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Tag: foster care youth

Law center serves foster youth – Minnesota Lawyer

“…The need for volunteer attorneys is greater than ever. [Lilia] Panteleeva stresses that no prior experience is needed, just compassion for the kids. She has worked with attorneys who have no courtroom experience, or work in practices as far removed… Read More

Spring 2021 COVID Updates for Youth in Foster Care

Our clients face many barriers to housing and stability, and are most vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic, unemployment and America’s reckoning with race. CLC is working closely with the courts to address the needs of our… Read More

COVID-19 Court Coverage During the Outbreak

  In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Judicial Branch implemented several changes to its court calendar and cases.  http://mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/CIOMediaLibrary/Limited-Court-Service-Case-Priorities-List-with-Definitions.pdf  Additionally, on March 20, 2020 Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued a statewide order, ADM20-8001 Continuing Operations of the Courts… Read More

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: JESSICA KERR

Jessica is a relatively new volunteer attorney with CLC. In 2011, along with several other Medtronic Attorneys, Jessica became involved with CLC. Jessica currently represents an older foster care youth and her representation of this youth has been outstanding.

Foster Youth & Identity Theft

New legislation was adopted and went into effect on 10.1.2011 to aide in protecting foster youth from identity theft. The “Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act” added a new section to 42 U.S.C. 675(5) concerning foster youth ID theft.

Max’s Story

Max has been fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. Like many foster children he is a victim of abuse and neglect by both of his parents. Following placement in emergency protective custody it became evident that Max would need indefinite care away from his biological parents. From a young age Max has displayed significant developmental and behavioral issues as a result of his chaotic young life. Aggressive outbursts coupled with low socialization skills, need for constant supervision, and difficulty in educational settings made finding a placement for him very problematic. Max has frequently moved and in the past decade has seen more than a dozen placements.

Andrea’s Story

My first memory is my mom slapping me. I lived with her when I was little, but I don’t remember much else about her. When I was 5, I was sent to live with my dad and my Nana.

Lily’s Story

I lived with my dad until I was five. He loved me a lot but couldn’t take care of me. He was out of work because he had an injury. Sometimes he bought beer and drugs instead of food. The heater in our house was broken…

Darius & Harvey’s Story

Darius and Harvey are brothers who were removed from their mother’s care after she was arrested for illegal drug use. The boys were eight and nine years old. While in care, the boys were separated and sent to different placements. Darius and Harvey were lucky enough to be placed in the home of relatives, Harvey with his father and Darius with an aunt. However, family friction between the father and aunt strained regular communication between the brothers. CLC was appointed to represent Darius to advocate for him and his impending adoption by the aunt.

Isabelle’s Story: As Told by Her Volunteer Attorney

Her sobbing plea haunted me: “Get me out of here!” Isabelle was just barely 12 years old and loved her school. She played the violin in the orchestra and was doing very well in her classes but she was also a cutter. “Cutting” is a form of self-harm without suicidal intent. Following a cutting incident, Isabelle was expelled from her group home and placed in a juvenile detention center…