Jennifer Rodriguez, our Executive Director, to the Presidential Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. Jennifer is one of six Presidential appointees to the Commission which will be chaired by David Sanders, Executive Vice President of the Casey Family Programs, and […]
Governor Signs Sentencing Review Law Co-Sponsored by YLC
On September 16, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed S.B. 260 — historic sentencing review legislation. It applies to more than 6,000 youth who were under the age of 18 at the time of their crime, tried as an adult, and sentenced to an adult prison sentence in California. The legislation was introduced by Senator Loni […]
Jennifer Rodriguez Featured in California Health Report
Jennifer Rodriguez was profiled in the cover article of the California Health Report (Summer 2013). The article highlights the Youth Law Center’s innovative work and unique approach to advocacy, as well as Jennifer’s own history and accomplishments. We are very proud of Jennifer and the work that she and our staff have accomplished. Community Healer […]
Sue Burrell on Juveniles and the Criminal Justice System
YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell was interviewed by the Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA) about legislation that would provide an opportunity for review of lengthy sentences for juvenile tried as adults. Youth Law Center is a co-sponsor of SB 260 (Hancock), which would provide such youth with an opportunity to demonstrate maturity and […]
Sue Burrell Interviewed on Lengthy Sentences for Juveniles
YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell was interviewed by the Friends Committee on Legislation of California (FCLCA) about legislation that would provide an opportunity for review of lengthy sentences for juveniles tried as adults. Youth Law Center is a co-sponsor of SB 260 (Hancock), which would provide such youth with an opportunity to demonstrate maturity […]
Sue Burrel Quoted in Article re Senate Bill 9
California Rolling Back Lengthy Prison Sentences for Some Juvenile Offenders Judge Cheryl Chun Meegan has dealt with David Dewayne Griffin before. When the 23-year-old was a teenager who had been convicted of five felonies, including attempted murder, she imposed a prison sentence so long – 85 years to life – that he won’t be eligible […]
YLC Hosts Juvenile Competence Think Tank
Juvenile defenders and advocates from around the state met July 20, 2013, at the Youth Law Center to share ideas and strategies on handling cases involving potential incompetence to stand trial. Incompetence occurs when a child is unable to understand the nature of the proceedings or assist their attorney in defense of the case often […]
Baby Elmo Program: Teen Dads Learn Parenting Skills
YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhxkx7SVp-I Ohio juvenile detention offers dad program By: Dave Arnold, newsnet5.com HIGHLAND HILLS, Ohio – Ashley Taylor traveled to Highland Hills on Cleveland’s east side to the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility with her daughter, McKensie, Thursday. Taylor, 21, was one many mothers, grandmothers and family members joining in on a program targeted […]
In Memoriam – YLC Mourns Passing of Thomas A. Welch
We would like to take a moment to say goodbye to our dear friend and former Board President Thomas A. Welch, who passed away this May after losing a month-long battle with Leukemia. Tom served as Board President from 1990 to 2003 and was a Board Member for over 20 years. He was a fierce […]
YLC to Pilot Visitation Project with Univ. of Delaware
The Youth Law Center has received Federal Title IV-B grant funding to pilot the program, Attachment Biobehavioral Catchup for Visitation, (ABC-V) for short, in Reno for the next two years. The program will train foster parents to coach and support birth parents during reunification visits using material developed from the Attachment Biobehavioral Catchup developed by […]
The Baby Elmo Program Is Toddling Along
The Baby Elmo Program has undergone significant expansion within the past few months. Ventura and Los Angeles Counties will start to implement the Baby Elmo Program in their juvenile halls this coming summer. Connecticut and Ohio will also be adopting Baby Elmo as one of their own, both sites will have the program up and […]
HELP Separated Children’s Act Supported by YLC
The HELP Separated Children’s Act, supported by the Youth Law Center, has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee as an amendment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill (S 744.) The amendment is designed to strengthen protections for children when parents are caught up in immigration enforcement actions. HELP Separated Children Amendment Summary First Focus Press Release
Virginia Corrigan Receives EJW Fellowship to Work at YLC
The Youth Law Center is pleased to announce that Virginia Corrigan, a Harvard Law School graduate, has received an Equal Justice Works fellowship to work at the Youth Law Center on juvenile justice issues for two years. We thank Baker & McKenzie and the Intel Corporation for their generous support of her fellowship. Launched in […]
Role of Carole Shauffer and QPI Highlighted in Article
The role of Carole Shauffer and QPI are highlighted in the following article about normalcy in foster care in Florida. WILKINS, DETERT TELL CONGRESS ABOUT FOSTER CARE REFORMS By MARGIE MENZEL THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, May 9, 2013……….Florida’s 2013 foster-care reforms shared the spotlight at the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, […]
YLC Endorses SSI Restoration Act, H.R. 1601
The Youth Law Center has endorsed the SSI Restoration Act, H.R. 1601, introduced by Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (Arizona). The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program funds foster care for children with disabilities and is an important source of support for children with disabilities in low income families. The Act would modernize and streamline eligibility rules that […]
YLC Testifies on S.B. 260 – Sentencing Review
On April 22, 2013, Staff Attorney Sue Burrell testified in the California Senate Appropriations Committee in support of S.B. 260 (Hancock). The bill would provide a review process for juveniles tried as adults after they serve 10 years in prison. It provides a process responsive to the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Graham v. Florida […]
YLC Testifies on Defender Training Bill
On April 2, 2013, YLC Staff attorney Sue Burrell testified in California’s Senate Public Safety Committee in support of S.B. 166 (Liu). YLC is a co-sponsor of the bill with the California Public Defender’s Association. The bill provides legislative intent language underlining the importance of skilled, well trained lawyers in the increasingly complex area of […]
Youth Radio Interviews Sue Burrell on Steubenville Rape Case
On March 25, 2013, Youth Radio broadcast its interview with YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell on “The Growing Role of Social Media in Juvenile Courts” on KPFA radio Youth Radio reporter Sayre Quevedo developed the segment to highlight the immense impact of social media in the recent Steubenville rape case in which two high school […]
Email Re San Bernardino Co. Baby Elmo Project
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2013 4:00 PM Subject: A Daddy’s Love Every once in a while, there’s a moment for those of us who work with children in which it allows you to walk on air, even if just for a few moments. Today, there was such a moment. A boy entered juvenile hall long […]
Jennifer Rodriguez on Kids Aging Out of Foster Care Panel
Jennifer Rodriguez participated in the American Bar Association Section of Litigation Children’s Rights Litigation Committee (CRLC)’s teleconference “From 17–21: What Lawyers, Judges, and Agencies Should Be Doing for Kids Aging out of Foster Care” that took place on March 12, 2013. The teleconference focused on practical ideas and options for lawyers, judges, and agencies to […]
Sue Burrell Quoted in Article Re Sentencing 10 Year Old
YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell was interviewed for a Reuters story on sentencing for a boy who killed his neo-Nazi father at age 10. Sue was asked about the possibility that the youth might be sent to California’s Division of Juvenile Facilities. She pointed out that there are no other youth as young as he […]
YLC Comments on ACA Proposed Rules re Former Foster Youths
The Youth Law Center submitted comments on proposed rules to implement the extension of Medicaid to former foster youth up to the age of 26 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA.) The ACA provides Medicaid to former foster youth who are in foster care when they emancipate from foster care (at age 18 or older […]
YLC Presents on Trauma and the Environment of Care
YLC Staff Attorney Sue Burrell spoke at a Roundtable on “Current Issues and New Directions in Creating Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Systems,” sponsored by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. The Roundtable took place February 11 and12, 2013, in Los Angeles, and was attended by some 50 researchers, clinicians and advocates working on the issue of […]
Principles for Immigration Reform that Works for Children
The Youth Law Center has joined over 200 child, immigration, religious, academic, and civil rights organizations to endorse principles for immigration reform legislation that meets the needs of children. 200+ Advocates Offer Principles for Immigration Reform that Works for Children Press Release Principles for Children in Immigration Reform
AB 12 and Probation Involved Youth Caregiver Webinar Series
The Youth Law Center is hosting a four-part series of webinars on AB 12, California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act, for relatives, foster parents and other caregivers to probation involved foster youth. AB 12 extends support up to age 21 to foster youth as they transition to adulthood and independence. Probation supervised foster youth who […]
YLC Celebrates Release of National Standards for Juvenile Defenders
The National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) has just released the first ever set of National Juvenile Defense Standards. The Standards represent a comprehensive understanding of the role and duties of the juvenile defender in the 21st century juvenile court system, and seek to strengthen and guide the ethical and professional performance of juvenile defense attorneys […]
Training on Public Benefits
The Youth Law Center and Bay Area Legal Aid provided training on public benefits for children for staff at Legal Advocates for Children and Youth in San Jose on January 18, 2013.
Rightsizing Congregate Care
The Youth Law Center and the Annie E. Casey Foundation hosted a meeting for representatives of agencies that provide services for children on January 16, 2013, in Clearwater, Florida. The meeting was part of a project on Rightsizing Congregate Care. For more information about the project, contact Carole Shauffer.