Recent news

Youth advocates share two projects entitled Road Map to Reform, focused on broad system reform for juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

Steven “Speedy” Yates was separated from his mother when he was a 5½-year-old and placed into Philadelphia’s foster care system. The traumatic experience caused him to act out in anger and confusion, throwing frequent temper tantrums. At age 6, Yates was put on medication for his behavior, at the recommendation of a physician.

Daryll McNair admits he was involved in a December 1991 gun fight at a Kansas City house that killed two men. He was 17 years old at the time and sentenced to life without parole.

The major findings from the data are: (1) there are significant racial disparities in the youth that are charged/convicted as adults, (2) costs/fees represent the largest portion of financial obligations assessed against youth, and (3) the total amount of costs/fees assessed has increased 12% since 2009.

A new report from Juvenile Law Center, Southern Poverty Law Center and Education Law Center-PA shows how such policies hurt children in the system and prevent educational attainment.

Da’Shaun Brown was 16 when he was arrested last October in Kansas City and then ordered to stand trial as an adult. Youth of color make up an overwhelming majority — 95% — of those charged and tried as adults in Jackson County. That rate “is especially appalling,” said Kate Burdick, senior attorney at the Juvenile Law Center, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit. Nationally, Black and Hispanic youth account for 66% of the cases that are sent to adult court.

As National Kinship Care month ends, we wanted to reflect on all that we have learned from kin, families, and youth who have provided their brave and honest thoughts for how we can improve our state and national practices surrounding family preservation. There are many policy improvements that can be made, and this final blog in the series will focus on recommendations for lawmakers to consider.

It is said that the most fortunate people are those who have found a calling. When I wandered into the field of child advocacy over 30 years ago, I quickly became one of those fortunate people. I love my work and I am grateful to have worked alongside many passionate and talented lawyers for children.

Traditionally, the world of child welfare has been one that is unpredictable and rather complicated to navigate.  This year has proven to be a challenge, making resources even more scarce due to a pervasive need for support. With so many grabbing at the same bag of resources, it has become crucial to become creative with how to support those we serve.