The winds in DC are a bit smoky today, but it's the perfect day to stay inside and catch up on our latest Winds of Change: https://ow.ly/n0vX50ZoYCl Read about the work we're doing to improve the lives of DC children and families and how you can help. Click on the link in our comments to sign up.

Despite a difficult budget year, the @councilofdc.bsky.social filled several major budget gaps for the coming year that will ensure our city can continue to meet the needs of children and families — wins worth recognizing and protecting. (1/3)

For the first time, we have SBBH providers in over three quarters of schools. If we don’t restore the proposed 22% funding cut for FY27, we’ll be throwing this progress away – and students will be left without the services they need. @chmnmendelson.bsky.social

Thank you to @robertwhitedc.bsky.social and @cmfrumin.bsky.social for securing enough resources in the FY27 budget across DHS and DCHA to ensure families w vouchers stay housed + help 442 more DC families access housing stability next year.

Thank you @chmnmendelson.bsky.social and the entire @councilofdc.bsky.social for supporting DC’s Access to Justice Initiative! It is a smart investment that will improve the lives of children and families across the District.

Thank you to the Councilmembers who voted for #AccessToJustice as a top budget priority! Far too many DC residents will need legal help navigating the changes ahead. @chmnmendelson.bsky.social @anitabondsdc.bsky.social @robertwhitedc.bsky.social @cmchenderson.bsky.social @brianneknadeau.bsky.social

New @citycastdc.bsky.social story shows what’s at stake if cuts to youth behav health aren’t reversed. We’re so grateful for @cmchenderson.bsky.social's work to minimize disruption to care – yet we know there still won’t be enough $ to ensure access at all schools. dc.citycast.fm/news/dc-budg...

As D.C. Weighs Budget Cuts, Families Fear Loss of Youth Mental Health Support - City Cast DC

Under the proposed budget, D.C.'s sole mental health crisis team for kids would be shuttered — part of a broader slate of cuts that would also phase out the city’s contracts with a network of communit...

dc.citycast.fm

We appreciate the work the Cmtee on Human Services+Housing did to fund 38 NEW housing vouchers for families exiting RRH in the FY27 budget. While an important step, we agree w the Cmtees that it is only a fraction of what is needed to prevent DC children from experiencing eviction and homelessness.

Special thanks to @cmfrumin.bsky.social for preserving DC’s truancy pilot! In its first 2 years, the program supported hundreds of students and we are seeing results. 71% of students in the program last year improved their attendance and were not truant this year!

Excited Baby Cheers 'LET'S GOOOOOOO!' at Game

ALT: Excited Baby Cheers 'LET'S GOOOOOOO!' at Game

static.klipy.com

👏🏿👏🏻👏🏽 Thank you @cmzparker5.bsky.social for securing funding for the SOUL Act in the FY27 budget! As you said today – this is a huge win. We look forward to young people having this new permanency option available to them.

“This is a full circle moment… You all have been at the table for a long time, brainstorming, writing, giving feedback. You were there as we introduced the bill, you testified and advocated for it, and now you’re here to fund it.” TY @cmzparker5.bsky.social for your steadfast advocacy for SOUL.

DC's #AccessToJustice Initiative faces an 86% cut in the proposed FY27 budget. Last year, these funds helped us reach 1000's of children and families, including Danny. With our support, Danny has an IEP that meets his needs, and his mom credits our work in building confidence for her own advocacy.

New: Bowser's budget includes big cuts/major changes to mental health services in schools. Educators, parents and advocates are sounding the alarm, fearing the loss of the city's only mobile crisis response unit and other huge shifts impacting school clinicians: wamu.org/story/26/05/...

Mayor Bowser's budget proposes sweeping changes to mental health services in D.C. schools, raising concerns

Bowser wants to bring school behavioral health services under a city agency to reduce costs. But many fear the disruptions will hurt students and overwhelm teachers.

wamu.org

NEW: @alexkoma.bsky.social dives into DBH’s plan to move school-based behavioral health & youth crisis response in-house – w/o the staffing or budget to do so effectively. Our policy attorney Leah Castelaz sums it up: “We are staring down the barrel of major disruption.” @chmnmendelson.bsky.social

WAMU 88.5@wamu.org · 3mo ago

D.C.'s mental health services for students could massively change under Mayor Muriel Bowser's budget proposal. But educators and advocates say her plans could rob students of vital resources.

Yesterday we had a rare triple-threat panel at the CFSA budget oversight hearing📝🎤. Children's Law Center represents about half of the children currently in foster care — so we know how important it is that the key programs serving these youth are adequately funded. @cmzparker5.bsky.social

Last week, we delivered 1,000 postcards from DC residents to the Wilson Building to remind Council that TANF is still a lifeline. Despite the program’s proven role in reducing hardship & supporting well-being, DC lawmakers approved TANF cuts. Learn more: loom.ly/8RquEYE

We joined 100s of community members & legal org leaders to share why #AccesstoJustice matters. We urge Councilmember Brooke Pinto and the entire DC Council to fully fund the Initiative and protect legal services in the District. #dcciviljustice Read our testimony: https://ow.ly/xh7q50YVPVB

Children’s Law Center is proud to co-sponsor candidate forums next week with the Council for Court Excellence and dozens of partner organizations. Join us to hear where the mayoral and congressional candidates stand on public safety, justice and DC’s future. RSVP here: https://ow.ly/Q2QG50YP7B5

NEW: Parents, teachers, school leaders & community members call on DC leaders to preserve access to school-based behavioral health & youth crisis response services. The message is clear: We fear our children are going to fall through the cracks of DBH’s plan. childrenslawcenter.org/FY27Letter

Marea. Dayar. Princess. Justice. These are just four of the dozens of former and current foster youth who are paving a new legal pathway to help others exit care into permanency. They worked to develop the SOUL Act over more than two years – and are now advocating to get it past the finish line.

DC lawmakers should reverse the cuts to TANF to avoid pushing children deeper into poverty and hardship. Our latest report spotlights insights from mothers who have participated in TANF. dcfpi.org/all/punitive...

Punitive TANF Policies Will Push DC Families with Children Deeper Into Hardship | DC Fiscal Policy Institute

This report draws on participants’ voices and lived experiences to analyze the efficacy of DC’s TANF program and highlight the barriers that limit pathways to upward mobility

dcfpi.org

More young people in DC are leaving foster care with stable housing thanks to recent changes, but delays are still putting some youth at risk of homelessness. @streetsensedc.bsky.social shines a light on why getting foster youth connected to FUP vouchers * quickly* matters. https://ow.ly/CITH50YH73P

Street Sense Media: After reforms to D.C.'s foster youth voucher process, more people leave care for stable housing - Children’s Law Center

Katie Doran from Street Sense Media reports on the availability and utilization of Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers by youth aging out of foster

ow.ly

Passionate about safe, healthy housing a reality for all DC children and families? Children’s Law Center is #hiring a Policy Attorney/Analyst to advance our Healthy Housing portfolio—working with stakeholders across DC to drive systems change. #Apply today: https://ow.ly/jzPm50YCWe1

Big thanks to @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social for the opportunity to testify alongside partners like Legal Aid DC, in support of the DC Water bills package.

30 years. 60,000+ children and families. One unwavering mission. Learn about the three pillars that drive our fight to ensure every DC child has a strong foundation of family, health and education. Meet a few of the children at the heart of our work: https://youtu.be/56ceW_PMGEc?si=vSP82v8JOa22bJaA

Families Together Director, Jabeen Adawi, loves to read Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds with her kiddos. She shares: “This book shows bravery and amazing problem solving (by Jasper the rabbit AND the carrots!)” #CLCFavBooks 🎒✨

We are #hiring a Bilingual Community Paralegal to provide critical support in our brief service work, along with community and client outreach. This position is designed to advance our mission of providing high-quality legal services to children and families in DC. https://ow.ly/UCfU50YvXIb

We continue to push for systemic fixes within OSSE as students w/ disabilities miss school, wait hours for buses or are stranded w/o transportation. Parents & advocates share ongoing concerns about the little progress that’s been made in WTOP News' piece: https://ow.ly/ubuK50Ytz4l

This past week, we were thrilled to attend the @copaafape.bsky.social annual conference. Our team learned about the latest developments in special education law and strategies to strengthen advocacy for students with disabilities.

For D.C. families experiencing homelessness, the Rapid Rehousing program can be a shot at stability. But some participants say they exit without anywhere to live, once again. https://bit.ly/3MFv3CP