Category: Etc.
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We oppose family separation at the border (and everywhere else)
Our clinic has joined with 540 organizations across the country to oppose the forced separation of children and parents at the border. There is no legal, policy-based, or moral justification for harming children in an attempt to deter their parents from seeking asylum or entry into the United States. The Administration has options to keep…
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APD: dependent children are “automatically” and “immediately” off the wait list when reunified
The Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities issued a declaratory statement this month, at the request of the Children & Youth Law Clinic, clarifying that foster children on the wait list for developmental disability services will be immediately placed into the waiver program upon the presentation of an order reunifying the child with their parents.…
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Extended Foster Care Rules Go Live Monday
After approximately 23 months of sometimes intense debate, DCF’s administrative rules on Extended Foster Care will go into effect on Monday, November 2, 2015. They can be found here or by searching at www.flrules.gov. The final rules focus heavily on a youth’s admission and discharge from the program, including clarifying eligibility requirements and appeal procedures. Many of the…
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On what I would change
I was talking with someone recently about what we’d change in the system if we had a magic wand. I decided against the normal lines of “more money” or “better services,” and said make it trustworthy, safe, and welcomed by the families it’s supposed to serve. Build relationships with people and communities before the children are even born, not…
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@MyFLFamilies how many kids are in extended foster care?
It’s been two weeks since the new Independent Living Program took effect. I’m interested to know how many kids have successfully enrolled in extended foster care in that time. Can I tweet an open records request? FSA 119.
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Child Abuse Ad that Only Kids Can See
An advertising friend of mine sent this to me: via Gizmodo. Set aside that this is an advertiser bragging about their own cleverness. I think the fact that cleverness is required forces people to confront that kids are more likely to be abused by family members than by strangers. Reaching those kids has always been…
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Criminal contempt for skipping school?
Is there any legal authority for a judge to order a dependent child to attend school and then hold her in contempt when she skips? I’ve heard that a child is currently sitting in juvenile detention over the weekend under those exact circumstances. (Note: not one of my clients.) Edit: A quick Westlaw search of…
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Follow me @robertlathamesq
With the upcoming demise of Google Reader, my previous newsfeed aggregator of choice, I’ve switched over to feedly. The upshot of this is significantly improved ease of sharing, which is why my twitter is suddenly overflowing with interesting things. Follow me on twitter: @robertlathamesq Or like me on facebook: facebook.com/robertlathamesq (Be sure to tweet at…