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March 16, 2007

Apr. 6: Independence Day: Building a safety net for teens leaving foster care and corrections

 

 

2007 Oregon Child Advocacy Project Conference
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Can we build a safety net for teens
transitioning out of state programs?

For information about cost, CLE, and registration, go to the conference website or call (541) 346-3835.

The 2007 Oregon Child Advocacy Project conference, “Independence Day,” will present the best research, legal reforms, and financial resources available to build a safety net for teens leaving foster care, youth corrections, and special education programs. It takes place on Friday, April 6 at the law school, 1515 Agate Street in Eugene, Oregon.

“Imagine what it would be like for you — no family, no place to go. You’re eighteen and the system says ’Bye. You’re on your own,’ said project director Leslie Harris, a family law professor and expert on children and the law.
 
“It’s worse for teenagers coming out of corrections – some of them are even younger. The data on how many foster kids end up homeless or in trouble is awful.”

Speakers include experts on adult functioning of former foster youth, special education and transition to adulthood, multicultural youth, and girls in the juvenile justice system.

In addition to this annual conference, The Oregon Child Advocacy promotes judicial reform, and provides much-needed help for child advocacy lawyers. It was funded by a gift from Duncan Campbell ’73.

Each year, two or three law students are chosen as Campbell Child Advocacy Fellows. They receive stipends, conduct research and organize projects.

 “The legal system tells you to work at the end of the spectrum historically,” Duncan Campbell said, “I’m trying to take it to the earlier stages where they create rights for children and the community gives them resources.”
 

-Eliza Schmidkunz

 

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