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Chicago, IL June 13, 2013 - Leading foster youth-focused advocacy organization, First Star, is discussing dramatic expansion of its Foster Academies to new universities, a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action, at the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) meeting in Chicago. The organization addresses the educational disadvantages faced by almost all foster youth: Currently 30% of Americans earn a Bachelors Degree, while only 3% of Foster Youth have that advantage.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - MAY 10, 2012 - Despite the moral imperative and sound fiscal basis for protecting the legal rights of abused and neglected children, half of U.S. states cheat them of appropriate legal representation, denying them an effective voice in proceedings that determine their futures, according to a state-by-state study conducted by two national child advocacy organizations.

New Report Finds Too Many States Continue To Restrict Public Scrutiny Of Child Protection Programs; Some Have Improved Disclosure Laws 

WASHINGTON, DC - April 17, 2012 - A new report finds that a culture of secrecy in states across the country continues to hamper efforts to stem the tide of child abuse-related fatalities and near-fatalities, estimated to be at least 1,700 a year. Information about child abuse deaths and near-deaths that could help prevent future tragedies remains veiled behind many states' restrictive disclosure laws, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
 

First Star, a national non-profit that fights for the rights of abused and neglected children, testified on March 8 before the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates in opposition to HB 834. The proposed bill would establish an alternative response to reports of child abuse and neglect and would further remove the Department of Human Resources from accountability.

Washington, DC, March 16, 2011 - States across the country regularly confiscate the assets of foster children, including Social Security survivor and disability benefits - all but ensuring these youths' failure as they “age out” of the foster care system at age 18, according to a new report released today.
 

In addition, many foster children are becoming the victims of identity theft, as their social security numbers pass through the hands of numerous agencies and individuals throughout their time in the system, according to the report.

(Washington, D.C.) On January 25, 2008, the North Carolina Supreme Court 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. This decision signals the final chapter in a case that began to wind its way through the courts three years ago, bringing national attention to the plight of now 17-year-old John G.

Model Act Would Prompt States to Adopt Uniform Protections for Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings

WHAT: The American Bar Association's policy-making House of Delegates will vote on the ABA Model Act Governing the Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Proceedings at its Annual Meeting in Chicago. The Model Law represents a significant step forward in the representation of children in dependency hearings.

(Washington, D.C.) On January 11, 2008, the U.S. District Court of Central California 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.

New York, NY (October 18, 2006) - A Host of celebrity child advocates have donated one-of-a-kind Build-ABear® stuffed animals bearing their official signature to First Star, which will be auctioned on www.CharityFolks.com beginning on October 18, 2006. 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 Naimy, and others have participated in the auction. The ears were donated for the celebrity auction by Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. ®, which hosted the 2006 First Star Celebration for Children Rights. Proceeds from the online auction benefit First Star, a 501(c)(3) public charity whose programs aid child victims of abuse and neglect