Youth Law Center ‘s Accomplishments Since 2005

2008

Juveniles charged with a violation will now be represented in parole hearings as a result of the June 4, 2008, settlement in L.H. v. Schwarzenegger.   The suit was brought by two San Francisco law firms, Rosen, Bien & Galvan, LLP and Bingham McCutchen, and the Youth Law Center.

The April settlement in S.H. v. Stickrath is a comprehensive commitment by Ohio to move the state's juvenile correctional model away from large institutions to a regional small facility delivery system.

Four counties, Yolo, Orange, Fresno and San Bernardino, are implementing our juvenile justice parenting program, that teaches incarcerated youth parenting skills during weekly visits and use of media.

Three sites have partnered with the Youth Law Center to work toward meeting the developmental needs of foster children under six.

Judge in L.H. v. Schwarzenegger ordered defendants to appoint counsel to represent each and every juvenile parolee in parole revocation hearings by February 15, 2008.

2007

The U.S. Supreme Court denied Oregon's Petition for Certioraro in A.S.W. v. Oregon.  The case is now back in the district court to resolve the case. 

Leonard v. Wagner filed to allow all foster youth in the state of California, including those with special needs, in school to remain in foster care up until the age of 19.

ACLU of New Mexico v. NM Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) filed because of CYFD's failure to ensure safe living conditions and essential rehabilitation services for young people in state juvenile justice facilities.

2006

Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services ended foster children sleeping night after night in a conference room in a DCF building in Tallahassee.

More than 300 individuals from 40 counties participated in Symposia to impove Medi-Cal coverage for youth in the juvenile justice system.

Rivers v. Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa successfully challenged the housing authority's improper use of confidential juvenile court record information in the termination decision.

L.H. v. Schwarzenegger filed to address the California Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) and Board of Parole’s systematic violation the constitutional rights of juvenile parolees in revocation proceedings.

2005

S.H. v. Taft filed to end abusive practices at the Ohio Department of Youth Services Scioto facility.

Wheeler v. Sanders settled with Los Angeles County promising to uphold state and federal rules on checking the suitability of relatives' homes for foster children.

Banuelos v. Tracy settled with an agreement that law enforcement authorities would remove youth's name from all law enforcement gang files, a commitment by the school to revise its dress code policy and notification to parents, and a cash settlement.