The National Association of Counsel For Children (NACC) recently released the 4th edition of its Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases (“the Red Book”). This textbook is used as a national resource for attorneys and judges and provides the framework for NACC’s child welfare law specialist credential. […]
Judgment Entered on Sacramento County’s Unlicensed Placements
Sacramento County has had children and youth in the foster care system in various unlicensed settings over the past several years. Most recently, youth were placed at the Warren E. Thornton Youth Center (WET Youth Center). Far from ideal and contrary to law, the County had not been able to build or develop the placement […]
Child Advocacy Organizations Celebrate Victory for Medicaid Beneficiaries
Youth Law Center and its partners are celebrating a major victory for Medicaid beneficiaries in the Supreme Court this month which preserves the rights of low-income individuals, children, and other vulnerable populations to bring federal court challenges for violations of their rights. In a 7-2 decision in Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Indiana v. Talevski, the Court found in […]
Youth Law Center and Children’s Legal Advocates Applaud Landmark Decision
In a victory for Native youth, families and Tribal Nations, the Supreme Court today upheld the constitutionality of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in a 7-2 decision. The Court issued its ruling in Haaland v. Brackeen, affirming that ICWA safeguards children’s rights, supports family integrity for Indian families, and properly protects the rights of […]
YLC Comments on the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Continuum
On January 13th, YLC submitted comments to the CA Department of Health Care Service’s proposal for CA Behavioral Health Community Based Continuum. Our comments focus on the impact of several important provisions for children and youth in foster care and juvenile justice systems including: Support for California’s proposal to utilize Medicaid funding for enrichment activities […]
YLC Urges United States Supreme Court to Uphold Indian Child Welfare Act
Last week, the Youth Law Center joined 30 other groups in submitting an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in a case, Haaland v. Brackeen, urging the justices to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) originally passed by Congress in 1978. The brief was filed by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) and Public Counsel with core support […]
YLC Reissues Report “Closing the Extracurriculars Gap”
Three years ago the Youth Law Center first issued the publication “Closing the Extracurriculars Gap: Prioritizing Extracurricular Activities as a Key Intervention for Children and Youth in Foster Care and Juvenile Justice” to make the case for action to ensure that young people in foster care have meaningful access to extracurricular and enrichment activities. YLC […]
Support YLC During National Foster Care Month!
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize and highlight the experiences of those impacted by foster care systems. But at YLC, we know that our efforts to ensure all children and youth in the foster care system have the love and support they need to become thriving adults, are urgent every day of […]
Join us at the 2022 QPI Virtual National Conference!
The Youth Law Center‘s Quality Parenting Initiative invites your participation in the 2022 QPI Virtual National Conference, “Building the Movement Together: Excellent Parenting for Every Child, Every Day”. Over the past year, QPI has grown both geographically and in the diversity of partners involved. Each site and individual brings a unique approach to achieving excellent […]
New YLC Publication: THP-NMD – An Advocacy Guide to Preventing Involuntary Exits
YLC has created a new resource, THP-NMD: An Advocacy Guide to Preventing Involuntary Exits, developed after young adults reported being exited prematurely from their transitional housing programs, sometimes without notice or proper process. Our new advocacy guide summarizes the legal protections that young adults have–both as former foster youth and as tenants–to remain in THP-NMD […]
YLC Releases New Report Urging Congress to Prevent Devastating Outcomes for Youth Exiting Foster Care
In less than ten days, thousands of young people across the nation are at risk of aging out of foster care and being cut off from supports and services. YLC has released a new report today, in partnership with Think of Us, urging Congress to act immediately to extend all provisions of Division X of […]
YLC Supporting Legislation That Will Extend Access to Chafee Services Until Age 27
“The pandemic has intensified every inequity for youth exiting foster care to crisis levels — homelessness, unemployment, physical and mental health crises and poverty. Far too many youth have not yet received the assistance they desperately need from The Supporting Foster Youth and Families Act through the Pandemic Act,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, the Executive Director […]
Six Ways to Ensure Transition Aged Youth Leverage Federal Support During and Post-Pandemic
YLC’s Policy Director, Jenny Pokempner, recently authored a piece for the American Bar Association outlining 6 ways that advocates can help transition aged youth with experience in the foster care system benefit from the vital aid that was intended for them, but that many are not receiving. Click the here to read the full article.
New YLC resources on COVID-19 economic aid for youth and families
Youth Law Center has recently developed a series of resources related to the various economic benefits available as a result of the Covid–19 pandemic, and specifically how and when those benefits are accessible to populations including current and formerly systems involved youth and young adults, foster and resource parents, kinship families and young people in detention settings. Check out […]
YLC joins #CheckForUs campaign
YLC is proud to be part of the #CheckForUs campaign, aiming to inform thousands of young people across the country that they are eligible for financial assistance and other supports through the older youth provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which became law at the end of 2020. In addition to creating a moratorium on […]
DHCS Launches Web Page for Medi-Cal for Former Foster Youth
DHCS has launched a web page on Medi-Cal for Former Foster Youth. This site is a great resource and contains information about receiving Medi-Cal coverage until age 26 regardless of income and instructions on how to apply for the FFY program.
YLC Releases Survey/Recommendations on Congregate Care
At the Youth Law Center we are continuing our work to ensure that children and youth who must be removed from home are placed in family settings rather than in congregate care facilities. We have just released a paper entitled “State Policies on Non-Family Foster Care Settings.” The paper surveys state policies that restrict congregate care […]
Drive to Give Youth Time
By Jocelyn Wiener | Sacramento Bee — Three years ago, Christopher Rambadt was stabbed to death along the American River. He was 22 years old and homeless, an emotionally disturbed, developmentally delayed young man who had been a ward of the state until he was 18. What would have happened if he had stayed in the state's care […]