Alliance For Childrens Rights

THE ALLIANCE OFFERS FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO CHILDREN IMPACTED BY POVERTY & FOSTER CARE.

SYSTEM-WIDE REFORMTHE ALLIANCE WORKS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS IN OUR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS. THROUGH ITS WORK WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS, AS WELL AS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE, THE ALLIANCE IS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE TRENDS, IDENTIFY SYSTEMIC ISSUES AND PURSUE REFORM THROUGH LITIGATION, LEGISLATIVE, OR ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE ALLIANCE ALSO CONDUCTS TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE, LEGAL, EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ON THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES' CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO ASSIST THEM, AND BEST PRACTICES TO PROMOTE THEIR WELLBEING.

EDUCATIONMORE THAN HALF OF ALL CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. THIS, COMBINED WITH FREQUENT MOVES AND SCHOOL CHANGES, RESULTS IN A 50% SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATE. THE ALLIANCE LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THESE CHILDREN BY ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO RECEIVE ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATION SERVICES, AND THERAPIES TAILORED TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT REACHING CHILDREN AT A YOUNG AGE WILL IMPROVE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES LATER. IN RESPONSE, THE ALLIANCE CREATED THE SALTZ FAMILY EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER WHICH INCREASES ACCESS TO TREATMENTS AND SERVICES FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AGES 0 - 5 EVERY YEAR. THE ALLIANCE ALSO WORKS TO KEEP YOUTH SUCCEEDING IN SCHOOL AND ON TRACK FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, BY TRAINING EDUCATORS WHO WORK WITH STUDENTS RECOVERING FROM TRAUMA, AND BY ENSURING THEY ARE RECEIVING APPROPRIATE CREDITS, TUTORING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER SERVICES TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATION, EVEN WHEN THEY MUST CHANGE SCHOOLS.

OPPORTUNITY YOUTH COLLABORATIVETHE LOS ANGELES OPPORTUNITY YOUTH COLLABORATIVE (LA OYC), LED BY THE ALLIANCE, IS A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRANSITION AGE FOSTER YOUTH FROM AGES 14 THROUGH 24. TOO OFTEN, EFFORTS TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE'S TRANSITION FROM FOSTER CARE TO INDEPENDENCE FALL SHORT, DUE TO SERVICE GAPS AND LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS. TO OVERCOME THOSE GAPS, THE LA OYC BRINGS TOGETHER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES, COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND EMPLOYERS TO ADDRESS THE BARRIERS THAT IMPEDE FOSTER YOUTH AND CREATE PATHWAYS FOR THEM TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND AT WORK. BY ALIGNING SERVICES, SHARING INFORMATION, IDENTIFYING BEST PRACTICES, INCORPORATING THE VOICES OF FOSTER YOUTH IN SOLUTIONS THAT AFFECT THEM, AND BUILDING THE CAPACITY OF AGENCIES WITH TRAINING AND SUPPORT, THE LA OYC IS BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP FOSTER YOUTH SUCCEED IN THEIR EDUCATION AND CAREERS.