Judith Sandalow, executive director of Children's Law Center, testified before the DC Council's Committee on Human Services at the public hearing of Bill 19-466, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Amendment Act.

While a revised set of amendments to regulations governing the licensing of foster homes take some positive steps, Children's Law Center recommends further steps to achieve broader reform and encourage placement with kin.

Children's Law Center urges additions to proposed regulations on the licensing of foster homes to achieve broader reform and encourage placement with kin.

CLC urged the DC Council to restore funding for homeless services and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in the proposed Fiscal Year 2012 budget, warning that failure to do so will worsen child poverty and lead to more children placed in foster care.

In written comments on proposed "Certificates of Approval for Nonpublic Special Education Schools and Programs Serving Students with Disabilities funded by the District of Columbia" submitted to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), CLC suggested several changes to rules proposed by OSSE regarding nonpublic school placements of special needs children who cannot be adequately served by neighborhood schools.

CLC supported a proposal to increase funding for special education services so more District children can succeed in their neighborhood schools, but cautioned that proposed cuts to safety net programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and children’s mental health services threaten to undermine this investment.

Though the proposed Fiscal Year 2012 budget for the Child and Family Services Agency protects two crucial programs – Rapid Housing and the Grandparent Caregiver Program – CLC testified it also contains extremely troubling cuts to essential services such as mental health care for foster children.

CLC warned that proposed cuts to the Department of Mental Health Budget will cause harm to District children and lead to inferior care for children and families, costing the District more money than the cuts will save.

CLC warned that proposed cuts to services that help impoverished children and families will have a devastating impact on children’s wellbeing, harming their ability to succeed academically and creating a need for additional services within the District’s public schools.

CLC testified that in order to effectively address school truancy, the District must implement better intervention strategies and consider the complex and varied factors that lead to truancy, such as children’s unmet mental health needs.

CLC testified that the Department of Health Care Finance must continue building on recent progress and focus on improving access to services for children enrolled in D.C. Medicaid. CLC also urged better oversight and administrative processes so the District may expand its Medicaid provider pool, provide better and more plentiful children’s mental health resources and maximize federal reimbursements. 

CLC urged city leaders to fill vacant housing inspector positions to ensure safety and health hazards in rental units are addressed promptly. Testifying before the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs, CLC applauded efforts to improve inspection quality, but emphasized an inspector shortage leaves children and families waiting too long in dangerous and unhealthy conditions.

CLC encouraged the District’s public schools to expand and improve special education services. Acknowledging recent DCPS efforts to strengthen special education, CLC explained that significant work and investment is required before children with special needs can receive high-quality education in neighborhood schools.

CLC Executive Director Judith Sandalow testified before the DC Council Committee on Health on March 3, 2011 regarding the performance of the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Sandalow applauded DMH for the steps that they have taken this year to improve the children's mental health system, but focused on improvements that need to be made to help a system that is in crisis.

CLC testified before the DC Council about the performance of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and noted OSSE has made substantial progress towards improving DC's education system and suggested several ways in which performance could be improved.

CLC testified before the DC Council about the performance of the Child and Family Services Agency and highlighted key ways to improve DC's child abuse and neglect system. 

CLC testified before the DC Council opposing the the District of Columbia Public Assistance Amendment Act of 2010 and suggested alternative courses of action for the District to consider. 

CLC submitted comments to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education regarding proposed regulations requiring all public and public charter schools to create codes of conduct. CLC recommended steps to minimize suspensions and explusions, as well as harmful restraints. 

CLC testifed before the DC Council in support of an amendment to legislation that would provide strong and lasting protections for foster children's school stability. 

CLC submitted comments to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education regarding a proposed policy statement regarding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.  CLC recommended changes that would ensure appropriate parental participation.