Advocates Gala Update
We’ve got some exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that Supervisor Sheila Kuehl will be joining us for the Advocates Gala, which will be held at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento on June 8th. Supervisor Kuehl will be there to help us honor her sister, Judge Jerilyn Borack, who spent the vast majority of her judicial career presiding over matters to do with children and families. Judge Borack will be recognized for her dedication, innovation and leadership in the field of child welfare. We are also excited to honor Ticket to Dream for the ongoing support they have provided to our young clients over the years. We hope to see you in Sacramento for a fun evening to celebrate a great cause! If you cannot make it to the event, please consider donating for a chance to win our treasure chest. Beyonce tickets in Las Vegas, tickets to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and passes to Crocker Art Museum are just a few of the items you can win!
Thank You Jack and Jill of America, Santa Clarita!
Jack and Jill of America is a family organization dedicated to developing children and fostering life-long friendships with other families in the community. We are so grateful to the Antelope Valley/Santa Clarita Chapter for selecting CLC as the recipient of their Double Good Popcorn fundraiser! CLC represents thousands of children and youth in the Antelope Valley and this generous donation will help us better serve our clients and make sure they have everything they need to be successful. We are so grateful to the teen leaders that organized this fundraiser and to Jack and Jill for believing in CLC’s important work.
In Loving Memory of Andrea
“Andy” Gleaves
It is with great sadness that we share the passing
of CLC’s Communication Manager, Andrea
Gleaves. Andy spent her career advocating for
others, working for over a decade in Washington
DC with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence
before joining CLC in 2020. Despite the challenges
of star)ng a new job in the height of the
pandemic, Andy quickly became an integral part
of the CLC family – bringing her incredible talent,
compassion, creativity, wit, and great sense of
humor. Her dedication to children in foster care
and marginalized communities was evident as she
poured her heart and soul into her work. Andy
was an important and well-loved member of
CLC’s Administration Team, and she will be deeply
missed.
Jessner
Board Member Spotlight: Pat Phillips
Our esteemed board member, Patricia Phillips,
was recently honored with the inaugural Elizabeth
L. Kenney Women Lawyer’s Award. The award,
whose namesake was the first woman to practice
law in Los Angeles, was bestowed upon Pat by the
President’s Advisory Committee on Women in the
Legal Profession (PAC Women) this past
November in recognition of her trailblazing
career. One of only six women in her law school
class, Pat plowed through the male-dominated
status-quo – holding coveted positions in the
courts and at prominent law firms. Career
highlights include facilitating the first same-sex
couple adoption in LA County when there were
no legal protections as well as being elected as
the LA County Bar Association’s first female
president…to name only a few. This ceremony
was made all the more special by Pat’s own
daughter, Honorable Samantha P. Jessner,
Presiding Judge of Los Angeles County, who
presented her with the award.
We are so very grateful for Pat’s dedicated
service as a CLC Board member. We would not be
where we are today without her!
Congratulations CLC Authors!
Special congratulations to CLC5 Attorney Supervisor Meredith Alexander and CLC3 Attorney Supervisor Patsy Moore for their contributions to the National Association of Counsel for Children’s (NACC) Child Welfare Law and Practice, 4 th Ed. (commonly known as the “Red Book.”) Meredith and Patsy wrote the chapter on Collateral Proceedings. NACC trains and certifies attorneys who represent children, families, and agencies; supports a diverse community of professionals; and advocates for policy reform alongside young people and families. NACC’s Red Book is frequently used by attorneys seeking Child Welfare Law Specialist (CWLS) certification and is one of the preeminent resources for child welfare practitioners in the nation. The Collateral Proceedings chapter that Meredith and Patsy authored covers criminal, domestic violence, family law, and administrative appeals proceedings, among others. In alignment with CLC’s strategic plan, Meredith and Patsy ensured that reducing disproportionality and disparate treatment of youth and families of color was a central focus in discussing these hearings and how they relate to the practice of child welfare law. Thank you, Meredith and Patsy, for bringing your expertise to child welfare attorneys across the nation!
May is National Foster Care Month!
May is National Foster Care Month
With May’s designation as both “Mental
Health Awareness Month” and “Foster Care
Awareness Month,” we are mindful of the
mental health challenges faced by many of
our young clients in foster care, as well as
by their families and communities.
CLC’s Mental Health Advocacy Team, better
known as “MHAT,” is a targeted in-house
program providing support for our clients
struggling with mental health issues. CLC’s
small but mighty duo of psychologist Dr.
Kevin Jervik and attorney Blakely Hamilton
work to improve the emotional well-being
and functioning of CLC clients. They
collaborate with the case-carrying attorney,
other CLC specialists and stakeholders
throughout the state to develop
appropriate housing and service plans for
CLC’s clients.
MHAT’s services are a critical piece of our
advocacy; we are proud of the important
work that MHAT – as well as all CLC staff –
devote themselves to every day!
CLC’s Advocacy Reaches Hermance Switzerland!
Kudos to CLC Attorney, Lori Schroeder, who recently presented at the Global Initiative on Justice with Children expert meeting! Lori attended a three-day workshop at the Fondation Brocher in Hermance, Switzerland, identifying how United Nations member states may protect the rights of children and young people with Neuro-disability. Children and youth who come into contact with the law are significantly more likely to have a Neurodisability, the most common being Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) caused by abuse, accidents, fights, and assaults. Recent studies have shown TBI to be present in more than half of incarcerated young people. Too often these youth are held accountable and penalized for problematic TBI-related behaviors rather than treated for their medical issues. Lori had the opportunity to present at the Brain Sciences and Children Accused of Crimes Expert Meeting on the responses to children with Neuro-disability in the criminal justice system. We are so proud of Lori for representing CLC and for collaborating with global thought leaders in our shared commitment to develop evidence-based strategies and policies to ensure fair and effective justice for children. Lori, you exemplify CLC’s commitment to excellence in advocacy!