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When discussing recent cases of children living in horrifying conditions, Lance described the problem as "violence done to children by indifference." In 2014, running water and access to functioning toilets should be a given for all children, including children in BMCW supervised placements. We are working together on behalf of children who bring their traumas to school and who are future parents and employees in our community. How we respond to children in crisis affects us all. You can read the story here. In the meantime, thanks so much to all of you for being engaged in helping kids and families.
Meanwhile, consider registering for one of the terrific training opportunities highlighted in this issue. As we can see, our champions are needed now more than ever. Thank you for being a voice for kids.
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Kids Matter Volunteer Attorney Honored as Wisconsin's Pro Bono Attorney of the Year |
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State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Michael Lueder (2nd from left), Kids Mattter's Susan Conwell (center) and Rosie F. (2nd from right)
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Congratulations to Kids Matter volunteer attorney Mike Lueder ! Mike, a litigation partner at Foley & Lardner, received the State Bar of Wisconsin's 2014 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award on June 26 at the State Bar of Wisconsin's Annual Meeting and Conference in Lake Geneva. The following excerpt is from an article in the State Bar of Wisconsin's InsideTrack newsletter, describing Mike's award-winning advocacy for one of "our" kids. You can read the full article here.
Michael Lueder: Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
Rosie wanted C.T. back. She had fostered her while child welfare services looked for a more permanent home. The court records said C.T. had been discovered with two broken legs, and burns on 60 percent of her body from scalding water and cigarettes.
She was going to need help to navigate the system - a lawyer to help her through the procedural chaos of children's court, and to advocate for her to be named C.T.'s permanent guardian. She reached out to KIDS MATTER, who reached out to their pro bono contact at Foley & Lardner, who assigned attorney Michael Lueder.
Read the full story here to learn what happened to C.T.
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School Supplies Now Available!
Back-to-school supplies now available at KIDS MATTER. We even have flash drives and calculators, the rarest of donated school supplies, thanks to a very generous donation from the youth of Fox River Christian Church in Waukesha. So come in and pick up supplies that your CASA or kinship child needs for school! Note: Some supplies are more limited (e.g. presentation folders), but feel free to browse what we have and get what you need for your kids to start the new school year ready to learn.
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State Legislature Looks at Adoption Disruption/Dissolution
Positive steps are being taken to help understand the needs of adopted children and families by the 2014 Legislative Study Committee on Adoption Disruption and Dissolution. Also a Reuters series on re-homing adopted children that featured Wisconsin kids sent to live with strangers helped identify a serious problem. KIDS MATTER shared stories of adoptive children and families they have assisted. Amanda S. (pictured) bravely shared her story of abuse in an adoptive home and her return to foster care. KIDS MATTER Executive Director Sue Conwell highlighted the challenges facing the committee in obtaining accurate data, the need for youth-friendly information for adopted children, and the need for back-up caregivers to be identified at the time of the adoption when grandparents and older caregivers adopt.
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CLEs for Attorneys
Volunteer Attorneys are invited for a free CLE program co-hosted by Catholic Charities, Kids Matter, Centro Legal and the AIDS Network on September 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cousins Center, 3501 S. Lake Drive. The CLE covers legal services for immigrants, family law/domestic violence, guardianships and powers attorney over children, and more. Judge Sankovitz will be the lunchtime speaker. Please RSVP to Susan Conwell if interested or if you want more details at [email protected].
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Dates Set for Next CASA Volunteer Classes
The fall CASA volunteer training sessions begins on Wednesday, October 8. The training will continue for six weeks on Wednesday evenings and two Saturdays. The calendar will be posted on the website as soon as the syllabus is confirmed. Questions? Call Lance at 414-344-1220, ext. 13 or [email protected].
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Upcoming
Trainings
and
Events
"Kids in Foster Care
to Age 21"
Tuesday, August 12
Noon to 1:30 PM
Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center
(Children's Court)
Room 1260
10201 W. Watertown
Plank Road
Wauwatosa
Wendy Henderson, Director of the Office of Youth Services, WI Department of Children and Families will be talking about the new law permitting extension of foster care to age 21 for youth receiving special education services.
or call 414-257-5422
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"Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor:
A Strength-Based Look at
the State of
the Black Child" .
Wednesday, August 20
8:30 AM -11:30 AM
Manpower Group
100 Manpower Place
Downtown Milwaukee
The National Black Child Development Institute -Milwaukee Affiliate is sponsoring an interactive forum featuring local experts and community leaders. Topics include Good Health, Strong Families and Positive Early Learning for Black children in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. This event will also preview the Milwaukee/Wisconsin based report "Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor:
A Strength-Based Look at the State of the Black Child", aligned with the national report.
A light breakfast will be served, so RSVPs are encouraged.
For more information,
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"New and Improved Responses to
Child Sex Trafficking
in Milwaukee"
Thursday, August 21 Noon
Silver Spring
Neighborhood Ctr. 5460 N. 64th St. MilwaukeeYou are invited to hear Claudine O'Leary, a national authority on child sex trafficking, will speak to the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Network about "New and Improved Responses to Child Sex Trafficking in Milwaukee." RSVPs are requested.
******************************* All of these events qualify for CASA continuing education credit. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit has been requested for the presentation on "Kids in Foster Care to 21". We hope to see you at one or more of these events!
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