CCA's Critical Work Right Now: Homelessness, Access to Food, Child Welfare, Medical Care, Education This critical situation is worse for kids who were so vulnerable even before COVID-19. They are homeless, hungry, suffering from abuse, can't access healthcare. The list below is long, yet this is only some of the work CCA attorneys have done in the past two weeks for the kids we represent: - Helped a homeless 18 year old access permanent housing, furnished with private donations because distribution centers are closed due to COVID.
- Helped a youth ready for discharge from detention get into secure group home. They had initially rejected his application and he had no place else to go.
- Consulted about legal guardianship so a teen did not have to return home to abusive parents.
- Checked with every abused and neglected child we represent to ensure needs that arise as a result of COVID-19 are met (education, daycare, housing stability, more).
- Helped a teen secure his SSDI income after he discovered it had been stolen by his foster family. We helped him navigate the system to get an ID, find a room to rent, and apply for a conservator who can protect him.
- Represented a 15 year old who was arrested for sleeping in an abandoned building. We counseled him to find a family friend he could stay with during the COVID crisis and are helping him work with DCF to find permanent housing.
- Worked with a 16 year old girl, whose mother was arrested for assaulting her, to help her find a safe place to live.
- Negotiated a living arrangement for a DCF youth who was supposed to transition to DMHAS Young Adult Services. DMHAS had closed intakes due to COVID.
- Represented a college student who lived on campus, even during school breaks, and had no place to go when the campus closed and the college sent all students home. DCF agreed to help her
Here is what we have done on behalf of thousands of kids throughout the state: - Helped initiate a letter to Governor Lamont, co-signed by 250 health providers, requesting expansion of HUSKY insurance to undocumented children, youth and parents/guardians.
- Worked on expansion of Medicaid for children with severe disabilities whose families’ insurance is unable to provide adequate coverage.
- Pressed DCF to extend care for youth over 18 so they are not discharged and homeless during this crisis.
- Met with State Department of Education officials to ensure that children's educational needs are met during the crisis: special education, ELL, and education for incarcerated youth.
- Worked to increase foster care payments for caregivers who have lost jobs or are struggling to care for high-needs children with no respite.
- Consulted with healthcare providers to create a proposal that allows parents of medically fragile children to stay out of the workplace during the COVID crisis.
- Guided medical staff and social workers to help limited-English parents navigate unemployment applications.
- Advocated with Hartford and Bridgeport Public Schools to improve distribution of tablets for online learning.
- Advocated with Judicial Department for technology to support probation officers.
- Advocated with Public Utilities Regulatory Commission to support moratorium on utility shutoff.
- Advised healthcare providers and clients about the temporary moratorium against housing evictions.
- Advocated with the State Department of Education to clarify and correct guidance on special education programming for low income students.
- Met weekly with the teens in our Youth Expertise Work Group to provide input for the legislature's Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee.
- Advocated with the Department of Corrections to help discharged youth return to the community safely, with a secure place to live.
- Udpated daily: COVID Resources and Information page on the Center's website is to help those working with children and families who are suffering.
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Spring for Kids Moves to June 17 Our annual Spring for Kids fundraiser and Champion of Children awards presentation has moved to a virtual event on June 17. We hope you will join us online to celebrate the award winners and hear the stories presented by some of the children our attorneys represent. Please click here to register now. No purchase is required, but we hope you will consider supporting the important work that is still to be done. Do you have an item or a skill you would like to donate for the silent auction? Please email Eileen Brennan if you do! Auction preview will open June 8. Thank you. We truly appreciate your loyal support.
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