First Star surveyed more than 120 child advocates, lawyers and experts nationwide to determine areas of need for abused and neglected children in terms of law and policy.

The survey indicated a critical need to educate lawmakers on:

• The importance of improving the representation of children in the courts with qualified legal counsel
• Ways to promote accountability among child protection systems
• Ways of ensuring that foster children's best interests (both long-and short-term) are considered and protected.

Guided by our Policy Advisory Council, First Star has developed two working documents that are intended to support positive legislation for children: The First Star Right to Counsel Principles and The First Star Confidentiality Principles.

The Principles are incorporated into our annual Congressional Roundtable on Children, a program that encourages legislators from all ideological backgrounds to work together toward attainable solutions for abused and neglected children.