Annual Report Fiscal Year 2017
As our fiscal year comes to an end, it also marks the end of my tenure at the Children’s Law Center as Executive Director. I have been privileged to lead this organization as its founder from its inception in 1989, over 28 years ago now. It has been a Kim Tandy Founder, Executive Director from 1989 - 2017 labor of love, and I am proud of what the organization has been able to accomplish through its board, staff and students. We have not only touched the lives of many children in Kentucky and Ohio, but our impact has been felt more recently in Indiana, throughout our region, and in some aspects, nationally. I’m fortunate to be leaving at a good time for the organization, as it is healthy financially and has a strong and committed staff. The Board of Directors has planned for this transition for two years, and it has made them and the organization stronger. I happily turned over the reins to Acena Beck, a talented young lawyer and leader who will move forward in positive ways, and will leave her own mark in the years to come. The Children’s Law Center remains committed to serving the most needy young people, and holding accountable those systems charged with their care and education. I have been blessed to see so many former clients over the years emerge as young healthy adults overcoming the challenges that life has thrown them. But I am humbled by others who have not fared as well, and whose life outcomes suggest we have much work remaining to break the cycle of abuse, neglect, trauma, and the perils imposed on families who live in poverty. We have not yet abandoned our reliance on incarceration of young people or assisted them well enough in successfully re-entering their communities after incarceration. Our mental health systems remain fragmented, and that fragmentation bleeds into our child welfare system, our juvenile justice system, and our criminal justice system unmercifully. So there is much for my colleagues remaining at the Children’s Law Center to do. And there is much support still needed for our work here. So stay tuned as we enter the next chapter. I have a lifetime of memories made here in Northern Kentucky, but I leave knowing I will continue this work on a consulting basis, both with the Children’s Law Center as well as with other organizations advancing fairness and justice. Best regards always, Kim Tandy
Table of Contents Board of Directors Staff Individual Advocacy Crime Victim Project Youth in Transition Training and Education Impact Litigation Public Policy Work Donor Listing 1 2 3-4 5 6 7 8 9 10-13 Our Mission Children’s Law Center, Inc. (CLC) is a non-profit legal service center protecting the rights of children and youth to help them overcome barriers and transition into adulthood, better advocate for their needs, and successfully contribute to society. It provides individual legal advocacy to children and youth, and through public policy work, training and education, impact litigation, and juvenile defender support services, seeks to improve the systems that serve them. CLC offers services in both Kentucky and Ohio, and collaborates with other organizations within the region and nationally on a variety of topics.
Board 2016-2017 President Joseph Nava Vice President Carrie Shufflebarger Treasurer Julie Roesel Belton Secretary Jamie Ramsey Jennifer Anstaett J. David Bender Donald G. Benzinger Dr. Frank Biro, MD Jennifer Branch Tonya S. Burns Naima Clarke Marcus Coleman Rocco D’Ascenzo Brooke Hiltz Jennifer Lawrence Carla Loon Leader Paul Long Elizabeth Malloy Michael Marker Kerrie Martin Jennifer Mearns Kenyon Meyer Brian Morris David Nienaber Eddie Ostreicher Louise Roselle Lowell Schechter Jonathan Thornberry Rachel Votruba Stephen Worth
Staff 2016-2017 Executive Director Kim Brooks Tandy Deputy Director Acena Beck Managing Attorney, Lexington Amanda Mullins Bear Ohio Policy and Litigation Director Rickell Howard Development Director John Vissman Business Manager Louise Sheard Office Administrator Maggie Kane Staff Attorneys Emily Cochran Carmen Ross Contract Attorneys Chelsea Young J. Eric Rottinghaus Vickie Arrowood Consultants Ava Crow Anne Flynn Youth Reentry Advocate Garien Gatewood Youth in Transition Advocates Brooke Cooper Carrie Gilbert Crime Victim Project Attorney Denise Durbin NKU Chase CLC Clinic Director Amy Halbrook
Training and Education The NKU Chase Children’s Law Center Clinic — In 2011, CLC and Chase College of Law collaborated to form the NKU Chase Children’s Law Center Clinic. The Clinic is housed on the third floor of CLC’s Covington office. It serves as an educational model that allows law students to gain real-world experience representing young clients while being closely supervised by Chase Law professor Amy Halbrook. Once oriented to practice, students are assigned to actual cases. Through participation in the Clinic, students develop skills necessary to the successful practice of law and are exposed to multiple perspectives on justice, fairness and morality. Each student, preparing to soon become a lawyer, is encouraged to reflect on attorneys' roles and ethical responsibilities. The Clinic students, under the direct supervision of Professor Amy Halbrook, represented clients in 45 family law cases. Children’s Law Center works with students from many law schools and undergraduate programs in the region. Sharonda Hunter, NKU Chase College of Law (Left), Harper Hill, UC College of Law (Right)
Impact Litigation Ohio v. Matthew Aalim – (Supreme Court of Ohio) A brief for Amicus Curiae was filed on January 8, 2016 by CLC on behalf of ten (10) organizations in this state appeal challenging Ohio laws that require mandatory transfer of youth to adult court. S.R. v. Korzenborn — (U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky) This federal civil rights case was filed in August 2015 by CLC, Dinsmore & Shohl and the ACLU on behalf of two Covington elementary school students with disabilities. The children, ages 8 and 9, were handcuffed by a school resource officer (“SRO”) unnecessarily and with excessive force. The complaint alleged that handcuffing the young students violated their Fourth Amendment rights, and that the Sheriff’s Department’s policy permitting the handcuffing of students with disabilities violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. After launching an investigation into the district’s disciplinary practices in October of 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a Settlement Agreement with the district in January of 2017. The Agreement requires the district to take effective steps to ensure its disciplinary policies and practices are not discriminatory. Instead of using restraint and seclusion, exclusionary discipline, and law enforcement response to student misconduct, the district will implement an intervention procedure to better identify and meet the needs of students with disabilities. C.C., J.S., & G.S. v. Oldham County Board of Education – (Oldham Circuit Court) A civil complaint was filed in Kentucky state court on behalf of CLC clients challenging the constitutionality of Kentucky's expulsion statute, which allows schools to expel students without services. While the complaint was pending, CLC filed for a temporary injunction asking the judge to order the school to re-enroll the kids and allow them to attend the alternative school in the intermediary time. The trial Judge granted our request for an injunction, but the school board appealed and the Court of Appeals overturned it, 2-1. As a result, the CLC and its clients were presented with the ultimate conundrum attorneys face with impact litigation: insist on the constitutional challenge that provides the greatest impact and relief to countless future students, or forego the constitutional challenge because it is in the best interest of the current clients. After consultation with the parents and clients, it was decided that staying in school was in the best interest of the kids.
Public Policy Initiatives Children’s Law Center worked with Kentucky Youth Advocates to draft and support SB 195, the Juvenile Expungement Bill, sponsored by Senator Whitney Westerfield. The law went into effect July 1, 2017 to help youth who have been held accountable and have stayed out of trouble expunge additional offenses. SB 195 will make youth record expungement more consistent with adult record expungement, and eliminates some hurdles under the existing expungement statute. KY 195 In May 2017, the Children’s Law Center, Ohio ACLU, and the Office of the Ohio Public Defender filed a request with the Supreme Court of Ohio to strengthen the right to counsel provisions within Juvenile Rule 3 and limit the number of youth who waive the right to counsel. The request would require that all youth be appointed counsel at the earliest stage possible, and ensure that youth do not waive this right without having consulted with counsel first. The request was submitted on the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision, In re Gault, which sets forth the principle that children have a constitutional right to counsel. This decision paved the way for children to have critical rights in juvenile court. But, in some jurisdictions in the U.S., including Ohio, children still appear in court without an attorney. OH Juvenile Rule
JJJ Developed by Strategies for Youth, Juvenile Justice Jeopardy (“JJJ”) is an interactive game aimed to educate youth about the law, how to interact with police and their peers. Youth learn about the short and long term implications of arrest and court involvement on future educational and employment opportunities. JJJ is funded by the KY Bar Foundation in Kentucky and the Cincinnati and Ohio Bar Foundations in Hamilton County. In March 2015, CLC launched the Stop Solitary for Ohio Youth campaign. Stop Solitary is committed to eliminating the harmful practice of secluding youth in adult jails and prisons, state youth correctional facilities, local juvenile detention centers, and residential treatment facilities. In 2016, CLC commissioned Turner Construction to build a life-size replica of a solitary confinement cell to raise awareness about the use of solitary confinement in youth facilities and to help participants gain a deeper understanding of the experience of isolation. The cell has been exhibited at several conferences and generated many powerful conversations about this damaging practice. The Stop Solitary campaign has garnered support from dozens of state and national organizations and hundreds of individuals.
Individual Representation Childre July Juvenile Court Representation Youth in Adult Court Representation Youth in Transition Crime Victim Advocacy Education Advocacy Family Court Representation Through a holistic approach to individual representation, CLC lawyers ensure that the fundamental rights of youth are upheld while also working toward positive life outcomes that can improve economic stability, achieve mental and physical wellbeing, further education, and connect youth with their families and communities. Approximately half of our clients had emotional, physical, and/or cognitive disabilities. 48% ent ed her high school graduation and Nyesha has several diagnoses that cult for her to be successful at C attorney helped her achieve her oals by attending numerous s at school, coordinating with her ealth providers to make sure appropriate cation and treatment plans were in lace, and utilizing a variety of alternatives to ensure her academic success.
dren & Youth Served July 2016 - June 2017 20% 59% 15% 6% Northern KY: 315 Central/Eastern/Western KY: 106 Louisville, KY: 33 Ohio: 78 Total number of youth served: 532 40% of our clients experienced problems related to their Education Nearly half of our clients experienced issues directly related to poverty. 4 4 % 65% Nearly two-thirds of our clients had pending hearings in juvenile, family, and/ or criminal court. More than half our clients experienced mental, physical or sexual abuse. 55%
Youth in Transition Education Services Stable Housing Employment Opportunities Records Sealing & Expungement Physical & Mental Health Referrals Legal Representation The Youth in Transition team provided services and support to 60 youth who successfully reentered their communities after out-ofhome placements. Only two weeks afte the street. CLC work supportive home wit Youth in Transition for Najee and his ho to navigate and prov applying for jobs, an grades. Najee just be Kentucky University In furtherance of CLC’s mission to provide children with protection from Crime Victim Project was launched in October 2016. Its mission is to pr representation to children victims of crime. The project provides legal rep children survivors of sexual assault, family violence, Crime Victim Project intimate partner v human trafficking. Since its inception, CLC has represented 103 children Criminal Court Representation Family Court Representation DVO/IPO Representation School Advocacy This project is supported by VOCA-2016-Children’s-00123, awarded through the Kentu Public Safety Cabinet by the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’ve done some stuff—not good stuff—but I know [CLC] cares about me anyways. Thanks for doing what you do.” -Ronnie Campbell County District Court Judge Cameron Blau presenting Ronnie with his high school diploma (left). after school began, Najee found himself on worked to assist securing Najee a stable and me with his former basketball coach. His CLC tion Advocate provided multiple supports is host family, including helping the family provide Najee’s basic needs, aiding Najee in bs, and encouraging Najee to maintain his ust began his freshman year at Northern ersity on a full scholarship. “[CLC] is awesome! [They] have worked with me and the [host family], and never let me doubt myself. Thanks for believing in me!” -Najee rom harm, the CLC to provide free legal al representation to ner violence, and dren crime victims. on Kentucky Justice and In Spring 2017, CLC was appointed to represent an adolescent victim of dating violence. The 14 year old victim had been physically and emotionally abused by her dating partner. The Crime Victim Project attorney worked with the victim to provide safety planning and education about the dynamics of intimate partner abuse. The CLC attorney obtained a dating violence protection order on the for the maximum allowed time of three years. The protection order gave the victim the space and security she needed to begin to heal. She is now doing well in school again and is excelling at her parttime job. Ronnie turned 18 in state custody and was facing being released from placement with no housing, no access to money, and no high school diploma. CLC worked with Ronnie to stay focused and met with the counselor, educational staff, and supervisors. Client Story
$80,200 raised in unrestricted funds to support CLC work! Holiday Fundraiser at ETC CINCINNATI This annual performance is dedicated to Mary Fisher Every year, CLC partners with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati for a holiday fundraiser. Funds raised through the event are used to children and youth remain in school, assist child victims of crime in Northern Kentucky, support youth reentering into society from out of home placement, and ensure children’s fundamental rights are upheld.
Grand Champion: Candyse Jeffries Talent Champion: Teddy Kremer Fundraising Champion: Jennifer Lawrence Save the Date! s Dancing with the CLC Stars 2018: May 31, 2018 $5,700 raised in unrestricted funds to support CLC work! Save the Date! CLC’s Annual Holiday Fundraiser at ETC: November 26, 2017
Financials Where our funds come from: Contributions Special Events 9% 8% Foundation Grants United Way Access to Justice Fees Miscellaneous 52% 3% 22% 7% Acena Beck Executive Director July 2017—Present Greetings! I am Acena Beck, Executive Director of Children’s Law Center, and I look forward to partnering with you to remove barriers to success for the children and youth we serve. As you may know, Kim Brooks Tandy, founder of CLC, stepped down as Executive Director on July 1st of 2017 to continue her work on behalf of youth in other formats. Kim remains part of the CLC family as a consultant. Through a rigorous selection process over the past year, the CLC Board of Directors selected me to be CLC’s second Executive Director in the organization’s 28 year history. It is an honor and a bit of a challenge to fill the shoes of such an esteemed colleague as Kim, but with the support of the Board, our excellent staff and you, our supporters, CLC continues to achieve its goals.
Fiscal Year 2017 Where our funds go: Administrative Personnel Occupancy/Facilities Insurance Technology Travel Special Events Other 2% 76% 4% 1% 2% 2% 2% 11% In the coming year CLC will continue to focus on individual legal representation for more than 500 children and youth in Kentucky and Ohio. CLC will continue to seek to improve the systems that serve children and youth through policy reform and impact litigation and CLC will continue to provide training and education for legal professionals about the rights of children and youth. CLC will increase its focus on advocating for children who are victims of crime, youth who are in transition out of foster care or incarceration and children suffering from the effects of poverty. Also, CLC will create and conduct self-help materials and information sessions to teach parents and guardians how they may self-represent in child custody proceedings and education advocacy processes. We are excited to continue our mission of helping children overcome barriers to success. Thank you for supporting the CLC and making this work possible. Regards, Acena Beck
Individual Donors Barbara Aaron Nancy Achberger Bradley Acree Jason Adkins Valerie Adley Margaret Adriatico Michael Adriatico Katherine Alexander Julia E. Allegrini Timothy & Cindy Allison Robert & Cara Alpern Karyn Alten Thomas Alten Mary Anderson Blake Annen Jennifer Anstaett Barry Applegate Amelie Aquilino Barbara Aquilino Eisha Armstrong Melanie Arnold Doug Baglier Melody Barbour Elizabeth Bareswilt Tina Barlow Katherine Bayer Amanda Bear Aaron Beck Acena Beck Bobbye Leigh Beckman Donnel Bell Julie Roesel Belton J. David Bender Jeffrey Bender Greg Bennings Donald Benzinger Allen Bernard Alanna Best Michael Biggs Ward L. Billhimer Michael Billman Daniel R. Bisig Lindsey Blankenbaker Lisa Bockweg Roger Bockweg Rich Boehne Todd Bonnell Susan Bookser B. Scott Boster William Bradbury Jennifer Branch Susan Breving John Brinker George Brinkman Jodi Brown Doug Bruekner Janice Brueckner Andrew Brunsman Maria Brutz Tiffany Buller-Schussler Cara Burkart Tammy Burns Tonya Burns Catherine Burris Mary Sue Butler Francis Calardo Cheryl & Hugh Campbell Lauren Canfield Michele Carey Kimberly Carlisle Jacqueline Carroll Linda H. Carter Robert Castellini Dave Chandler Rhonda Chisenhall Jo Ann Cobb Emily Cochran Samantha Cole Marcus Coleman Nancy Collins Mark Cook Laura Cooley Brent Cooper Jeff Craven Daniel Cronin Ava Crow Richard Cullison James R. Cummins Melissa Currence
Donors Lauren Dahman Rocco D’Ascenzo Dominick Daniele Kim Daugherty Robert Davis Sandra Derringer Brian Dershaw Normand Desmarais Eric Deters Jean Deters Michael Detzel Stephanie A. Dietz Mary Jane Dolan John S. Domaschko Amy Doyle Kathleen Dubbs Leslie Ducey William Ducey Christine Duggins Christie Dunaway Jennifer Duncan Jeffrey Dunlap Denise Durbin January Durbin Heather Eberenz Andre Elkins Todd Elliot Chris Ellis Kimberlee Erdman Matthew Erdman Michael & Marsha Farrell Evangelina Figueroa John Fisher Anne Flynn Dawna Fogarty Meredith Foster Talia Frye Michael Gallivan Jack Geiger Sharon Geiger Travis Geiger Ryan Gentil Eric Gentry Judith Gerding Shirlene Gilb Carrie Gilbert Kelli Gilbert Elizabeth Gilday Shirlene Gill Doug Ginn Patricia Gleason Lee Ann Goff Jill Gough-Ducey Bob Grace Diana Grace Diane & John Grace Jack Grace Mary Grace Robert Grace Shannon Grace Stephen Grace Dawn Grinspan Ken Gunkel Jill Gustafson Pamela Habenstein-Lee Theresa Hammons Sandi Hammons John Hands Kara Harp Alexandra M. Harsacky James Hegener Lambert Hehl Penny Hendy Sarah Henry Kerstin Hesener Brooke Hiltz Valerie Hobbs Elise Hoffer Katherine Hoffmann Alysse Hollis Raymond Holthaus Rickell Howard Donna Hubbard Will & Susan Huber Lisa Hughes Jordan Huizenga Emily Hunsucker Robin Hunsucker Wendell Hunsucker
Robert Hunter Jeanne Iames Gita Illerchip Cathy & Grace Jackson Jeanne James Candyse Jeffries Kathy Johnson Shannon Johnson Alex Jones Becky Jones Julie Jones Lisa Jones Leah Jordan Anne Judge Jaeyeon Jung Stanley Justice Margaret Kane Karen D Kane Amy Karozos Christine Kauffmann Barbara E Keeling James & Michelle Keller Jennifer Kellerman Upama Khakurel Diane Kidd Jennifer Kinsley Priya Klocek Mark Knibbe Melissa Koester Amanda Kolar Cathy Koop Melissa Koppenhofer Tom Korbee Ami Kothari Dale Kozma Karen Kratzer Mark Kreinbrink Cheryl Kremer Erin Kremer Dianne Kuhnell Gregory Kuttenkuler Michelle Lafferty Mark Lambert Susan & James Landgrebe Robert Lawley Jennifer Lawrence Richard Lawrence Carla & Gregory Leader Julie Lee Babbye Leigh Jack F. Lenihan Jason Lenihan Robert Lewis Noel Lewis Michael Lewis Phillip K. Lichtenstein Joanne Lindy Brandi Lingrosso David Lockard Doug Loftus Paul Long Tara Lorton Liz Lucas Katherine Lutes Micheline Maamari Catherine MacDonald Amol Maddiwar Leenata Maddiwar Paraag Maddiwar Surekha Maddiwar Jeremy & Desiree Mainous Scott Malof Kathleen Malone Michael Marker Marc Marlette John Marrero Mary Marrero Michael Marrero John Marshall Kerrie Martin Robert Marton John Mattero Debbie Mattingly Dimitri Mavriplis Valerie McClure Kari McDaniel James McLean Jennifer Mearns Sarah Meece Mary Meehan
Donors Gary & Catherine Metzger Robert Meyer Paul Miller Elizabeth Miller Gita Millerchip Norah Mock John Mocker Mark Modlin Anitra Moore Jennifer Moore Brian Morris Tracy Moseley Leisa Mulcahy Joy Mullins Kevin L. Murphy Christine Myers Joseph & Ruth Nava Lawrence & Sandra Niemiec David Nienaber David Novitski Judy O'Banion William J O'Brien Jennifer S. Overmann Thomas Paci Claire Parsons Mikaela Patton Molly Pearson Deanna Penn Timothy Perkins Daniel Prows Ashlea Pullen Victoria Pumpple Jeffrey H. Raines Deena Rassenfoss Brooke Ratterman Linda Rawe Cynthia Reed Alex Regina Kimberly Reichert Dennis Repenning Kendall Reynolds Stephanie Riedmiller Catherine Ritzmann William T. Robinson IV Margaret Rodes Susan Roedersheimer Louise M. Roselle John Rosenberg Carmen Ross Eric Rottinghaus Virginia Ruberg Shelley Rudisill Sara Runge Donna Salyers Darlene Sand Wall Jeffrey Schaefer Judith & Lowell Schechter Stuart Schechter Tom Schroth John Schuermann Lisa Schuster Lissa Shackelford Louise Sheard David Shearer Carrie & Eric Shufflebarger Cynthia Siddens Andrea Siefring-Robbins Robert Simmons Margaret Smeltzer Amy Smith Laura Smith Tiffanny Smith Stephen Spaulding Mary J Stallings Cindy Standen Nelson Stark James Stebbins Cathy Stickels “L-A” Stopa Jeri Stull Jamie Stumbo Nick Summe Robert Tagher Jack & Kim Tandy Janie Tebben Jennifer Thiemann Sue Thinnes Russell Thomas
Jill & Jim Timmerman Craig Troup Sherrie Turner Larry Vannasdall Mariana Vardaka Nicholas Vehr Christine & John Vissman John Vogelpohl Lexie Vogt Rachel & James Votruba Stephen & Sally Walker Gail Walsh Bud Walters Carol Walters Charles Walters Emily Ward Cathryn Wasson Valerie Watson Woodford Webb Sheree Weichold Ronald Weitzenkorn Lauren Wells Jamie Welsh Genevieve Wenning Barbara Wherley Michael Whiteman Greg Winholt Jeannine Winkelmann Tammy Wise Julie Wittekind Carrie Wood Chelsea Young ZoeAnn Yussman Mary Zalla Wilbert L. Ziegler James Zimmerman Pamela Zipperer-Davis Companies Amazon Smile BB&T Buffalo Wild Wings Busald Funk Zevely Central Bank CHC Manufacturing, Inc. Commonwealth of Kentucky Dept. of the Treasury Dream Moore Photography Duke Energy ESI Electrical Contractors E.W. Scripps Company Fifth Third Bank Gerhardstein and Branch Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, P.C. I.S.P. Consulting Infinity 7 Kroger Law Office of Jefferson Liston, LLC Nicholas Place, LLC Northern Kentucky Bar Association
Donors Microsoft Matching Gifts Program Nelson Stark Company Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce RCF Group Scoons Contract Services SpliceNet St. Elizabeth Healthcare Strategic Settlements & Investments Summe Law PSC Taft The Beck Firm, PLLC The Cincinnati Reds The Lawrence Firm The Law Office of J. Eileen Zell, PLLC Thompson Hine Thomson Reuters Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Turner Construction Company University of Kentucky Foundations Baird Foundation Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation Charles and Ruth Seligman Family Foundation Cincinnati Bar Foundation Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation First Giving Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels Impact Fund John A. Schrotch Family Charitable Trust Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Kentucky Youth Advocates Louisville Bar Foundation NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund National Juvenile Defender Center Northern Kentucky Bar Foundation Ohio State Bar Foundation Proctor & Gamble Fund Roselle Foundation PNC Charitable Trust Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati Scripps Howard Foundation The Butler Foundation The George Gund Fund The Greater Cincinnati Foundation The Impact Fund The Kentucky Bar Foundation The Spaulding Foundation United Way of Greater Cincinnati United Way of the Bluegrass WHAS Crusade for Children, Inc.
www.childrenslawky.org www.facebook.com/clcky www.twitter.com/childrenslaw Covington 1002 Russell Street Covington, KY 41011 P: (859) 431-3313 F: (859) 655-7553 Lexington 215 W Short St., Ste. 205 Lexington, KY 40507 P: (859) 253-3353 F: (859) 275-1115 Contact us.
1 Publizr