We Will Redouble Our Efforts for Youth in the Child Welfare and Justice Systems

Executive Director, Susan V. Mangold; Deputy Director and Chief Counsel, Marsha Levick,
Group of students standing in front of MLK monument in Washington, DC.

Above: At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, youth advocates from Florida who presented at our September Congressional briefing and White House meeting on the high cost of fines and fees in the juvenile justice system.

Dear friends, colleagues and supporters,

As most of you know, Juvenile Law Center has worked for over 40 years on behalf of the most vulnerable and marginalized youth and families in our country. We have worked to promote fairness, prevent harm, ensure access to appropriate services, and create opportunities for success for youth in the foster care and justice systems.  These young people are disproportionately youth of color, poor, immigrant, LGBTQ and/or have a disability. We stand strongly alongside these vulnerable youth. 

The results of last week’s Presidential election have caused fear, anxiety and uncertainty in our communities and especially among the youth we serve. During the campaign, Donald Trump used racist and bigoted language against people of color, immigrants, Americans with disabilities, Muslims, women and others.  It is unacceptable that a presidential candidate could spew such hateful speech. Our country has a history of oppression and violence toward marginalized people that we cannot deny and must oppose at every opportunity.  Sadly, this rhetoric seems to have further emboldened those with discriminatory views. While they existed before the election season, recent reports of acts of hate and bigotry against children in schools and throughout our communities are being tied by the perpetrators to the election and have rattled our sense of security and trust in our institutions.

It is with all of this in mind that we pledge to you that we will redouble our efforts to fight for justice on behalf of all children involved in our child welfare and justice systems.   

We have partnered with you through seven Presidential administrations to develop strategies for successful advocacy, working with members of both parties in all branches of government.  Just six weeks ago, President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation that drew attention to many of the issues we have been working on: the over-representation of youth of color at every stage of the system; the harmful effects of trying adolescents as adults; the impact of trauma on youth; and the need for expungement of records. President Obama specifically addressed the importance of reducing fees and fines imposed on youth in the justice system.  Less than a year ago, President Obama issued a ban on solitary confinement for youth held in the federal system. The administration issued landmark guidance on educational opportunities for youth in foster care and in the juvenile justice system.

To ease the transition from foster care for youth with disabilities, the Social Security Administration extended its timelines to apply for benefits.  Bi-partisan legislation has been awaiting Congressional action that would reduce incarceration, prohibit solitary confinement and reform some of the most abusive aspects of our justice system.  We must work together to ensure that President-elect Trump does not roll back the reforms implemented by President Obama on behalf of children in the child welfare and justice systems, or ignore or withdraw support for important legislation currently pending before Congress. 

To the youth we serve, we hear your fears and frustration.  We will continue to work tirelessly to amplify your voices to reform the systems meant to serve you.

Now more than ever, Juvenile Law Center’s national leadership in advocating for fair and just systems that serve our most vulnerable youth is critical. We have made great strides, especially in the last decade, but we know these gains are fragile without vigilance.  

Thank you for your support and partnership. Together, we will continue to be effective advocates for our youth.

About the Expert
Susan Vivian Mangold is CEO of Juvenile Law Center and a Professor Emeritus at University at Buffalo School of Law, where she taught for over 20 years and served as Vice Dean for Academics. Mangold was also Chair of the University-wide Strategic Strength in Civic Engagement and Public Policy, and brings her expertise in community-based research to Juvenile Law Center.

Marsha Levick co-founded Juvenile Law Center in 1975. Throughout her legal career, Levick has been an advocate for children’s and women's rights and is a nationally recognized expert in juvenile law.

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