It Starts at Home: Building Strong Families Through Multidisciplinary Advocacy
Pauline, a 19-year-old in Los Angeles’ extended foster care program and a new mother, drew the unwanted attention of the Department of Children and Family Services. Terrified she might lose her baby and unsure of her rights, she turned to her attorney at Children’s Law Center of California (CLC).
Utilizing a unique multi-disciplinary model, CLC exclusively represents children and youth in the child welfare system. In Los Angeles, CLC’s clients number a mind-boggling 28,000, all of whom are subject to potentially life-altering decisions – up to and often including whether a child will be reunified with their family.
Launched in 1990, CLC has expanded its work beyond in-court representation to address a multitude of their clients’ needs – everything from mental health specialists to special education advocates and more.
“Our clients’ needs drive our work,” says CLC’s Executive Director Leslie Starr Heimov. “We focus on wrapping our clients and their families with the holistic advocacy and support they need to thrive.”
These efforts have promoted innovative projects and programs, including one focused on parenting youth like Pauline.
When CLC began its work with Pauline, the team learned the complaints that initiated the investigation resulted from retaliatory, harassing calls to the emergency hotline by a former partner – an all-too-common occurrence. CLC helped guide Pauline through the investigatory process, supporting her at every stage. Once it was all over – without a case ever being opened – Pauline’s CLC advocacy team helped her develop a co-parenting plan to avoid future issues.
“I got a lot of support from my CLC team, and I knew that whatever was going to happen, I could trust them,” Pauline said. “Even today, I know I can call them if anything comes up. I know my daughter is safe with them, and she’s going to be safe with me.”
Building on their current work for parenting youth in foster care, CLC is embarking on an ambitious new endeavor: a Family Advocacy and Support Center. This soon-to-launch program will build bridges into the community to support former clients and, in the long term, keep children safe and families together.
Children’s Law Center of California
Donate now!www.clccal.org
(323) 980-1538
Development Manager: Stephanie Talavera
Mission
Children’s Law Center of California (CLC) provides legal representation for children and youth impacted by abuse and neglect. We advocate for our clients by supporting families; fighting for reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health, and mental health wellness; and empowering and strengthening children, families, and their communities. Our informed approach to advocacy makes us a powerful voice in local, statewide, and national child welfare system reform.
Begin to Build a Relationship
We know you care about where your money goes and how it is used. Connect with this organization’s leadership in order to begin to build this important relationship. Your email will be sent directly to this organization’s director of development and/or Executive Director.
A couple of years ago, I was on the verge of being homeless. I was unable to work for health reasons and my lack of income was really hard on my family. That’s when I reached out to CLC. The CLC housing team went above and beyond. My housing peer advocate was a breath of fresh air. She helped me get $1,800 to cover one month of rent, and it allowed me to ease back into employment. I’ve aged out of care, but my peer advocate is still helpful and provides resources and support whenever I need help. CLC won’t abandon you.
Help Give Foster Youth Brighter Futures
As legal counsel for more than 20,000 children in the foster system in three counties, Children’s Law Center of California’s advocacy and multidisciplinary support model protects children and supports families. They provide housing assistance, mental health care case work, support for new parents, advocacy for those with developmental disabilities, and intensive casework for the most vulnerable.
In 2024, they lost nearly $5 million of state and federal funding and are in need of donor support to continue critical programs.
•$300,000: Continues their mental health program and their advocacy for those with developmental disabilities.
•$300,000: Protects their program (raised over the next two years) ensuring young people aging out of foster care have stable housing.
•$3,000: Provides a security deposit and move-in funds for one young adult and baby.
•$1,500: Helps a new mom with baby essentials and a stable start.
•$1,000: Buys birthday gifts for 50 children
•$500: Buys new clothing or school uniforms for 5 children
Key Supporters
Friends of CLC
American Business Bank
Benjy Grinberg
and Ellen Goldberg
California Community Foundation
Chay and Kim Lapin
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Dara and Conan Barker
In-N-Out Burger Foundation
Joseph and Jean Mandel
Neal Kaufman, MD, MPH
Pritzker Foster Care Initiative
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Reissa Foundation
Samuel and Helene
Soref Foundation
The Barry and Wendy
Meyer Foundation
The Durfee Foundation
W.M. Keck Foundation
Good+ Foundation
The Walter S. Johnson
Foundation
Matt Groening