Children’s advocates gathered Tuesday, July 14, at the Children’s Law Center to speak about what cuts there would mean for LA’s most vulnerable kids. Attorneys at the Children’s Law Center represent 95% of the 24,000 children in the foster care system.
A former foster parent, social worker, education attorney and newly elected U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu all spoke in support of the center, which faces deep budget cuts that put LA’s most vulnerable children at risk of losing services.
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“It was such an emotional few years, and they had one attorney for nearly all of that time. She was an advocate not just for the children, but for me and the family,” said former foster parent Georkeshia Campbell. “Every child in the foster care system deserves that consistency.”
Campbell became a foster parent to her niece and nephews in 2004, and they were represented by the Children’s Law Center.
Other speakers included newly elected U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, who spoke about the tremendous need for children’s legal services.
The Children’s Law Center is facing an $865,000 budget gap due to cuts from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), whose budget is separate from the state’s general fund. The impact of those cuts could include court closures, service reductions, and potential layoffs. Children’s advocates say the AOC has funds available to avoid the cuts.
Children’s Law Center attorney Brian Thompson announced that a senior representative from the AOC had agreed to meet with staff to try to resolve the budget issue.
LA County social worker David Green also spoke in support of the children’s attorneys.
“Sometimes we’re on different sides in court, but our common goal is to keep children safe,” said Green.