Articles

An Introduction to Child Trafficking in the United States

By Katherine Kaufka Walts

The latest government estimates state that approximately 14,500–17,500 men, women, and children are trafficked into the United States each year.

Special Education Advocacy at School Meetings: Part 2

By Erin Han, Janeen Schlotzer, and Richard Cozzola

Individual education program meetings can quickly get derailed with many layers of issues, so it is important to have a system to make sure that all of your issues get addressed.

Lessons Learned Through Child Welfare Litigation

By Alet A. Brown

Transitioning into the field of child advocacy is not child's play—it requires a new way of thinking and the realization that an advocate's job is to be the voice of the child.

A Voice for the Young Child with an Incarcerated Parent

By Lynne Reckman and Debra Rothstein

When a parent is incarcerated, it is important that the systems surrounding the family recognize the significance of the child-parent relationship.

Parent Representation Project Promotes Permanence

By Angelica Ramos

The Parent Representation Project was created to enhance the quality of defense representation in dependency and termination hearings in the state of Washington.

The Crisis of Child Identity Theft

By Cathy Krebs and Amy Harfeld

Children are targeted for identity theft 51 times more frequently than adults.

Protecting Mothers Against Gender-Plus Bias: Part 1

By Diane L. Redleaf

Some mothers risk losing custody of their children because they fall into a gender-specific category, such as being a victim of domestic violence or having depression.

The Changing Landscape of Second-Parent Adoptions

By Leslie M. Fenton and Ann Fenton

Despite recent legal victories for same-sex couples, many are stymied when they try to seek legal protection for their relationships with their children.

Special Education Advocacy at School Meetings: Part 1

By Erin Han, Janeen Schlotzer, and Richard Cozzola

When working on behalf of a student in need of special education services, most initial advocacy can take place in meetings at the student's public school.

Part 2: LGBTQ Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

By Amanda Valentino

Advocates for young LGBTQ clients need to take a multidimensional approach to recognize their particular concerns.

The National Conference on Children and the Law

By David Lansner

The 14th ABA National Conference on Children and the Law provided advice and training for attorneys representing children.

Conference Provides Resources for Parents' Attorneys

By Darice M. Good and Diana Rugh Johnson

The National Parents' Attorneys Conference is a valuable opportunity for parents' attorneys to gather, share ideas, compare notes, and share war stories.

A New Look at Section 504 and the ADA in Special Education Cases

By Mark C. Weber

While school districts are cutting back on who is protected under IDEA, a recent amendment to section 504 and the ADA has greatly expanded coverage.

The OCR as a Tool in Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline

By Rosa K. Hirji and Benétta M. Standly

How much can we rely on the OCR to remedy the school-to-prison pipeline in communities of color, and does this represent a step forward?

Book Review: Trial Advocacy for the Child Welfare Lawyer

By Ann M. Haralambie

Marvin Ventrell's book is a logical extension of the annual RMCATI training programs and fills a void on the bookshelves of child welfare lawyers.

Part 1: LGBTQ Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

By Amanda Valentino

Although some safeguards are in place to ensure the safety of LGBTQ youth in detention facilities, more can be done to promote awareness and keep all LGBTQ youth safe.

School Expulsion: A Life Sentence?

By Sarah Biehl

The parallels between children who have been sentenced to prison and children who lose the right to complete their educations are stark.

Preparing Foster Youth for Adulthood

By Rachel Kleinberg and Patsy Moore

Youth still in long-term foster care at the age of majority face significant challenges as they transition into adulthood.

Addressing the Health Needs of Court-Involved Youth

By Eva J. Klain

The health and well-being of court-involved children and youth is dependent on well-informed and knowledgeable legal advocates.

Constance McMillen: Extending the Rights of LGBT Students

By Alysson Mills

When Constance McMillen, a senior at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi, was told she could not take her girlfriend to the prom, she took a stand.

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Seizure, Questioning of Children in Schools

By Diane L. Redleaf

Camreta/Alford v. Greene has the potential to significantly impact children's and parent's interests in privacy, safety, and family life.

The CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010: What Advocates Should Know

By Howard Davidson

CAPTA is an important source of funding for child welfare agencies and a source of funding for some innovative dependency court programs.

Counting All Children: ABA Conference Focuses on Truancy

By Laura Faer and Catherine Krebs

It costs three times more to imprison someone than to educate them, proving Frederick Douglass' quote that "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

Enforcing a Right to Counsel for Children: The Time is Now

By Catherine Krebs

Legal representation provides the child with a voice. It can be the difference between a future the child embraces and one they reject. For the children, the time is now.