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Published by bberk, 2016-10-27 15:43:51

Final 2016 AR_Neat

Who will speak for me?®
Center for Children’s Advocacy . Annual Report 2016

Life's most persistent
and urgent question is
'What are you doing
for others?'

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Laser Juvenile Justice Victories for at-risk youth
focus
on Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
racial Martin Luther King, Jr.
justice
Reformed Policies
that Perpetuate Discrimination

The Center for Children’s Advocacy co-chairs Connecticut’s Dispropor-
tionate Minority Contact committees to reform policies and practices that
result in youth of color being treated more harshly by the juvenile justice
system. Reforms in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven and Waterbury re-
duced suspensions and school-based arrests, reduced disparities in the
time youth wait in detention for residential treatment, and reduced court
referrals by handling minor behavior problems outside of court.

Created Restorative Justice Program
to Prevent Re-Arrest

The Center’s Deep End Diversion project uses principles of restorative
justice to reduce arrests in Connecticut’s juvenile justice facilities. From
120 applications, Open Society Foundations awarded this project grant
to the Center for Children’s Advocacy, one of only four state-based
organizations chosen.

Arrest is counter to the rehabilitative mandate of juvenile justice facil-
ities, and behaviors that lead to arrest often stem from mental health
problems. This year, Deep End Diversion focused on infusing restorative
justice into the practices and procedures at Connecticut Juvenile Train-
ing School and Waterford Country School.

Reduced Stereotypes
to Divert Juvenile Justice Involvement

In Hartford and Bridgeport, the Center brought city police together with
students involved with probation or parole to learn about trauma, mental
health, adolescent development and decision making. Police-Youth
trainings emphasized the importance of perspective and respect. Under-
standing is key to reduce bias and avoid escalated con?ict and arrest.

Initiated Joint Project
to Help Community Reintegration

Future success for youth who have been involved with Connecticut’s
juvenile justice system depends on stability, housing, education and
employment. The Center partnered with the Housing Authority of the
City of Hartford to provide legal support that helps youth overcome
obstacles and get back into school, get a certi?cate of employability,
recover their driver’s license, and more.

Marta was profoundly neglected by her
drug-addicted mother.

When DCF stepped in, they removed
Marta from her home and placed her
in a congregate care facility.

Marta was frightened, anxious and
depressed. She could not understand
why she was there and there was no
one she knew.

An attorney from the Center for Children’s
Advocacy pressed to have Marta moved
to relative foster care. When DCF refused,
we brought Marta’s case to court and
won. Marta was placed with her aunt.

Marta’s emotional outlook improved
immediately.

We worked with DCF and the school
to address Marta’s medical and
educational needs. She was evaluated
for special education support.

Behavioral healthcare helped address
her fear and anxiety. With the help of
a therapist, Marta began to feel safe.

The Center’s legal representation helped
secure a supportive future for this vibrant,
vulnerable, resilient girl.

Systemic Education Victories for vulnerable children
spotlight
on Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things
educational that matter. Martin Luther King, Jr.
equity
Special Education for Children with Disabilities

The Center won a second complaint against Bridgeport Public Schools
to rectify failure to identify and support students with disabilities. Special
education must meet the needs of the individual student, foster academ-
ic progress, future success and self reliance. In response to the Cen-
ter’s complaint, the State Department of Education Bureau of Special
Education issued speci?c corrective actions that Bridgeport must meet.

Appropriate Education for Expelled Students

The Center for Children’s Advocacy worked with the National Center for
Youth Law and the global law ?rm K&L Gates to sue Connecticut of?-
cials over expulsion policies. Expelled students are offered substandard
alternative education that disproportionately impacts youth of color and
violates equal protection guarantees of the state and U.S. constitutions.
Alicia B. names Bloom?eld, Hartford and Manchester public school dis-
tricts, the state Department of Education and state Board of Education.
Settlement agreements have been reached with some of the defendants
and negotiations continue with those remaining.

Special Education at Alternative School Programs

The Center for Children’s Advocacy and Greater Hartford Legal Aid won
a complaint against Hartford Public Schools for systematically and per-
vasively denying expelled special education students their rights under
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The State Depart-
ment of Education directed the district to stop placing expelled students
who receive special education at the New Visions program and develop
and implement a plan for appropriate alternative education.

Educational Equality and Reduced Isolation

Filed in 1989, Sheff v. O’Neill is a landmark civil rights lawsuit that seeks
educational equality. The plaintiffs, led by attorneys including Center
for Children’s Advocacy executive director Martha Stone, continue to
advocate for the State of Connecticut to uphold the constitutional rights
of children to an equal educational opportunity. The Stipulation and
Order issued by Hartford Superior Court requires forty seven percent of
Hartford students to be in a reduced-isolation setting.

Admission to Tech Schools for Students with Disabilities

The Center for Children’s Advocacy and Greater Hartford Legal Aid
?led a complaint against the Connecticut Technical High School System
alleging that admissions policies are applied in ways that discriminate
against and exclude students with disabilities. This is a violation of the
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the federal Rehabili-
tation Act of 1973.

Michael just graduated from high school. But his story
could easily have gone in a very different direction.

Center for Children’s Advocacy attorney Marisa Halm
met Michael in his second year of high school. He
was failing and got into trouble for “noncompliance.”
Lots of discipline, many suspensions.

Then Michael got attacked on the school bus by two
boys and he fought back to defend himself.

The school was looking for a way to get Michael out
and they thought they had it. He was arrested for
?ghting, had a pending school expulsion, and ended
up in juvenile court. Marisa Halm was his attorney.

We are still surprised when a child with undiagnosed
disabilities gets so far without testing or supports.

The law requires schools to test for suspected disabil-
ities and accommodate identi?ed issues. Attorney Halm
insisted the school test Michael. They found he had
ADHD, anxiety and behavioral health needs. Michael’s
behavior was a manifestation of his disabilities.

Attorney Halm was able to prevent Michael from being
expelled. She helped secure special education and
behavioral health supports. Within a year, Michael
recovered enough credits to be on track for graduation.

The Center’s work with at-risk teens makes all the differ-
ence in the arc of their lives. Michael could easily have
been sent to detention and become a casualty of the
juvenile justice system.

Instead, he is a proud high school graduate,
looking into college to secure his own future.

Here is the note he sent
to Attorney Halm:

June 16, 2016

As of 11:46 a.m. I have passed English and met all the
requirements in the state of Connecticut to graduate High
School and I don't even have words for how happy I am.

Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.
I would not be here without you.

Protection Legislative and Administrative Victories
against
blatant The Center’s legislative and administrative efforts resulted in
discrimination overwhelming victories for the most vulnerable children and
youth in the state.

Juvenile Justice
Education

Public Act 16-147 implements the educational recommendations of the
state’s Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee, enhancing educa-
tional supports for juvenile justice youth.

Child Abuse
Foster Care and Congregate Care

Public Act 16-123 ensures that the voices of youth in DCF care are
heard. The new law requires youth advisory councils at congregate
care facilities, and requires the Department of Children and Families to
give youth information on foster families and solicit feedback on care.

Child Abuse
Sexual and Physical Abuse

Public Act 16-188 requires public schools to post DCF Careline infor-
mation in a conspicuous location and appropriate languages. This law
helps children suffering from sexual and physical abuse by providing
clear information on who to call.

Medical-Legal Partnership
Non Emergency Medical Transportation

Special Act 16-8 addresses non-emergency medical transportation for
Medicaid recipients. The state’s vendor, LogistiCare, consistently failed
to meet performance standards. This law ensures that patients receive
transportation that ful?lls their medical needs.

In addition to this legislative victory, the Center won a complaint against
the Connecticut Department of Social Services and LogistiCare for vio-
lations of the Americans with Disabilities Act that jeopardize the health
and well-being of children who need non-emergency medical transpor-
tation. Although the contract requires that medical needs determine ap-
propriate transportation, DSS and LogistiCare routinely failed to provide
appropriate services, leaving patients without adequate transportation.

Medical-Legal Partnership
Mental Health Screenings

Mental health screenings, early identi?cation, and timely provision of
services are critical to children’s well being. The Center’s Medical-Legal
Partnership continued work with the Department of Social Services and
coalition partners to ensure that children insured by Medicaid/HUSKY
undergo annual behavioral health screens. We continue to review data
to monitor compliance.

So?a lives in Norwalk. Her dif?culties at
school, which include ADHD, speech and
language problems, are documented back
to second grade.

With no evidence of services or special
education supports, So?a was promoted
year after year. High school was a night-
mare. So?a was so frustrated with her
inability to learn that she wandered the halls
most days and eventually became truant.

So?a was giving up. No one at the school
was interested enough to ?nd out what was
wrong. She thought of herself as a failure.

School administrators tried to push So?a
out of the public high school and into an
alternative program that certainly could not
meet her special education needs.

When Center for Children’s Advocacy attor-
ney Leon Smith met with So?a, her parents,
and school staff, So?a was so frustrated
and ashamed that she cried.

Attorney Smith advocated for So?a and
encouraged the school to enroll her in a
program that could meet her needs.

So?a had a successful term in summer
school and is excited to have found that she
can learn and succeed.

Increased Reach and Impact improve legal advocacy
scale
and New Webinar Series Expanded Impact
scope
The Center is small, but our arms are long. Our impact grows each year.

Our new webinar series reached greater numbers of professionals work-
ing with the most vulnerable children and youth. Topics included:

Confronting and Countering Implicit Bias: National and Connecticut
experts discussed the impact of implicit bias in education, school-based
arrests, and police-youth interactions.

Help for Undocumented and Refugee Children: Connecticut expert
and CCA attorney Edwin Colon presented strategies for children’s safe-
ty, access to education, healthcare and mental health services.

Supporting Transgender Students in School: The Center arranged a
webinar with California attorney Asaf Orr on safeguarding the rights of
transgender youth.

Autism - Research, Diagnosis, Intervention, Services: Dr. Fred Volk-
mar, Director, Autism Program at Yale University Child Study Center,
presented with medical experts and leaders of community organizations.

Suspension and Expulsion - Schools’ Responsibilities: The Center
was instrumental in writing and securing passage of state law that bans
out-of-school suspension for very young children. A panel of experts
discussed the impact on schools, children and families.

Prestigious Awards Expansive Press Coverage

Center attorneys were recognized Broad state and national media
for outstanding legal advocacy: coverage re?ects the Center’s
growing impact.
Zoe Stout Online at kidscounsel.org/news
CT Law Tribune
2016 New Leader in the Law

Kathryn Meyer Champions of Children
Fair?eld County Business Journal
40 Under 40 Award Awarded at our annual
Spring for Kids event, 2016
Martha Stone CCA Champions of Children:
CREC
Community Partner Award Jose Colon-Rivas, PhD
Barbara Hennessy, JD
Stacey Violante Cote Scott Wells, MA
Women and Families Center
Women in Leadership Award First Annual Play for Kids!

Leon Smith, Edwin Colon, The Center’s new fundraiser at
and Kathryn Meyer Chelsea Piers, Stamford, was a
RYASAP Above and Beyond Award huge success. Energetic teams,
friendly competition. 2016 winner:
Martha Stone
UConn Law School CT Green Bank
Distinguished Service Award

Kathryn Meyer 2017 event information online at
CT Law Tribune kidscounsel.org/events
2015 New Leader in the Law

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Contributions received July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

$50,000 + $1,000 - $2,499 Bigelow Tea Budwitz & Meyerjack PC
Kathleen and William Bloss Elena and Michael Byrne
1848 Foundation Barnes Group Inc. Leslie Bulion and Rubin Hirsch Donna G. Cambria Consulting, LLC
Connecticut Bar Foundation Bank of America Charitable Margaret Carey-Best and Cantor Colburn
Connecticut Health Foundation Toni Capriglione
Hartford Foundation for Public Foundation, Inc. Jonathan Best Casper & de Toledo LLC
Giving Bill Aseltyne and Jeff Stryker Carousel Industries Clifford Beers Clinic
Melville Charitable Trust Bracewell LLP Children's Fund of Connecticut Diane and Sanford Cloud
Open Society Foundations Melissa and Burt Brazill Mary Kate and Tom Cox Community Partners In Action
Tow Foundation Sherry Brown Randi and Tim Diemand Bert Condren
Capitol Region Education Council DiMare Pastry Shop Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association
$10,000 - $49,000 Anthony Carpentieri Sarah Downs and Suman Ravuri Connecticut Juvenile Justice
CIGNA Foundation Kenneth Doyle
Community Foundation for Cohen and Wolf, PC Alexandra and Eric Dufresne Alliance
Greater New Haven Connecticut Children's Medical Finn Dixon & Herling LLP Creative Exteriors
Kathryn Emmett and David Golub Forstone Management Laura and Tim Curry
Ensworth Charitable Foundation Center Anne and David Francis William Davis
Fair?eld County Community Sue Cote Don Frechette Marilyn Diaz
Foundation Day Pitney LLP Catherine Forman and John Duhamel
Fund for Greater Hartford Sheila and Paul Dworkin Ada Fenick
Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation Founders Technology Group, LLC Kenneth Rosenthal Freeland Brothers Construction
Impact Fund Fran Ludwig GO Media FROSCH
The Perrin Family Foundation Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Greater Hartford Community Rosemary Giuliano
Public Interest Law Foundation Greenberg Traurig LLP Nancy and Phillip Guzman
at Columbia, Inc. Hoffman Auto Group Foundation, Inc. Susan Holmes and Bessy Reyna
Near and Far Aid Marcia and Jerome Howard Hughes & Hughes Financial Services Frances and John Horr
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Locke Lord LLP Nina Livingston and Mario Perez Kathy Kalkbrenner
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American Academy of Matrimonial Navigant Consulting Carol LeWitt Nancy and Richard Klaffky
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Options Employment and United Way of Central and UConn Advocates for Children
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Webster Bank Reid and Riege PC
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Joan and David Cooney Aetna Foundation, Inc. Beazley Group Delia Roy
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Hartford County Bar Foundation Jane and Terry Brady Kathryn Scheinberg-Meyer and
Eliza Hirst Nicastro Brenner, Saltzman & Wallman LLP
Rogow-Greenberg Foundation Inc. Robert Alexander Christine and Mark Brook?eld Eddie Meyer
Silver, Golub & Teitell LLP The Bene?t Shop Foundation, Inc. Connie Brown and Duncan Milne Sally and Everett Schenk
Tapper Charitable Fund Miriam Berkman and Brett Hill Carol and James Sicilian
United Way of Western Connecticut Rita Berkson

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Wilma Sicklick Edwin Colon Martha and Lee Hoffman Jane Murphy
Simon Konover Company Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Catherine Holahan Robin Murphy
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Christie and Jerry Sullivan Connecticut Junior Republic Phyllis Hyman and David Fink Maria and Eric Nordstrom
Susan J. Bryson & Laurence P. Craig Connolly IBM Employee Services Center North American Power
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Tomasso Brothers, Inc. Janet Jackson Karen and Michael Paolino
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Caroline Turcotte Nancy and James Cox Masooma Jacobsen Susan Peck
Tzedakah House, LLC Sandra Cruz-Serrano Jacqueline and Stephen Jacoby Pediatric & Adolescent Medical Group
Voya Leila Dalpos Brook Jason Pepper Ridge Landscaping
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Dotty Weston-Murphy Denise deFiebre Winston Johnson Patricia Petry
Emily and Marvin Williams Mary Jane and Paul DeFilippo David Johnson Michelle Phillips
Allison Zack and Michael Violante Jean-Maxime DeGivenchy Michelle Jordan William Pitt
Faith and Thomas Del Vecchio Patricia Joyce Planned Parenthood of Southern
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Marta Bentham Mary and Kevin Lydon Rutkin, Oldham & Grif?n, LLC
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Carol Bozena and Darlene Dunbar Bryan Garcia Marisa Mascolo-Halm and Fran Sherman and Scott Tucker
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Lindsay Brown Cynthia Glasser and Phil Putnam Katheryn May and Kenneth Colosky Audrey and Ben Solnit
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Noreen Channels and Donald Sally and Robert Harvey Pamela Morrow Valerie Thompson
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Jeremy Cline Patricia Hevner
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Carolyn Hiller

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Edward Whilteure Donald Ciota Linda and Jack Fleming Jadelyn Kwik and Paul Fixler
Whitney Pediatric & Adolescent Karen Cirillo Cathy Foley-Geib LaBelle Communications
Medicine PC Anthony Clark Holly and Robert Francis Dawn LaChance
Brooke and Ted Whittermore Theodore Clark Mary Frederickson Ugo Lancellotti
Patricia and Thomas Wildman Thomas Clark Amanda Fredrickson Sharon Langer and Matthew
Rachel and Stephen Wizner Clinical Lab Partners Loyola French
James Wright Kathleen Coarse Michelle Fuda Horowitz
Barbara and Al Yanaros Gina Cocchiola Mario Fuentes Michael Larkin
Hyacinth Yennie Lynn Cochrane Wendy Furniss and Jacqueline Nancy LaRocca
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Carrie and George Coleman Wilson Karen and Joseph LaRussa
Up to $99 Gloria Coles Sonya and Gerald Gale Jennifer Lasek
Community Health Services Karen Gantt Law Of?ce of David Shaw, LLC
Imtiaz Allie Connecticut Green Bank Nate Garcia Law Of?ces of Buckley & Wynne
Malin Almqvist-Noto Connectiuct Women's Education Linda Garneau Lori Leibowitz
Sheila Amdur Anna and Bryan Garsten Nancy and Garry Leonard
Rosemary Andle and Legal Fund Michael Germano Tess Leopold
Barbara and Ray Andrews Connection, Inc. Andrea and Gregory Ginter Michael Lepure
Larry Goanos Bernadette Conway and Frank Glenn Glasberg Hank Lerner
Gary Antigiovanni Emilia Golanska-Kovac James Leva
Camily Arjona Iannotti Andrea and Steven Goldenberg Leslie Levin
Sunny Banwer and Rob Rosenthal Carly Corrigan Lisa and Jonah Goldsmith Susan Levine and Lary Bloom
Michael Bars Kathy Couerfeld Davidson Hazel Gordon Sue and Michael Lewis
John Basile Pedro Crespo Abigail Gorton and John Susan Licalzi
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Alison and Adam Beitscher Theadeen Dalley Jillian Griswold Andrew Lombardozzi
George Bellas Angela D'Amato Phyllis Guss Walesca Lopez
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Barbara Blechner Jill Dern Maxwell Hartnett Catherine Lyons
Eileen and Leo Bonetti Anthony DeStefano Valerie Hayward Andreina Mailhot
Karen Booth Joey DiCamillo Isabelle Hazlewood Rona Malakoff and Ethan Goller
Lindsay Booth Marzena and Marco D'Occhio Connie Healy Ruth Mantak
Maureen and Michael Boreland Carolyn Donnelly Katie Healy
Mildred and Jay Doody Dale Hedman
Francine and John Hegel

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Contributions received July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

Cheyenne Maragnano Andrea Rametta Cheryl Tiscia In Kind Donors
Courtney Maratta Wilson Ramol Eric Tobin
Amy March Stacey Reap Annmarie Tremont Bridgeport Hospital
Ray Marcuso Danielle Reda David Valenti Christiansen Consulting, LLC
Deborah and Paul Marcuson Jill and Steven Reviczky Jeffrey Vincent City of Hartford
Beth and Martin Margulies Bettina and Soren Reynerston Jennifer and Eric Violante Community Mental Health Af?liates
Joe Martin Julia Ricciuti Stacey Violante-Cote and Stephen Connecticut Children’s Medical
Iria Martin-Kurtz and Mark Kurtz Margaret and Charles Rich
Kevin McCann Veronica Rich Cote Center
Gail and Bud McDowell Barbara Ricketts Robert Vitale Connecticut Judicial Department
Victoria McGruder Deborah Ritter Gavin von Loeser CREC Ana Grace Academy of the
Sharon McHale Christina Rivera Joan Wallace
Cath and Joseph McQuade Trevor Roach Jackie and Michael Wasta Arts Elementary Magnet School
Ashley Medvec Peter Rockholz Ticia Webster CREC Greater Hartford Academy
Susan Meredith and John Watson Johany Rodriguez Jason Welch
Ann Merriam-Feinberg William Rodriguez Janice and David Wenzel of the Arts
Mary Ann Mierzwa Yazmin Rodriguez Michael White Cromwell Growers
Kathleen Miller and James Florence Roisman Rebecca Whiting Department of Children and
Bonnie Roswig and Michael Kurs Jennifer Willcox
Hennessey Jim Rotondo Diane Willcutts Families
Nancy and David Miller Shirley Fowler Carmetta Williams Carolyn and Leslie Gabel-Brett
Rachel Miller Phyllis Rulewicz Chris Williams Warren Harding High School
Sharyne Miller Wendy Saffer and Tom Johnston Lynn and Lee Williamson Hartford Public Schools
Suzanne Miller Kristin Sammarco Wofsey, Rosen, Kweskin & Hospital of Central Connecticut
Alexa Millinger Gladys Santos-Rivera iMission Partners
Liz Milwe Pat Sapinsley Kuriansky LLP J Grooves Band, Kinsella Magnet
Carlos Miranda Ellen and Robert Scalettar Jessica Wolf School of Performing Arts
Jacqueline Moller Carlota and Neil Schechter Jillian Wood LAZ Parking
Joseph Montclare Elizabeth Schlaff Alicia Woodsby Locke Lord LLP
Jennifer and Herbert Moorin Kathleen Schultz Patricia Wrice Pullman & Comley, LLC
Maggie Moree Russell Schwartz Carey Wunsch and Robert Giannetti St. Francis Hospital
Elizabeth Morton Kimberly Selvaggi John Yonchuk UConn School of Law
Jen Murrihy Elizabeth Shepard-Wodell Michael Yu Waterbury Youth Services
Rob Murtha Elizabeth Sher Yael Van Hulst and Edward Brown Wiggin and Dana LLP
Lisa Namerow and Fred Tilden Phyllis Sheridan Joe Vaverchak Natalia Xiomera-Chieffo
Laurie Neira Elijah Siclick Barbara and Albert Zakarian Yale New Haven Hospital
Angela and Russell Nelson Diane and Ted Sierpina Catherine Zeiner
Kelly Neumann Vanessa Silva Zero To Three
Gladys Nieves Susan Silverman and Barry Simon Karen and Jerry Zrenda
Elizabeth and Don Noel Louise Simmons
Alyssa and Joel Norwood Basil Sitaras
Desiree Nunes Leon Smith
Robert O'Connor Cynthia Snyder
Meredith O'Keefe Natalia Soares
Astrida and William Olds Nancy Solis
Kerry O'Neill Aracely Somoza
Ilse and Paul Orth Linda and Donald Soucy
Thomas O'Toole Julie Spencer
Gilda Outremont Joy and Norman Sperling
Leslie Paguada Marisa Spittal
Michele and Alan Parker Terry and Tim Steele
Pat Browne-Zak & Associates Susan Stengel
Michael Patota Michael Sternberg
Alison and Jeffrey Pease Kim Stevenson
Laura and David Pels Aidan Stewart
Franklin Perry Mike Stotts
Richard Petrucci Bridget Stout
Tamara Pezzente Jaime Stross
Raphael Podolsky Mary Ellen Stuart
Chloe Poisson Kathleen Sullivan
Janice Pomeroy Kristin and Jonathan Sullivan
Selya Price Eric Sussman
Kathy Pugliese Lisa and Bruce Sussman
Tom Pugliese Elin Swanson-Katz and Steven Katz
Leah Purtill-Legare Synchrony Solutions, LLC
Kevin Purviance Lois Tanzer
Sara Pyne Justin Taylor
Pyne-Davidson Company Michael Taylor
Neena Qasba Ellen and John Thomas
Jean Ragantesi Eliana Thomen
Justine Rakich-Kelly and Brian Kelly Corine Thompson
Mohamed Ramadan

Center for Children’s Advocacy
makes great things happen

978 children in Connecticut’s largest and poorest cities

got the legal support necessary for healthy development
and educational achievement.

Keep the Power On utility clinics provided legal advocacy,
budget counseling and payment arrangements to help

131 families maintain heat and electricity.

More than 700 youth who will be expelled from school

this year will receive alternative educational services that
address social, emotional and behavioral needs.

20,000 students who would have become chronically

absent will receive early and appropriate intervention to
encourage academic success.

The Center’s Deep End Diversion Project helped reduce
arrests of youth inside Connecticut Juvenile Training

School by 450 percent.

In 2014, violation of probation was a frequent reason for
youth to be sent to detention in New Haven. Our Dispropor-

tionate Minority Contact work reduced that number to zero

by the end of 2015.

Led by our work on Disproportionate Minority Contact,
changes in policies and practices in New Haven resulted in

a 42 percent reduction in the number of youth referred

back to court for violations of court orders.

School-based arrests of students in Bridgeport decreased

by 80 percent, from 202 at the start of the Center’s DMC

work to 38 in the 2015-2016 school year.

306,000 low-income children will have access to

reliable, safe transportation to medical appointments.

Center for Children’s Advocacy
Audited Financial Information
July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016

47 percent of Hartford’s minority students have the Income 1,416,334
Grants/Contributions 450,686
opportunity to attend 42 quality magnet schools. Fees/Contracts 28,684
Other
As a result of the Center’s Complaint, the Connecticut 1,895,704
Department of Education Bureau of Special Education Total
directed Bridgeport Public Schools to provide screening,
special education evaluations and appropriate supports for

all school children identi?ed.

97 percent of the Center’s teen clients who were home- Grants/Contributions Fees/Contracts Other
75%
less or at great risk of homelessness got help to improve 24% 1%
and remove issues that increase risk.

100 percent of Hartford youth served by our TeamChild Expense 1,907,209
Programs/Services 132,641
attorneys increased access to school and special education Of?ce/Administrative
services. Total 2,039,850

Over 90 percent of the children and youth we served in

Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford graduated or stayed in
school and increased their access to educational supports.

Our Medical-Legal Partnership trained 140 parents, Programs/Services Of?ce/Administrative
camps and afterschool programs about laws that 93% 7%

prohibit discrimination against children with disabilities.

Educational provisions in Public Act 16-147, written by
the Center for Children’s Advocacy, are improving the

education of 2700 youth who enter Connecticut’s juve-

nile justice system each year.

Our Immigration Project trained 40 attorneys to provide

pro bono representation for unaccompanied immigrant
children who were abused, abandoned or neglected.

The Center’s Mobile Legal Of?ce traveled the state to help

85 youth resolve issues of homelessness, immigration

law, and other challenges.

Ninety three percent of every dollar raised Staff
goes directly to legal services for the poorest
and most vulnerable children and youth. Martha Stone, JD
Executive Director
Juvenile Justice
Homelessness Jay Sicklick, JD
Disproportionate Minority Contact Deputy Director; Director, Medical-Legal Partnership
Chronic Absenteeism
Truancy Bonnie Berk
Immigration Director, Communications
Implicit Bias
Domestic and Dating Violence Edwin Colon, JD, MSW
Visitation Staff Attorney, Teen Legal Advocacy Project
Racial Justice
Bullying Elizabeth Wilson-Costen
Suspension and Expulsion Development Associate
English Language Learners
Alternative Schools Stacey Violante Cote, JD, MSW
LGBT Rights Director, Teen Legal Advocacy Project
Foster Care
Housing Tayla Fauntleroy
Healthcare Paralegal, Medical-Legal Partnership Project
Mental Health Care
Child Abuse Roy Graham
Neglect Coordinator, Mobile Legal Of?ce
Teen Legal Rights
Education Marisa Halm, JD
Disabilities and Access Director, TeamChild Juvenile Justice
Refugee Youth
Teen Parents Steven Hof?er, PhD, LCSW
Sibling Visits Coordinator, Deep End Diversion Project
Food and Shelter
Residential Treatment Tasha Jackson
Shelters Finance Director
Detention
Utility Shutoff Kathryn Scheinberg Meyer, JD
Bene?ts Director, SpeakUp Initiatives
Permanency
Support in School Lori Nordstrom, JD
Systemic Reform Director, Grants
Legislative Advocacy
Training Professionals Alice Rosenthal, JD
Helping Youth Speak Up Staff Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership Project

Center for Children’s Advocacy Bonnie Roswig, JD
Senior Staff Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership
Fighting for the legal rights of
Connecticut’s most vulnerable children Leon Smith, JD
Director, Racial Justice Project
kidscounsel.org and speakupteens.org
Andrea Spencer, PhD
Educational Consultant

Susan Stein
Director of Development

Zoe Stout, JD
Senior Staff Attorney, Child Abuse Project

Sabrina Tavi, JD
Senior Staff Attorney, Child Abuse Project

Ann Tremont
Of?ce Manager

Board of Directors Advisory Board
Douglas Colosky, Chair Miriam Berkman
Antonia Thompson, Secretary John Brittain
Scott Brabant, Treasurer Brett Dignam
Charleen Merced Agosto L. Philip Guzman
Genea Odessa Bell Wesley Horton
Mario Borelli Elizabeth Morgan
David Cooney Eileen Silverstein
Marilyn Diaz Preston Tisdale
Timothy Diemand Stanley A. Twardy, Jr.
Kathryn Emmett (ex of?cio) Stephen Wizner
Claude Mayo
Elise Rosen
Arnold Rutkin
Daniel Schopick
Martha Stone (ex of?cio)
Eric L. Sussman
Gavin von Loeser


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