CCA's Effective Response to Struggles for Children and Youth Here are some of our attorneys' recent wins for individual children and youth: Child Welfare
On May 4, CCA attorney Stacy Schleif presented argument virtually before the CT Supreme Court on behalf of her 2 year-old client, AW, to determine whether AW and her mother, whose parental rights were terminated at trial, had the right to court-ordered visitation. The case is pending the Supreme Court's decision. Secured phone and tablet for youth discharged from DCF group care so he can connect with school and community. Immigration
Secured Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for two youth, which will allow them to stay in the US safely while they file for permanent status. One is benefiting from new law CCA helped introduce that allows youth over 18 to secure SIJ status. Education
Secured required special education support for middle school student who needed help with distance learning. Worked with school administrators and social worker on Covid transition programming for intellectually disabled child. Housing and Homelessness
Advised a Town Health Department about Housing Code violations on behalf of child with severe, chronic disease. Worked with family of disabled child to move safely to subsidized housing that became available last week. Helped two young adults in DCF care get mental health supports and housing through DMHAS Young Adult Services. Intakes had been put on hold and DMHAS agreed to secure a temporary apartment and support services until Young Adult Services reopens. Here are some of the systemic efforts CCA attorneys worked on last week: Racial Justice
Led Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) meetings in Bridgeport, Hamden, Hartford, Waterbury, and New Haven to address pandemic disparities in communities of color. Access to Benefits
Trained community partners on basic state and federal benefits and additional benefits available during pandemic for low-income youth and families. Utility Termination
Worked with Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to continue pandemic-related protection against termination past May 1. Child Welfare, Homelessness, Food Insecurity
Secured grant to produce short videos to address legal barriers youth are experiencing during Covid crisis. First addresses availability of Economic Stimulus Payments. Worked with partner agencies to provide gift cards for families facing food insecurity. Connected families with services for basic needs, food banks, energy and rent assistance, health and behavioral health supports. Conducted training for attorneys new to child welfare practice. Advocated with DCF to temporarily prevent the discharge of youth over age 18, and worked with DCF on transition services for young adults. Worked with partners to address needs of youth who are homeless: identifying barriers to housing security to communicate information to statewide leaders. Educational Advocacy
Monitored calls of concern regarding State Department of Education compliance with Sheff stipulations. Trained partners on educational advocacy to assure children can access online learning and directed educational supports. Provided feedback to State Department of Education on needs of students who are homeless, along with recommendations for educational funding sources. Health
Worked with the City of Hartford Health Director to ensure Covid testing for youth who are living in congregate care facilities. Juvenile Justice
Met with City of Hartford Youth Violence Prevention team to address crisis concerns. Resources: Our CCA Covid Resources webpage is devoted to sharing critical information and updates about state and federal policy and supports. | 
