Children's Law Center of Minnesota

	May 12, 2011
	MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH! Who are CLC’s clients? In honor of National Foster Care Month, we thought we would share some information about our clients. CLC provides free legal representation to around 400 foster care youth annually. Who are these youth? Age 0-12 21% 12-17 53% 18-21 26% Gender Female 45% Male 55% Race African American 47% Asian 6% Caucasian 16% Hispanic 6% Native American 10% Multi-Racial 14% The majority of these youth: -Are poor -Have been emotionally, physically, and/or sexually abused -Have a mental health or special needs diagnosis -Take more than two medications -Are at least a year behind their peers in school -Have been separated from a sibling They all have one thing in common: the very people who are supposed to love them unconditionally and protect them have instead neglected them and put them in danger. They have not been provided the very basic things that parents should provide their children; safety, stability, food, clothing, and shelter. When the parents of these children were young, they were often plagued by the same issues that are the cause of our clients entering care today. Abuse and neglect, poverty, untreated mental illnesses and addictions, are all part of the cycle CLC’s clients face. These are not bad kids, but kids who have had bad things happen to them. Unfortunately, for many youth, being taken from their homes does not mean the uncertainty and instability is over. Foster children move from placement to placement and school to school. The adults in their lives, foster parents, social workers, therapists, judges often change. One thing remains constant, Children’s Law Center. CLC’s volunteer lawyers form a confidential, trusting relationship with their foster care clients. Many times, this relationship is the only consistent thing in a foster child’s life. In honor of National Foster Care Month, please consider making a donation to Children’s Law Center to support the work we do to support stability for foster children. Click here to DONATE NOW.
	CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES! CLC would like to congratulate its clients* who will be graduating from high school or college this year. High School Breanna Brown Trevon Brown Brian Carter Rubi Contreras Brandon Green Antoinette Rice Emmanuel Willis College Sekou Moore CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FROM ALL OF US AT CLC! *Volunteers: If we missed the name of your graduating client- please e-mail tkiefer@clcmn.org, so we can recognize them on the CLC website!
	VOLUNTEER CORNER Volunteer of The Month, CLC Volunteer Attorney Practice Point, News and MORE! VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: SARA ERICKSON-NELSON We are proud to announce Sara Erickson-Nelson (pictured left) as our May 2011 volunteer of the month. Sara started volunteering with CLC in 2009. Since 2009, she has represented several children in many challenging cases. Her first case involved two clients and had numerous contested hearings. One of her clients had two separate trials. The first trial lasted several days and ....Read MORE ALL HANDS ON DECK! CLC is requesting ALL HANDS ON DECK! In April alone, CLC was appointed to 31 new cases and 16 clients who had previously been dismissed have re-entered. If you are at all able to take a case, please call Anne Gueinzius at 651.644.4438. If you have not been trained, please call Jessica Passaro at 651.644.4438 to sign up for the next CLC training on June 29th (Details below). If you know someone else who may be interested, please pass this information along to them. CONGRATULATIONS TO: Tom Fraser, Esq. CLC Board Member and CLC Volunteer Attorney, recipient of the *2011 Hennepin County Bar Association’s Professionalism Award* This award is granted with the belief that professionalism fosters respect and trust between lawyers, the judiciary, and the public; serves the best interest of clients; promotes the efficient resolution of disputes; and improves the administration of justice. MAY 2011 VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PRACTICE POINT : Placement Advocacy for Clients in Foster Care Of Minnesota’s 5,410 youth in foster care in 2009, 16.5% were placed with a relative, 43.8% were in non-relative family foster homes, 11.2% were in pre-adoptive homes, and 24.7% were in congregate care—10.1% in group homes and 14.5% in institutions. Youth may spend years in foster care and may live in multiple placements. These youth often live with the insecurity of not knowing where they will live. Click here to READ MORE. UPCOMING TRAININGS Representing Youth in Foster Care CLC’s Next Representing Youth in Foster Care Training will be held: WHEN: June 29, 2011, 8 am-4:30 pm WHERE: Gray Plant Mooty, IDS Center, Minneapolis TO REGISTER: Click HERE to print Registration Form
	NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS Nominate a Hero for Children Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC) is accepting nominations for its Heroes for Children Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the well being of Minnesota’s children in either a career or volunteer position. The nominee may work with children in any area; for example, teaching, health care, legislation, advocacy, physical, spiritual, social, or emotional well being. Past winners of the Heroes for Children Award include: Raeann Ruth, The Portage for Youth; Roy Magnuson, St. Paul Public Schools; Shjon and Sherry Podein, Shjon Podein Children’s Foundation, Sellano Simmons, Esq. volunteer at The Broadway High School, and (pictured left) Minneapolis Police Officers Michael Kirchen and Mark Klukow, Bike Cops for Kids. Nominations should be a one to three page narrative about the nominee’s qualifications, why the nominee deserves the award, and contact information. Please email the nomination to tkiefer@CLCmn.org or send to 450 Syndicate N., #315, St. Paul, MN 55104 by July 15, 2011. Please call 651.644.4438 if you have any questions or would like additional information.
	WHATS GOING ON? SAVE the DATE! CLC's 16th Annual BENEFIT & CELEBRATION Mark your calendars for an evening of auctions, food and fun, to celebrate our wonderful volunteers, and to support Children's Law Center's work with foster care youth. Thursday, October 6, 2011, 5:30pm-8pm Windows on Minnesota, Minneapolis Businesses and individuals intersted in sponsoring or underwiting the CLC Benefit should contact Trish at tkiefer@clcmn.org , or call 651.644.4438.