July E-Newsletter

It’s here – CLC’s annual Back-to-School Drive is underway! Learn how you can support children in foster care thrive in school. Check out the highlights from the past month, including an attorney spotlight on Brenda Robinson and a budget update in our latest newsletter.

The Supplies to Thrive!

It’s here – CLC’s annual Back-to-School Drive is underway! We are working hard to ensure our clients have everything they need to succeed in the upcoming school year.

Our Back-to-School Drive could not happen without the contributions of our amazing community. Last year, CLC and our incredible partners were able to assemble and distribute over 750 backpacks and supplies to children and youth in foster care in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Placer Counties.

Your involvement in this year’s drive is critical. Can the families we serve count on your support? Here are all the ways you can help: Shop our Amazon Wishlist and your donated items will be delivered directly to us, make a monetary donation, send our flyer to your friends and family and share our campaign on social media!

Attorney Spotlight: Brenda Robinson

Consistency, drive, and grace are three words that describe Brenda Robinson’s legal career. As an attorney at CLC, Brenda Robinson provides exemplary legal representation while pursuing justice for her clients. Brenda is dedicated, genuine, patient, and kind—attributes that help her garner the trust of clients, families, social workers and the court. A steadfast advocate, Brenda gives her clients true voice while seeing even the most challenging cases through to a positive outcome. In addition to her courtroom work, Brenda also helps to better the child welfare law community by mentoring new attorneys, sharing her expertise at conferences all over the world, sitting on local and national commissions, and promoting race equity in the field.

Brenda demonstrates a high caliber of excellence in how she represents clients and in her work. This has not gone unnoticed! CLC is thrilled to share that Brenda will be honored with the Outstanding Legal Advocate Award from the National Association of Counsel for Children at the 45th National Child Welfare Law Conference this August. Said one of her nominators: “Brenda is an outstanding example of the type of legal advocate each child in the child welfare system deserves.” Congratulations Brenda!

We’re Hiring: Join Our Team

Join CLC and become part of a fantastic team of advocates and change-makers representing children and families impacted by the child welfare system. CLC is the largest children’s legal services organization in the nation, currently serving 30,000 clients in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County child welfare systems. Here are a few open positions. For a complete list, click here.

Recruitment and Retention Specialist: This is a new role within CLC designed to deepen existing recruitment efforts, expand networks to reach diverse candidates, and successfully meet CLC’s hiring needs. The Recruitment and Retention Specialist will develop new, creative processes and procedures to develop and maintain a high-quality applicant pool in alignment with CLC’s Strategic Plan.

Operations Assistant (Northern California): The Operations Assistant is critical to CLC’s administrative team. Under the direct supervision of the Northern California Operations Manager, the Operations Assistant is responsible for completing administrative tasks to keep the department running smoothly.

HR Administrator: The Human Resource Administrator will report directly to the Human Resource Manager. The HR Administrator maintains a high level of confidentiality and works effectively and professionally with various individuals across the organization while interacting appropriately and supportively with CLC employees and adhering to CLC policies.

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. CLC offers an excellent benefits package, including 15 PTO days and 10 sick days in the first year, up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan, and generous Family and Medical Leave and health care plans.

News from Sacramento!

ICYMI: California leadership has once again demonstrated its strong commitment to children and families involved in the child welfare system! Last month, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the 2022-23 state budget bill, which included several vital earmarks – including increased funding for dependency attorneys. Thank you to the Legislature for their ongoing leadership and resolve in ensuring every child and parent involved in the child welfare system has access to high-quality legal representation.

Thank you to budget leadership in both houses: Senator Toni G. Atkins, Senator Nancy Skinner, Speaker Anthony Rendon, Assembly Member Phil Ting, Assembly Member Mark Stone, Assembly Member Cristina Garcia, and Senator María Elena Durazo.

CLC’s six sponsored bills are still moving through their respective houses. Learn more about our legislative priorities by visiting our website.

My Tribe Housing Opening

Earlier this month, our Executive Director Leslie Starr Heimov joined CASA LA and The Right Way Foundation for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for My Tribe Housing. This new housing program will be a home for transition-aged youth who are impacted by foster care. We are thrilled to see new resources to support young men experiencing housing instability.

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