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Children's Law Center
@childrenslawcenter.org
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Together with DC children & families, Children’s Law Center uses the law to solve children’s urgent problems today, improve the systems that will affect their lives tomorrow and strengthen our community so that change endures.

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childrenslawcenter.org
Happy holidays from all of us at Children’s Law Center 🎁

As we reflect on this year, we’re grateful for the families, partners and supporters we work with to advocate for DC children. Wishing our community a season filled with warmth, hope, and moments of rest as we look ahead to the new year.
December 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Hundreds of students face major hurdles in receiving the right educational support and obtaining evaluations that identify learning disabilities.
@daniellerobinette.bsky.social spoke as an expert witness before the DC Council, underscoring how systemic barriers deny meaningful access to education.
December 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Our policy analyst Chris Gamble got a big shout out today for bringing a concrete solution to an urgent budget issue! Creating a 988 fee will ensure predictable funding as DC works to enhance its crisis response system. Thank you @chenderson.bsky.social for introducing this important bill.
December 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
SOUL is a youth-driven, new permanency goal for older youth in foster care. SOUL legally recognizes the circle of loving adults in an older youth’s life who are committed to their future. We are excited to keep moving this key legislation forward! @cmzparker5.bsky.social
Photo of Zaniya Torres speaking into a microphone. Quote: "SOUL is deeply meaningful to us because it embodies what we all need and deserve - a sense of love, belonging, and a lasting family, even after foster care."
December 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Tune in tmrw as @cmzparker5.bsky.social & @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social hold a hearing on a bill to establish SOUL, a new permanency goal for older youth in foster care. Individuals w/ experience in care will share why SOUL is needed & how they developed the bill with government agencies & partners.
"SOUL family is important to me because it provides a pathway that has been waiting to be explored. It lets young people take the wheel and be in control of their own life and their permanency, which is something I did not have." - Jamarri White "I had a lot of people determining what direction my life should go, down to my education, my health, and my housing. SOUL acts as a bridge between youth and trusted adults as partners, not as a wall or barrier between them." - Princess Simms "We have young adults who are faced with choosing services or community. The reality is that you can have all the services in the world, but if you don't have a community, you won't be able to reach your full potential." - Cierra Bailey "SOUL stands out as a transformative initiative in the child welfare system because it was led by lived experts - people like me who have had direct, personal experience with the system." - Keniya Parks
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Yesterday our new Policy Attorney Patrick Cothern testified in support of the Housing with Integrity Amendment Act of 2025. TY @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social @cmfrumin.bsky.social for introducing the bill & @brianneknadeau.bsky.social for your thoughtful questions!
Photo of a man in a suit testifying at the DC Council building. The chyron says "Public Hearing: You are watching the Council of the District of Columbia Committee on Public Works and Operations."
October 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Last week @cmzparker5.bsky.social introduced the SOUL Amendment Act, which will help older youth in foster care leave the system with legal, caring relationships and lasting supports as they take on adult responsibilities. Thank you CM Parker for bringing this important bill to the Council!
SOUL empowers older you to build their own chosen families, given them autonomy and control when it comes to this crucial aspect of their lives. Because home is not just a place -- it's about the people. Graphic of three people putting together a house (like a puzzle).
October 16, 2025 at 6:29 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
We also want to highlight these important safety tips from @freedcproject.bsky.social:
August 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
We join all who are voicing concerns about President Trump's unwarranted federal intervention in the District. Read our full statement here: childrenslawcenter.org/news/stateme...
Statement - one of three graphics: “More than 100,000 children call DC home. “President Trump’s unwarranted federal intervention and derogatory and inaccurate characterization of our community will erode their trust in the very institutions—including law enforcement—that are meant to serve and protect them. ... Image 2 of 3: “Using fabricated data to justify the use of federal and military intervention in DC weakens our democracy and puts our entire nation at greater risk. “If you do not live in DC, please share your concerns with your Congressional representatives. For our DC neighbors, stay vigilant and educate yourself on how to stay safe. Image 3 of 3: “To our entire Children’s Law Center community, please continue to speak up to protect DC and our children.”
August 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
It is unthinkable to take this key resource away when so many children and youth are struggling. We're calling on @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire DC Council to find $693K to keep this critical program running.
Quote from Lovannia Dofat-Avent of Catholic Charities DC that says: With the proposed cuts, ‘we basically cease to exist.’
July 27, 2025 at 5:48 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
School-based clinicians have shared that if ChAMPS is not available, more children will be hospitalized -- costing DC more money and causing children to experience additional trauma.
Quote from Children’s Law Center's Behavioral Health Policy Analyst Chris Gamble that says: "It’s acknowledged by the community – by the government itself – that we have a lot of gaps. To essentially intentionally open another gap doesn’t make sense."
July 27, 2025 at 5:48 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
We are excited to announce our new ‘Families Together’ program which allows us to reach DC children and families sooner —forming new partnerships with community-based organizations and government agencies, all with the goal of strengthening families impacted by poverty.
July 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Losing ChAMPS would be a devastating blow not only to families and youth, but to schools. At a time when so many youth are struggling, it is incomprehensible to think of taking away such a critical resource for school staff. @chmnmendelson.bsky.social @cmchenderson.bsky.social
"Did we give any notice to the education cluster that we could be cutting this support for during the day? Because what they did prior to ChAMPS was they called 911" - Councilmember Christina Henderson. Text over a photo of Christina Henderson.
July 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
An effective crisis response system includes someone to call, someone to respond, and a safe place to go. For youth in DC, ChAMPS provides that response. If funding is not restored to $1.37M, our city’s only crisis response team for children will cease to exist. @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social
"When there is a behavioral health crisis, there must be resources for residents t have someone to talk to, for there to be someone to respond, and for there to be a place to go for those in crisis and in need." - Councilmember Brooke Pinto. Text over photo of Brooke Pinto.
July 23, 2025 at 5:12 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Our Equal Justice Works Fellow, Sierra Campbell, was hooked on the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine growing up—drawn in by the adventures, mysteries, and unexpected twists. “I still love Halloween and anything spooky,” she shares. #CLCFavBooks ✨📚👻
July 17, 2025 at 5:57 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
We appreciate that @cmfrumin.bsky.social and the Human Services Committee tried removing some harmful provisions in Subtitle K, but what's left would still hurt thousands of DC families, eliminating their basic rights.
July 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Senior Policy Attorney Leah Castelaz joined local + natl partners at the Doula Learning and Action Collaborative in Las Vegas. Together, they developed actionable strategies that support family stability from day one. Thank you to the Institute for Medicaid Innovation for convening the group!
July 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
We ask that the Council fund ChAMPS at its full FY25 level of $1.37M to prevent further reductions in service hours. @chmnmendelson.bsky.social @robertwhitedc.bsky.social @anitabondsdc.bsky.social @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social @brianneknadeau.bsky.social @cmfrumin.bsky.social
Each unmet crisis is a missed opportunity to intervene in cycles of trauma and prevent future harm.
July 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Thank you @cmchenderson.bsky.social @cmzparker5.bsky.social @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social and others for continuing to push for a behavioral health system that effectively serves children and families in the District – even under difficult financial circumstances.
“Given the significant needs of young people, I challenge the notion that there isn’t a need for these crisis intervention services.” – Councilmember Zachary Parker
July 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
In FY25, ChAMPS was funded to operate from 8am-8pm M-F, and it wasn’t enough then. Even further reductions will result in more children being hospitalized & more police being pulled away from law enforcement to respond to behavioral health crises they aren’t equipped to handle.
“ChAMPS […] could be a real key in coordinating services for children, getting the services they need to remain in their homes…. It’s just not adequate right now. The children aren’t getting the services. They’re ending up being institutionalized needlessly.” - Andrea Procaccino, Disability Rights DC
July 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
A few months ago, @cmchenderson.bsky.social & @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social held a robust hearing on humane and trauma-informed crisis response in the District. Now, in the final weeks of FY26 budget deliberations, we must ensure adequate funding for those badly needed services.
The District's only crisis response team dedicated to children and adolescents is facing a severe reduction in funding.
July 7, 2025 at 9:31 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Our CEO Judith Sandalow joined leaders from 20+ orgs in DC, urging the @councilofdc.bsky.social to reverse cuts to social services, which threaten efforts to improve quality of life for residents. We can't achieve healthy, thriving communities with the budget as is. www.dcfpi.org/nonprofitlea...
July 1, 2025 at 5:07 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Children’s Law Center is among many legal service orgs that rely on stable #AccessToJustice Initiative funding to be able to serve our clients and preserve stable communities across DC. We urge @councilofdc.bsky.social to restore FULL funding to #ATJ! #restoreATJfunding @chmnmendelson.bsky.social
June 30, 2025 at 8:22 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
Thank you @chenderson.bsky.social and @brianneknadeau.bsky.social for ensuring that the Nurse-Family Partnership program can continue providing critical services. While we know there is more work to do on home visiting in the District, this investment is a big win for children and families.
Photo of Councilmember Christina Henderson with a quote from her: "Home visitors deliver critical early intervention support, including education and coaching, to expecting parents and families with young children with the goal of improving their health outcomes."
June 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
childrenslawcenter.org
TY @cmlewisgeorgew4.bsky.social and the Cmte on Facilities for transferring $$$ to restore Safe Shores funding. We look forward to working with the Council to prioritize recurring funding for this essential program. @cmfrumin.bsky.social, @brianneknadeau.bsky.social & @chenderson.bsky.social
Quote from Councilmember Robert White: [Safe Shores] is not a program that should not be on the chopping block every year.
June 23, 2025 at 6:20 PM