Press Releases

Federal Court Victory Upholds Immigrant Children's Rights to State Protection: The U.S. District Court of Central California has declared that immigrant children seeking protection from abuse and neglect should not be barred from access to state courts. In making its decision, the Court took into account an amici curae brief filed by Columbia University Law School's Child Advocacy and Immigration Clinic on behalf of First Star and the Children's Advocacy Institute.

North Carolina Court Denies State Appeal Request in John G. Case: The North Carolina Supreme Court has denied a state appeal request in the John G. case, reaffirming that the state does not have the legal authority to divert the Social Security benefits of foster children to reimburse itself for the cost of their foster care when it is not in the best interest of the child.

North Carolina Court Rules State Must Act in Best Interest of Child in Handling Foster Children’s Social Security Benefits: The North Carolina Court of Appeals today ruled that the state does not have the legal authority to divert the Social Security benefits of foster children to reimburse itself for the cost of their foster care when it is not in the best interest of the children.

First Star Announces New Leadership: The Board of Directors of First Star announced today the appointment of Amy Harfeld as Deputy Executive Director, effective August 21, 2007. Ms. Harfeld succeeds Deborah Sams, who had served as First Star’s CEO from its inception in 1999. Ms. Harfeld had previously served as a volunteer member of First Star’s Policy Advisory Committee.

Most States Fail to Protect the Legal Rights of Children in Foster Care, Study Finds: Nearly half of U.S. states fail to provide legal representation for abused and neglected foster children, leaving them without a voice during judicial proceedings that profoundly impact their futures, a new study found. The peer-reviewed study - A Child's Right to Counsel. First Star's National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children - was released today by First Star, a leading national child advocacy organization.     

Proposed Legislation Will Ensure Social Security for Children in Foster Care: In a move to help America’s most vulnerable children, Congressman Pete Stark (CA-13th) introduced legislation to ensure that foster children who are eligible for Social Security and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) actually receive the benefits to address their needs and improve upon their lives. 

First Star Sponsors Congressional Briefing on Foster Children-Self Support Act: First Star announced today that a Capitol Hill briefing will be held Friday, February 16, 2007, at 9:30AM in Room 318 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The briefing will focus on the common state practice of robbing disabled and orphaned foster children of Social Security and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) benefits to which they are entitled. Congressman Pete Stark will introduce legislation which will enable the fair disbursement of such benefits to America's foster youth.

First Star Speaks Out in Defense of Dakota Fanning: The founder of one of America’s leading children’s rights organizations responded today to accusations that the director of “Hounddog” violated pornography laws. 

Celebrities Give Big Bear Hugs for Children In Need: A host of celebrity child advocates have donated one-of-a-kind Build-A-Bear® stuffed animals bearing their official signature to First Star, which will be auctioned on www.CharityFolks.com. Pierce Brosnan, Robert Townsend, Sela Ward, Judge Reinhold, Malcolm David Kelley, Anne Heche, Macy Gray, Alexandra Rieger, Star Jones Reynolds, U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez, Kathy Najimy and others have participated in the auction.

Operation Stormbreaker I.D. Tags to Benefit First Star: The producers of the feature film Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker announced today a public awareness campaign to benefit America’s children. Fans and followers of the film’s hero, Alex Rider, are invited to purchase limited-edition “Stormbreaker I.D. Tags” that are now available online.

D.C. Events Highlight Need for Foster Care Reform: In conjunction with National Foster Care Month, leading national child welfare organizations – including Home At Last, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, First Star and the National Foster Care Coalition - convened a series of Capitol Hill events designed to increase awareness of the need to reform our nation’s foster care system and to improve outcomes for the nearly half a million children in our care.

First Star and Build-A-Bear Workshop® to Honor Young Heroes
at June 3 Charity Event in Los Angeles: First Star announced today an alliance with Build-A-Bear Workshop® to honor the 2006 Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes® at the annual Celebration for Children’s Rights to be held in Los Angeles on June 3, 2006.

Tickets On Sale Now for Washington's Official Oscar Night® Party:
On Sunday, March 5, 2006, residents of the Washington area can officially join the red carpet festivities by attending the only Academy-sanctioned Oscar Night® America party in the city.

First Star and Columbia, USD, UF Law Schools to Establish 'Multidisciplinary Centers of Excellence' for Child Advocacy: First Star has announced that the Columbia Law School and the University of Florida Levin College of Law will join the University of San Diego School of Law as collaborative partners in establishing the First Star Multidisciplinary Centers of Excellence (MCEs).

Washington's Official 2005 Oscar Night ® America Party to Benefit
AFI Silver Theatre and First Star: Residents of the Washington area can join the red carpet festivities when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences stages its 77th Academy Awards® Presentation on Sunday, February 27, 2005 at the American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring.

Stars Shine at First Star's Celebration for Children's Rights:Celebrities, politicians and a guest list of Los Angeles Who’s Who enjoyed a night under the stars at the First Star benefit held Saturday evening, June 12th, at a private Brentwood residence.

First Star and Tylerskye Partnership Will Put Children First: First Star has announced a cause-related marketing partnership with Tylerskye by Villand, the LA based upscale fashion denim company, to raise funds dedicated to improving life for America's most vulnerable children.

First Star Backs Pew Commission's Report on Children in Foster Care: Directly in line with a recommendation by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, First Star has recently announced its plans to establish the First Start Multidisciplinary Centers of Excellence (MCE) for the teaching of child advocacy.

First Star Goes to Congress on Behalf of Children: Members of Congress used First Star’s third annual Congressional Roundtable on Children to draft a letter that urges the President to prioritize children's issues, particular those surrounding child maltreatment and abuse.