ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

SYSTEM-WIDE REFORM:THE ALLIANCE WORKS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS IN OUR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEMS. THROUGH ITS WORK WITH A HIGH VOLUME OF INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS, AS WELL AS THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE, THE ALLIANCE IS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE TRENDS, IDENTIFY SYSTEMIC ISSUES AND PURSUE REFORM THROUGH LITIGATION, LEGISLATIVE, OR ADMINISTRATIVE ADVOCACY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES AND PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THE ALLIANCE ALSO CONDUCTS TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE, LEGAL, EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS ON THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF OUR COMMUNITIES' CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO ASSIST THEM, AND BEST PRACTICES TO PROMOTE THEIR WELLBEING.

EDUCATION:MORE THAN HALF OF ALL CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES OR DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS. THIS, COMBINED WITH FREQUENT MOVES AND SCHOOL CHANGES, RESULTS IN A 50% SCHOOL DROP-OUT RATE. THE ALLIANCE LEVELS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THESE CHILDREN BY ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO RECEIVE ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATION SERVICES, AND THERAPIES TAILORED TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT REACHING CHILDREN AT A YOUNG AGE WILL IMPROVE THEIR HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES LATER. IN RESPONSE, THE ALLIANCE CREATED THE SALTZ FAMILY EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER WHICH INCREASES ACCESS TO TREATMENTS AND SERVICES FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AGES 0 - 5 EVERY YEAR. THE ALLIANCE ALSO WORKS TO KEEP YOUTH SUCCEEDING IN SCHOOL AND ON TRACK FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, BY TRAINING EDUCATORS WHO WORK WITH STUDENTS RECOVERING FROM TRAUMA, AND BY ENSURING THEY ARE RECEIVING APPROPRIATE CREDITS, TUTORING, TRANSPORTATION, AND OTHER SERVICES TO SUPPORT THEIR EDUCATION, EVEN WHEN THEY MUST CHANGE SCHOOLS.