Category: News & Notes
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Secretary Wilkins Fixes DCF, Goes to Disney World
The man in charge of the Florida Department of Children and Families has a new job to add to his current one and that’s raising some concerns. Gov. Rick Scott is making David Wilkins Florida’s new Chief Operating Officer for Government Operations. Wilkins will take on that job and continue to serve as secretary of…
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#NovaChildRep Symposium
I’ll be attending, tweeting (@robertlathamesq), and possibly live blogging (if there is somewhere to set up) the Legal Representation of Children Symposium at Nova Southeastern University today. Hope to see you there.
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Professor Annino files Cert Petition on Child’s Right to Counsel
News has traveled at this point that FSU Professor Paolo Annino has filed a petition in the First DCA placing the issue of a child’s right to counsel squarely before the court. In his case, the child is fighting a TPR petition that is brought by DCF and supported by the GAL. The child moved…
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Family and Foster Care Related SCOTUS Cases
The 2011 Supreme Court Session kicked off yesterday. Family law is not much dealt with at the federal level, and this session is no exception. However, here are a few cases (and their OA dates) that may have some impact on families, and children and youth in and out of foster care: 10/3/11 – REYNOLDS v.…
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Leave Them Kids Alone
My favorite letter to the editor today. From jacksonville.com: SAGGY PANTS Leave kids alone I’m probably going to be the sole dissenter concerning the article Monday about teen fashion of wearing pants low. I am an adult with a college degree, and I feel that other adults are making far too big of a deal…
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ACLU and Navy Vet Sue DCF Over Drug Testing
The Tampa Bay Online is reporting and my inbox was blowing up all night: the ACLU has filed suit against DCF Secretary Wilkins (in his official capacity of course) over the mandatory drug testing of TANF recipients. The lawsuit was inevitable, but the big question on everybody’s lips today is: will they serve Wilkins at…
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How Often Does Florida DCF Get Sued and Lose Big?
The numbers don’t match up and there’s no explanation of why. For example, there were 19 sex abuse cases, but only 17 perpetrators. I’d also like to see the cases they lost/settled under $15,000. If there are 200 of those, then that’s significant. I’d also like an explanation as to why risk outlays plummeted 66%…
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Tweeting the Florida Dependency Summit #FLDS11
I wrote the organizers of the Florida Dependency Summit about whether there would be a promoted hashtag for the event. I’m still hoping for a response. Until then, I propose #FLDS11 as the tag. Tell your friends and followers! From: Latham, Robert Sent: Sat 8/27/2011 5:13 PM To: ‘amyk@____’ Subject: summit on twitter? Hi Amy,…
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News and Notes: Teachers in MO, Children in France, Catholics in IL
The Missouri law banning teachers from communicating with students and ex-students via the internet is temporary blocked. Via, Volkh. France is struggling with a child’s right to know his or her parents. See, Les Enfants X: denied their true identity. Court rules Illinois can stop contracting with Catholic organizations that will not adopt to gay…
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Congratulations to the Miami Human Rights Clinic
Right from the press release: International Commission Finds United States Denied Justice to Domestic Violence Survivor. Also check the ACLU page on the case. Congratulations to my colleague Carrie Bettinger-Lopez and all the students who worked on this case over many, many years. Phenomenal effort by many, on a huge scale.