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December 8, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC (December 8, 2011) – Children’s Law Center welcomes the announcement of a permanent director for the District’s Child and Family Services Agency. A committed leader for CFSA means that desperately needed changes in policy and practice may be finally within reach.
“For more than six months, CFSA has been under interim leadership. It is the last major agency within Mayor Gray’s administration without a permanent director – this has sent a terrible signal about where vulnerable children fall in the list of priorities,” executive director Judith Sandalow said. “Consistent, committed leadership from a permanent director should pave the way for necessary improvements.”
Today Mayor Vincent C. Gray introduced Brenda Donald as his choice to lead the agency. Should she be confirmed by the Council, Donald would return to a position she held in 2004-2005, replacing interim director Debra Porchia-Usher.
“We welcome Brenda Donald back to the District and look forward to working with her,” Sandalow said. “CFSA needs an experienced leader to make meaningful changes. Like many District agencies, it has been under court supervision for decades, and a recently released court monitor’s report takes the same view of those who work with CFSA every day—that it has a long way to go.”
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About Children’s Law Center: Children’s Law Center works to give every child in the District of Columbia a solid foundation of family, health and education. We are the largest provider of free legal services in the District and the only to focus on children. Our 80-person staff partners with local pro bono attorneys to serve 1,200 at-risk children each year. We use this expertise to advocate for changes in the District’s laws, policies and programs. For more information, visit www.childrenslawcenter.org.
Media Contact: Meghan Williams, 202-467-4900, ext. 512
Download a PDF copy of this release.
Watch a video of the press conference where Mayor Vincent C. Gray introduced Brenda Donald.
The Health Access Project is a phenomenal program we have here at our health center that allows us as physicians to supplement the services we provide to our patients.
-Dr. Alsan Bellard
Medical Director,
Children’s National Medical Center,
Children’s Health Center of Southeast DC
