Press Releases
Judge Approves Settlement Agreement in South Florida Foster Care Reform
“Too many young people were being harmed by the very system that was supposed to protect and support them” Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org (Tallahassee, FL) – A federal judge has given final approval to a settlement that promises dramatic improvements to the state’s foster care system as operated by the Florida Department of Children […]
August 12, 2019“Public Charge” Rule Ultimately Harms Innocent Children
Today the Trump Administration announced it would move forward with a new “public charge” rule that would make it more difficult for immigrants to qualify for a green card. Specifically, the expanded public charge rule would penalize those who have accepted specific public benefits, including housing assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and Medicaid. Sandy […]
August 8, 2019Roadmap for Reform: Latest Monitoring Report Highlights Focus Areas Ahead in Connecticut Child Welfare Lawsuit
Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org (Bridgeport, CT) – Today an independent court monitor released the latest report on Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to improve its child welfare system, showing that, while the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has maintained performance in several measures under the court-ordered 2017 Revised Exit Plan, there are five outstanding areas […]
July 18, 2019DeKalb County Jail Charged with Systemic Failure to Provide Education Services to Incarcerated Youth with Disabilities
Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org (ATLANTA) – Every child with a disability is entitled by federal law to a free, appropriate public education, including specially designed instruction necessary to ensure their academic success. But according to a federal class-action law suit filed today, students held at the DeKalb County Jail are denied the opportunity to receive […]
July 15, 2019Historic Missouri Settlement Targets Dangerous Use of Psychotropic Drugs in Foster Care System
Precedent-Setting Agreement Will Safeguard Missouri Children and Impact Children in Foster Care Nationwide Media Contacts: Children’s Rights—Daniel Kessel, 908-304-5106; dkessel@childrensrights.org National Center for Youth Law—Patricia Guinto, 626-512-4974; pguinto@youthlaw.org Saint Louis University School of Law Legal Clinics—Jessica Ciccone, 314-977-7248; jessica.ciccone@slu.edu Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP—Natalie Gewargis, 312-324-1182; natalie.gewargis@morganlewis.com (Kansas City, MO) – A federal judge has […]
July 11, 2019Children’s Rights Statement on Impending ICE Raids
(New York, NY) – In response to the current administration’s action once again directing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct a mass roundup of migrant families, Children’s Rights Executive Director, Sandy Santana, issued this statement: “The ICE raids are a display of brute showmanship, not a real solution of any kind. The administration […]
July 9, 2019Dr. Rashad Richey Joins Children’s Rights Southern Steering Committee
Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org (ATLANTA) – Children’s Rights is pleased to announce that media personality and social justice advocate Dr. Rashad Richey has been named to its Southern Steering Committee. Richey joins a team of community leaders dedicated to guiding and supporting Children’s Rights as the national nonprofit organization expands its presence in the […]
June 21, 2019Children’s Rights Statement on the Trump Administration’s “Family Op” Policy
(New York, NY) – In response to President Trump directing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct a mass roundup of migrant families, which is likely to begin with predawn raids in major U.S. cities on Sunday, Children’s Rights Executive Director, Sandy Santana, issued this statement: “The Trump administration’s purported plan to enact ICE […]
June 13, 2019Visionaries Features Landmark Children’s Rights Case
“How one of the worst child welfare systems became one of the best” Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org (New York, NY) – A successful Children’s Rights lawsuit that transformed Tennessee’s foster care system into a model for the nation is the subject of a public television documentary airing this month. It was produced by The Visionaries, […]
June 11, 2019Children’s Rights, Faith Leaders Launch Interfaith Coalition to Fight Foster Care and Adoption Discrimination
Coalition will mobilize faith communities against a “license to discriminate” Contact: Daniel Kessel, 646-216-3343, dkessel@childrensrights.org NEW YORK – Amid reports that the Trump Administration is planning to allow foster care and adoption agencies nationwide to discriminate against prospective foster parents and children under the guise of “religious freedom,” Children’s Rights, a national organization advocating for foster […]
