FY 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER
INTRODUCTION
OUR MISSION Children’s Law Center, Inc. (CLC), established in 1989, is a non-profit legal service center protecting the rights of children and youth to help them overcome barriers and transition into adulthood, better advocate for their needs, and successfully contribute to society. It provides individual legal advocacy to children and youth, and through public policy work, training and education, impact litigation, and juvenile defender support services, seeks to improve the systems that serve them. CLC offers services in both Kentucky and Ohio, and collaborates with other organizations within the region and nationally on a variety of topics.
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR During the past year, CLC staff has worked boundlessly on behalf of children across Kentucky and Ohio with many accomplishments of which some you will read about in this report. A Sheriff's office in Kentucky agreed to settle a multi-year lawsuit filed by CLC, ACLU of Kentucky, and Dismore & Shohl for the unconstitutional handcuffing of elementary school students of color with disabilities. This case brought to the national forefront the harm of having law enforcement in schools — especially for young students with disabilities. CLC will continue to engage in discussions of how schools can best support our youth. Our Crime Victim Project, launched in 2017, is continuing to develop throughout Kentucky with over 100 youth victims being served during the past year. We look forward to celebrating our 30th Anniversary in 2019. Be on the lookout for ways you can join the celebration. -Acena Beck, Executive Director
CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER
INTRODUCTION
"I never knew the Children’s Law Center existed until my daughter and I needed their help. Not only was her attorney compassionate, she was a professional through and through. I will forever recommend the Children’s Law Center. Thank you, we are so grateful to CLC!"
- Lisa H.
CHILDRENS LAW CENTER
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SPECIAL PROJECTS TRAINING AND EDUCATION IMPACT LITIGATION & PUBLIC POLICY
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FINANCIALS
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FUNDRAISING EVENTS
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DONOR LISTING
STNETNOC
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INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION
FO ELBAT
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BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS
INTRODUCTION
BOARD MEMBERS
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BOARD MEMBERS
8102-7102
President Louise Roselle Vice President Rhonda Schechter
Treasurer David Nienaber
Secretary J. David Bender
Jennifer Anstaett
Brian Morris
Donald Benzinger
Eddie Oestreicher
Jennifer Branch
Mikaela Patton
Marcus Coleman
Jamie Ramsey
James R. Cummins
Alexandre Regina
Rocco D’Ascenzo
Lowell Schechter
Brooke Hiltz
Jonathan Thornberry
Jennifer Lawrence
Rachel Votruba
Carla Loon Leader
Lauren Wells
Kerrie Martin
Michael Whiteman
Kenyon Meyer
STAFF MEMBERS
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STAFF Executive Director Acena Beck Amanda Mullins Bear
Ohio Policy and Litigation Director Rickell Howard
Development Director John Vissman
Business Manager Louise Sheard
Office Administrator Lexie Vogt
8102
7102
Managing Attorney, Lexington
Youth in Transition Staff Staff Attorneys Howard Tankersley Carmen Ross
Contract Attorneys J. Eric Rottinghaus Vickie Arrowood
Silvia Arieira Sharonda Hunter Carrie Gilbert
Crime Victim Project Attorney Denise Durbin
NKU Chase Clinic Director Amy Halbrook
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INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION
INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION
Juvenile Court Representation
Education Advocacy
Youth in Adult Court Representation
Youth in Transition
Family Court Representation
Crime Victim Advocacy
Through a holistic approach to individual representation, CLC lawyers ensure that the fundamental rights of youth are upheld, while also working toward positive life outcomes that can improve economic stability, achieve mental and physical wellbeing, further education, and connect youth with their families and/or communities.
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INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION
CHILDREN & YOUTH SERVED FISCAL YEAR 2018
552
CLC provided quality legal representation to 552 clients. Â
198
CLC provided brief service to 198 clients.
81%
81% of clients experienced positive legal outcomes.
50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%
Central/Eastern/ Western KY Clients Served by Geographical Area
Northern KY
Ohio
Louisville
INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION
53%
of our clients experienced mental, physical, and/or sexual abuse.
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45% of our clients experienced issues directly related to poverty.
More than half of our clients had pending hearings in juvenile, family, and/or criminal court.
39%
of our clients had emotional, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities.
32%
of our clients experienced problems related to their education.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
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SPECIAL PROJECTS CRIME VICTIM PROJECT
YOUTH IN TRANSITION
CLC Crime Victim Project
The Youth in Transition
provides free legal
program assists with reentry
representation to children
planning for youth aging out
victims of crime and children
of foster care, at risk youth,
survivors of sexual assault,
youth in residential treatment
family violence, intimate
facilities, and any youth that
partner violence, and human
have been exposed to out of
trafficking. This project is
home placement. CLC provides
supported by VOCA-2016-
these youth with direct service
Children’s-00123, awarded
including legal representation,
through the Kentucky Justice
advocacy for policy changes to
and Public Safety Cabinet by
better serve the youth, and
the U.S. Department of Justice.
acceptance of referrals.
LIGHTHOUSE SECOND CHANCE INITIATIVE CLC has coordinated an initiative with Lighthouse Youth and Family Services to provide civil legal services to youth returning to their families and communities following out-ofhome placement. Through the Second Chance Act Juvenile Reentry Legal Services Initiative, youth receive civil legal services to address indirect consequences of justice system involvement. The goal is to reduce recidivism by removing barriers to securing housing, education, and employment. The initiative is funded by the DOJ’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
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HOMELESS AND EDUCATION LAW PROGRAM The H.E.L.P. Program is designed to provide legal counsel for youth in Fayette County experiencing poverty and homelessness to fill an existing gap for services in the area. Specific outcomes include school or college enrollment, employment, job training or assistance programs, graduation, GED, improved educational supports, grade promotion, and improvement in school attendance. This project is funded by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government.Â
CLIENT STORY - H.E.L.P. B.M. entered 6th grade as a student with a traumatic brain injury, causing him to develop issues adjusting to change. His school did not seem to be aware of his disability or how to handle his severe behavior issues. Mom wanted B.M. to have a full-time para-educator and had been asking for one since the beginning of the school year to no avail. CLC stepped in and attended two ARC meetings to re-open up negotiations between school and the parent, and the school agreed to provide child with his own tablet, provided him a full-time para-educator, and evaluated B.M. for occupational therapy services to implement sensory strategies.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
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PRO SE CUSTODY CLINICS The Kentucky Bar Foundation granted funding to CLC to initiate a pro se custody project in Campbell County and Jessamine County. Participants of this project were provided with all legal documents required for a child custody action filing. Pro Bono attorneys provided an overview of the child custody process, answered questions, and offered procedural advice, and law students assisted participants with completing and filing the legal documents.
In FY 2018, 154 clients were involved in custody-related issues.
SPECIAL PROJECTS
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CLIENT STORY Ingrid* was staying with a family as a foreign exchange student. Her host dad started making inappropriate sexual advances to her while she was living in their home. She told another foreign exchange student and it was reported to police. She was then placed with a new host family, but the man continued to stalk her and showed up to her school to leave gifts for her, even after criminal charges were filed. CLC was able to put an interpersonal protection order (IPO) in place against the man to protect Ingrid, and she bravely testified at a full evidentiary hearing about the allegations. The IPO was issued, and she successfully completed her year as a student in the states.
CLIENT QUOTE "The Children's Law Center provided my boys with an advocate as well as a safe environment for them to talk openly about their feelings and what they have experienced. The advocate then became their voice. She was not only able to convey their thoughts and feelings to the judge but was also able to fight and speak up for them. I am so thankful that the Children's Law Center was there for my family."
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
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TRAINING AND EDUCATION NKU CHASE CHILDREN'S LAW CENTER CLINIC The NKU Chase Children's Law Center Clinic allows law students to gain realworld experience representing young clients while being closely supervised. Through participation in the Clinic, students develop skills necessary to the successful practice of law and are exposed to multiple perspectives on justice, fairness and morality. Each student, preparing to soon become a lawyer, is encouraged to reflect on attorneys' roles and ethical responsibilities.
The Clinic students, under the direct supervision of Professor Amy Halbrook, represented youth in 23 family law cases.
IMPACT LITIGATION
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IMPACT LITIGATION COMMONWEALTH V. BREDHOLD In Commonwealth v. Bredhold, the Kentucky trial court issued an order declaring Kentucky’s death penalty statute unconstitutional as applied to youth, including Travis Bredhold, who were under the age of 21 at the time of their offense. Bredhold was 18 years old at the time he was charged. Following the order, the case was transferred directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Children’s Law Center, serving as local counsel for the Juvenile Law Center, was joined by more than a dozen advocacy organizations, in filing an amicus brief in the Kentucky Supreme Court in support of Mr. Bredhold and the trial court’s decision. The brief focuses on the premise that neuroscience requires abolition of the death penalty for individuals who were under 21 years of age at the time of their offense.
POLICY ADVOCACY
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POLICY ADVOCACY JUVENILE RULE 3 In 2017, CLC along with the ACLU of Ohio and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender filed a request to amend Ohio Rule of Juvenile Procedure 3 to require attorney appointment at the earliest stage of legal proceedings, and to extend protections to children charged with status offenses and misdemeanor level offenses. In 2018, a subcommittee of the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Children, Families and the Courts formed a Juvenile Rule 3 Working Group which voted to approve the submission of the proposed Rule 3 amendments to the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee. The Juvenile Justice Subcommittee voted to submit the amendments to the Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Children & Families. The Advisory Committee will vote on the proposed amendment in 2019.
KY 195 Kentucky made massive strides in the realm of juvenile justice over the last several years. Funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, CLC and the Kentucky Youth Advocates have partnered to tackle further juvenile justice issues in Frankfort. The juvenile expungement bill in 2017 was a piece of legislation drafted, filed and passed with assistance from CLC. This law expanded the number of juvenile offenses eligible for expungement and increased the ease and efficiency of the procedure for seeking expungement, providing an avenue for youth who have stayed out of trouble since their arrest, the opportunity to enter adulthood without the shadow of a juvenile adjudication over their shoulder.
FINANCIALS
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FINANCIALS FY 2018 Total Income
$1,068,957
Net Assets Total Expenses
$1,030,697 $964,913
4 %
Total Expenses: Programs $774,267 Administrative
61 %
$150,314 Fundraising $40,332
FUNDRAISERS
FUNDRAISERS DANCING WITH THE CLC STARS Inspired by the ABCTV’s sensational show Dancing with the Stars, Dancing with the CLC Stars pairs eight local celebrities with professional dancers from Arthur Murray Dance Center for a fundraising dance competition to benefit CLC.
$72,524 raised in the 2018 competition to support CLC work!
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FUNDRASIERS
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HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER AT ENSEMBLE THEATRE
KIM BROOKS TANDY ROAST AND TOAST
Every year, CLC acquires all seating in Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati for a special dress rehearsal performance of their holiday musical. CLC sells sponsorships and seating to this fun-filled event and many purchasers donate their tickets back so they can be given as free tickets to clients of various children’s service agencies throughout Greater Cincinnati.
Kim Brooks Tandy, founder and former executive director of CLC since it's inception in 1989, stepped down on June 30 of 2017 to continue her work on behalf of youth in other formats. In honor of Kim's work, CLC hosted an event to establish the Kim Brooks Tandy Access to Justice Fund; a Board of Directors controlled sustainability fund for CLC.
$5,000
$30,000
over $5,000 raised in the 2017 performance
over $30,000 raised in board-directed funds
DONOR LISTING
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DONOR LISTING Individual Donors Michael Adriatico Margaret Adriatico Rocco Adriatico Julia Allegrini Brenda Allen Gerrard St. Amand Margaret St. Amand Tari Anderson Jennifer Anstaett Daniel Armstrong Laura Aurora-Stopa Steven Averdick Gabrelul Bahleby Shannon Bear Amanda Bear Ann Beaty Carter Beck Aaron Beck Acena Beck Hilairy Begley David Bender Joyce Benge Cyrol Benjamin Mary Benzinger Donald Benzinger Lawrence Bernhard Gregory Bingham Janis Binzer Kathryn Binzer Josh Blair Sharlene Boltz Susanne Bookser Leon Boothe Bradley Bowers Lea Bowers Marcia Bowling
Jennifer Branch Jason Branden John Brinker Cara Bukart Helen Bukulmez Michael Burson Alethea Busken John Cain Mary Campbell Alexandra Cardosi Constance Carroll Linda Carter Angela Chang Pei Chien Maura Clements Nila Clinger Emily Cochran Marcus Coleman Elizabeth Collins Lisa Collins JM Condon Samaris Corona Ava Crow Ryan Cruse Richard Cullison James R. Cummins Jennifer Cusmir Toni Davena Kelly Dehan Megan Dehart Bruce DeMark Gregory Demars Nick Denlinger Jean Deters Gayle Deye Eileen Dharte Melanie Dicker Tiffanny Dickinson
James Dietz Shay Dow Tina Draper Duncan Draper Denise Durbin Derek R. Durbin Stefan Eckert Lisa Edwards Joan Effertz Susan Elser Ryan English Andrea Ewan Raymond Faller Megan Farmer Katherine Fenn Christy Fey Charlene Fieger Anne Flynn Timothy Fogarty Heather Ford David Foster Robert Frank Christy Frey Luke Frient Kathleen Garmany Heather Garrett Trent Garrison Ann Garrity Thomas Garrity Rean Geis Jeffrey Gibson Judi Godsey Laurie Goldman Robert Grace Erin Grady Darren Grafe Paul Grammas
DONOR LISTING
Timothy Grimes Debbie Grossblatt Thomas Guidi Arlene Gutwillig Kendra Guynan Christopher Habel Ray Hagg Gary Hagopian Lucas Hail Megan Hammerer Joanne Hanser Paige Harper Michelle Harrell Daniel Hassert Thomas Hayden Linda Heaton Lambert Hehl Anthony Hennies Sarah Henry Linda Hernandez Catherine Hesse Brooke Hiltz Greta Hoffman Lisa Holt Kim Holthaus Raymond Holthaus Maria Holthaus Zachary Horn Dan Horton Allison Hudson Judy Huesman Jordan Huizenga Robert Ink Christopher Jackson Lisa Jacobs Nan Jensen Lawrence Johnston David Johnston Julie Jones Diana Jones Hanna Jones Christine Jones
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Parool Kadakia Charles Kaiser Robert Kaiser Jamie Kaiser Brenda Karr Laela Kashan Jason Katz Jenna Kehrt Michelle Keller Renie Kelly Susan Kidwell Jennifer Kinsley Michele Kipp Eric Knapp Romaine Koumoutsos George Koumoutsos Sara Krastev Eric Kraus Jennifer Kreder Allan Kremer Allison Kropp Debbie Krueger John Kuchenmeister Joe Lawrie Carla Leader John Leslie Harvey Lewis Karen Linn Kira Lloyd Kira Lloyd Leonard Loeb Duane Loos Tony Luckhardt Brooke MacDonald Taylor MacDonald Lucie MacDonald Mike MacDonald David MacKnight Vanessa Macy Edward Madden Jacqueline Magner Joanna Mann
Linda Manning Danielle Marnocha Susan Marsh Fred Martens Scott Masturzo Denise McCoskey Lisa McGuire Ashley McHugh Kevin McMahon Jennifer Mearns Laura Menge Catherine Metzger Joseph Meyer Robert Kenyon Meyer Barbara Meyer Karen Meyer Suzanne Miller John Minear Mallory Minson Yoko Miura Anita Montanus Lori Moss William Mark Motley John Myers Robert Nader Cynthia Napier David Nartker Joseph Nava Mark Neikirk John Nienaber Stephen Nienaber Dave Nienaber Katherine Nienaber John Nienaber Robert Nienaber Clara Ninn James Noble Monica Northcutt Helgi Olgeirsson Amanda Oswald Serena Owen Col Owens
DONOR LISTING
Scott Oyler Gina Parigoris Victor Paruta John Paselsky Katina Paters Mikaela Patton Lauren Pavlech Molly Pearson Deanna Penn Nancy Perry Catherine Perry Brad Pierce Elizabeth Pierce Alison Posinski Kate Queen Debbie Quinn Heather Ramsey Julie Randall Rachel Rasmussen Alexandre Regina Anne Reiter Alex Resly Thomas Reuters Judith Ribak Julie Richardson Timothy Richter Carol Rodgers-Rivir Jennifer Rose Gary Roselle Louise Roselle Kristie Roth Nicholas Roth Chris Ruberg Amy Ruberg Claire Ruberg Andrew Ruttle Amy Sapsford Mark Sapsford Tasha Schaffner Loren Schechter Rhonda Schechter
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Nathan Schechter Marilyn Schechter Jeffrey Schechter Carolyn Schenck Ralph Scherer Scott Schierberg Emily Schierberg Barbara Schwam Stephen Scroggins Stacie Selfe Louise Sheard Mary Shelley Rebecca Short Marjorie Shriberg Carrie Shufflebarger Tim Shull Michelle Simpson Jo A Simpson Carolyn Slatten Bethany Smith Maureen Smith Tiffanny Smith Ryan Smither Liza Smitherman Barbara Smurda Bradley Soper Jeffrey Soule Kimberly Spangler Stephen Spaulding George Spurlock Barbie Spurlock Paul Staubach Laura Staubach Paul Staubach Paul Stautberg Malinda Steele Ruthann Stenger Elizabeth Stites Alie Stout Kim Tandy Jack Tandy Renate Thomas
Laura Tierney Jim Timmerman Amy Tobin Jose Torres Julie Torres Elizabeth Torrison Terry Town Craig Troup Holly Tumbleson Kathie Turner Ashish Verma Ben Virost John Vissman Joshua Vogt Rachel Votruba Katie Vukovic Stephanie Wall Carolyn Washburn Sheree Weichold Brent Weiss Daniel Wertman Barbara Wexelman Rhonda Whitaker Mike Whiteman Frederick Wiecher Helen Wiggins Louise Wiggins Nicole Wilder Brian Wildman Charles Wilhelm Jillian Wille Patricia Williams Patricia Wolf Betsy Wolking Steve Wolnitzek Katie Wolnitzek Susanna Wong Pamela York David Zlatic Arlynne Zofkie Maria Zurat
DONOR LISTING
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Companies
Foundations/Grants
Amazon Smile Ascent Private Capital Management BB&T Bank Buffalo Wild Wings Buzald Funk Zevely PSC
Baird Private Wealth Management Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation Charles and Ruth Seligman Family Foundation
CSX Transportation Central Bank Chipotle Mexican Grill Chiropractic Healthcare of Northern KY Cincinnati Museum Center Commonwealth Bank and Trust Frost Brown Todd, LLC Hall, Render, Killian, Heath, & Lyman, P.C. Johnson and Johnson Kroger Lil’s Bagels PNC Bank Silicon Valley Bank SpliceNet Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP The Beck Firm The Gambrel Firm The Lawrence Firm Toyota Motor of North America Truist Turner Construction Company Wooding and Lamping, LLP YourCause, LLC
Fidelity Charitable Honeywell International Charity Matching Kentucky Administrative Office of The Courts Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Louisville Bar Foundation McReynolds-Bradley Charitable Fund Network for Good Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency & Prevention in Conjuction with Lighthouse Youth & Family Services Old Seminary Square, Inc. PNC Institutional Asset Management R.C. Durr Foundation The Baird Foundation The George Gund Foundation The Greater Cincinnati Foundation The Roselle Foundation The Spaulding Foundation The Thomas J. Emery Memorial Victims of Crime Act/Kentucky Justice Cabinet WHAS Crusade for Children William E. Barth Foundation
CONTACT US COVINGTON
LEXINGTON
1002 Russell Street Covington, KY 41011 P: (859) 431-3313 F: (859) 655-7553
215 W. Short Street Suite 205 Lexington, KY 40507 P: (859) 253-3353 F: (859) 275-1115
www.childrenslawky.org
@clcky
@childrenslaw
@childrenslawky