450 N Syndicate St, Suite 340, St. Paul, MN 55104 info@clcmn.org 651-644-4438

Tag: foster children

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

McKenna’s Law

Minnesota children who are subjects of a juvenile protection petition have a right to a lawyer … and if a child desires a lawyer, the court shall appoint a lawyer to represent the child who is ten years of age or order.

Congress Passes Key Foster Care Education Bill

The recently enacted Uninterrupted Scholars Act (USA) successfully amended the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), that acted as a barrier to child protection agencies receiving foster children’s educational records without parental consent.

Sophie’s Story

Meet CLC Client Sophie and her Volunteer Attorney Anne Lockner

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.

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.

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…