Articles & Media

New legislation was adopted and went into effect on 10.1.2011 to aide in protecting foster youth from identity theft. The “Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act” added a new section to 42 U.S.C. 675(5) concerning foster youth ID theft.

7.5.2011
Over the past year, twenty-seven volunteer lawyers from Baker & McKenzie and Medtronic partnered together in a collaborative research project, which studied the laws surrounding healthcare access for children in foster care. Their efforts resulted in the publication of an incredible resource for Children’s Law Center (CLC) and other players in the child welfare system.

2.22.2011
CLC has also developed helpful information for people of all ages to understand their rights and legal options in different situations.

CLC has developed a comprehensive resource guide for youth experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness. This guidebook contains information about the various organizations that provide services for youth, including legal services, shelter, housing, medical services, clothing, food, mental health services, and advocacy.

8.12.10
The Report on FY 2009 Client Outcomes analysis is based on a random sample of forty-one (25%) of the cases closed by CLC in 2009. The report covers a statistical analysis of sampled client demographics, representation, experience, problems, placements, and permanency and education outcomes. The report shows that foster youth with CLC attorneys had fewer foster home placements after they got their attorney, and that 93% of clients sampled achieved positive permanency outcomes.

Updated 6.29.2010
Just added: The Child Attorney’s Role in Promoting Placement Stability-By Lori D. Semke- This article was originally published in Child Welfare 360: Promoting Placement Stability, Spring 2010, by the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare School of Social Work, University of Minnesota.

CLC has put together four brochures for Minnesota metro area foster care children who are in the process of transitioning out of foster care. These brochures contain a comprehensive listing of housing, healthcare, education, and employment resources available to youth and young adults.

Read Minnesota statistics and learn why foster care programs such as Children’s Law Center of Minnesota are so important.

National statistics on foster care, and nationwide statistics on youth transitioning out of foster care. Many studies have documented that the outlook for foster youth who age out is often grim.

1.24.2012
CLC publishes monthly practice points for CLC Volunteer Attorneys and other child advocates who represent children in foster care. These practice points focus on pressing issues for foster care youth, including: placement, education, health, transitioning to adulthood, and many other legal matters pertaining to representing youth in foster care. If you are not currently a CLC Volunteer Attorney and would like to receive CLC’s monthly Practice Point, it will be available as part of the CLC E-Newsletter, which you can sign up for in the newsletter box on the right side of your screen.