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Council on Children

Overview

The Council on Children is comprised of representatives of all the City Bar committees dealing with children, education, family, family court, juvenile justice, and the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Also sitting on the Council are representatives of the child welfare, juvenile justice and foster care communities, including attorneys representing parents and children. Recent topics addressed by the Committee include implementation of New York’s Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP), issues impacting children’s length of stay in foster care, delays in Family Court, the need for more Family Court Judges, and the Safe Harbor Act.
Chairs
- Lauren A. Shapiro
  Email Lauren A. Shapiro
Reports
- Support for Amendments to the Administration of the Statewide Register of Child Abuse (June 21, 2019)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Welfare
- Report in Support of the Child-Parent Security Act - 2020 NYS Executive Budget (March 15, 2019)
  
  Author(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Family Court & Family Law Committee Matrimonial Law Committee Sex & Law Committee Health Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Surrogacy Budget - NYS Executive
- Ensuring Right to Counsel For Minors Facing Removal Proceedings: Testimony (December 19, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Family Court & Family Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Social Welfare Law Committee Civil Right to Counsel, Task Force on
  
  Subject Area(s): Right to Counsel Children in Removal Proceedings
- Comments on Proposed DHS Rulemaking re: Flores Settlement (November 06, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Family Court & Family Law Committee International Human Rights Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Immigration Reform Detention of Noncitizens
- Statement Opposing Proposed Changes to Broaden "Public Charge" Rule (October 24, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Social Welfare Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Bioethical Issues Committee Civil Rights Committee Children, Council on Domestic Violence Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Federal Courts Committee Health Law Committee Housing Court Committee Housing & Urban Development Committee Labor & Employment Committee Legal Problems of the Aging Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Mental Health Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Sex & Law Committee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee European Affairs Committee Children & the Law Committee International Human Rights Committee United Nations Committee Disability Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Welfare Immigration Reform
- Federal Immigration Enforcement in NYS Courthouses: Recommendations (July 11, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Civil Court Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Domestic Violence Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Judicial Administration, Council on Juvenile Justice Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee Women in the Courts Task Force
  
  Subject Area(s): Access to Justice for Immigrant Detainees Immigration Reform
- Criminal Prosecution, Separation, and Detention of Families Seeking Asylum (July 06, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Bioethical Issues Committee Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Family Court & Family Law Committee Health Law Committee International Human Rights Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Immigration
- Mandatory Attendance in the NYS Parent Education & Awareness Program (March 09, 2018)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Parent Education Children and Families
- Statement on Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility (March 27, 2017)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Criminal Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Criminal Justice, Community Relations & Civil Rights Civil Rights Committee Mass Incarceration, Task Force on Juvenile Justice Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Raising the Age Criminal Justice
- Report in Support of the "BRIDGE" Act (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act) (January 30, 2017)
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Children, Council on Children & the Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): Immigration Immigration Reform
- Amicus Brief on Estrellita v. Jennifer (New York Court of Appeals) (March 29, 2016)
  
  Author(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Custody Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights
- Amicus Brief on Brooke v. Elizabeth (New York Court of Appeals) (March 28, 2016)
  
  Author(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Custody Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights
- Comments to Federal Agencies Regarding Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program's Suspension And Termination Policies (June 01, 2015)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Adoption subsidies
- Report on 2015-16 Executive Budget Proposal regarding Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility (March 12, 2015)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Civil Rights Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Law Committee Children, Council on Family Court & Family Law Committee Criminal Justice, Community Relations & Civil Rights
  
  Subject Area(s): Raising the Age Criminal Justice
- 2013 Policy Recommendations for New York City's Next Mayor (May 01, 2013)
  
  Author(s): Animal Law Committee Banking Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Children, Council on Civil Court Committee Civil Rights Committee Consumer Affairs Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Advocacy Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Criminal Law Committee Disability Law Committee Domestic Violence Committee Drugs & the Law Committee Education & the Law Committee Environmental Law Committee Housing & Urban Development Committee Monday Night Law/Moderate Means Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Matrimonial Law Committee New York City Affairs Committee Real Property Law Committee Sex & Law Committee Social Welfare Law Committee Transportation Committee United Nations Committee
  
  Subject Area(s): NYC Policy Recommendations Transition Memo
- Comments on the Office of Court Administration's Proposal Regarding Access to Forensic Evaluation Reports in Child Custody and Visitation Cases (March 01, 2013)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Custody & Visitation
- Testimony Before the New York State Bar Association Task Force on the Family Court on increasing the number of New York Family Court Judges in order to reduce the length of time a child is in foster care (January 11, 2012)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Family Court Judges
- Report on A.7598/S.5456 regarding the notice of indicated reports of child maltreatment and changes of placement in child protective and voluntary foster care (June 01, 2011)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Protective Placement/Foster Care
- Letter to Governor Cuomo concerning the State Budget provisions related to the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (March 01, 2011)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Budget - NYS Executive
- Letter to Governor Cuomo highlighting important issues affecting children to be considered during his term (January 01, 2011)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Children Transition Memo
- Report on A.11273-A/S.7833-A concerning the adjudicating of a child (Person in Need of Supervision) to undergo alcohol and drug detoxification (June 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
- Report on A.8524/S.3868-A which permit the restoration of parental rights in certain limited circumstances after a termination of parental rights has previously been ordered by the family court (May 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Parental Rights
- Report on A.9523-B/S.6361-B concerning youth drug and alcohol detoxification (April 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
- Report on A.8957-A/S.5968-A which would increase the number of Family Court Judges (April 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Family Court Judges
- Letter to Governor Paterson regarding the provisions in Article 7 budget legislation which impacts children and families (April 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Children
- Dignity for All Students Act (March 16, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Sex & Law Committee Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Harassment Education
- Letter regarding A.8957, which would increase the number of Family Court judges (January 01, 2010)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Family Court Judges
- Letter to the NYS Office of Children & Family Services regarding the Standards for the Provision of Adolescent Services for Foster Care Youth (December 01, 2009)
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Foster Care
- Letter urging an increase in the number of Family Court judges in New York City and New York State (June 01, 2009)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Family Court Judges
- Report on S.5461/A.7805 which would replace the term "Law Guardian" with "attorney for the child" (Reissued March 2010) (June 01, 2009)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Law Guardians
- Kinship Guardianship Assistance Law for New York (March 01, 2009)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Kinship Guardianship
- Letter to the ABA Section on Litigation commenting on the draft Model Act Governing Representation of Children in Abuse and Neglect Proceedings (March 01, 2009)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
- Statement to the Obama Administration's transition team regarding services for at-risk children and families (December 01, 2008)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Children Transition Memo
- Letter to Governor Patterson regarding financial reductions to the State's budget (August 01, 2008)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Welfare
- Letter to the ABA in support of the ABA Litigation Section's opposition to the Uniform Representation of Children in Abuse, Neglect and Custody Proceedings Act proposed by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) (February 01, 2008)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Client
- The Permanency Legislation of 2005: An Unfunded Mandate - Critical Resource Needs for New York City's Children and Families (December 01, 2007)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Foster Care
- Letter to Governor Spitzer highlighting issues that should be given priority by the administration including children, families, family court and juvenile justice (March 01, 2007)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Children Transition Memo
- Letter to Congress urging the opposition of a final Conference Report that cuts services to children who rely on Medicaid for health care coverage (December 01, 2005)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Health Care
- Letter to Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the NYS Assembly, Regarding the New York City Administration for Children's Services Budget (May 01, 2003)
  
  Author(s): Children, Council on
  
  Subject Area(s): Child Welfare Budget - NYS Executive
News & Media
- NYS Legislative Agenda: Enact the Child-Parent Security Act (January 07, 2020)
- 2019 New York State Legislative Session Recap Chart (December 20, 2019)
- NYCBA Announces 2019 Awardees for Excellence in Service to Family Court (New York Law Journal) (May 14, 2019)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2019 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Recipients (May 13, 2019)
- Statement on New Court Directive Requiring Judicial Warrants for ICE Arrests in Courthouses (April 17, 2019)
- Immigrants Avoiding State Courts, Legal Services Due to ICE Presence, Report Says (New York Law Journal) (April 10, 2019)
- City Bar Statement on New Report Detailing the Impact of ICE Courthouse Operations in New York (April 10, 2019)
- 2019 New York State Budget Recap (April 08, 2019)
- Statement on the Child-Parent Security Act (February 07, 2019)
- Reimagining Domestic Violence Services (January 17, 2019)
- Pilots, Plans, & Promises: Is Desegregation Possible in New York City’s Schools? (November 08, 2018)
- NYC Bar Association makes plea to Chief Judge DiFiore over ICE arrests in the courts (Brooklyn Daily Eagle) (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Calls on NY Chief Judge to Issue New Rules on ICE Courthouse Arrests (New York Law Journal) (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Issues Recommendations in Response to ICE Arrests in New York State Courthouses (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Calls on Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to End Criminal Prosecution, Separation, and Detention of Families Seeking Asylum (July 06, 2018)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2018 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 23, 2018)
- New York Expands Funding Access for Close Kin Who Become a Child's Legal Guardian (The Chronicle of Social Change) (December 06, 2017)
- 2017 McDonald Awards (New York Law Journal) (May 25, 2017)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2017 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 16, 2017)
- Statement of City Bar President John S. Kiernan on “Raising the Age” in Final New York State Budget (April 10, 2017)
- 2017 NYS Legislative Agenda: Advance criminal justice reform and policies that will reduce mass incarceration (March 02, 2017)
- The City Bar’s Response to the New Administration (February 15, 2017)
- Recent Decision: Visitation Rights Ruling Expands Definition of 'Parent' in New York (August 30, 2016)
- City Bar Announces 2016 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 12, 2016)
- Amicus Briefs in Child Custody Cases (April 04, 2016)
- City Bar Releases 2016 State Legislative Agenda (February 16, 2016)
- New York City Bar Announces 2015 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 06, 2015)
- New York City Bar Announces 2014 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 29, 2014)
- New York City Bar Announces 2013 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 26, 2013)
- Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Family Court (September 25, 2012)
- 2012–2013 New York State Budget (April 06, 2012)
- Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery - Samuel W. Seymour (February 24, 2012)
- New York City Bar Association Announces the 2011 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 13, 2011)
- Dignity for All Students Act Signed Into Law (September 08, 2010)
Of Interest

Policy Recommendations for New York City's Next Mayor (PDF)

Vacating Prostitution-Related Convictions for Victims of Sex Trafficking, March 29, 2012 (Podcast) (Event Description)

Video: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Family Court

Council on Children

The Council on Children is comprised of representatives of all the City Bar committees dealing with children, education, family, family court, juvenile justice, and the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth. Also sitting on the Council are representatives of the child welfare, juvenile justice and foster care communities, including attorneys representing parents and children. Recent topics addressed by the Committee include implementation of New York’s Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP), issues impacting children’s length of stay in foster care, delays in Family Court, the need for more Family Court Judges, and the Safe Harbor Act.

mayoral-campaign-cover 125x165
Policy Recommendations for New York City's Next Mayor (PDF)

Vacating Prostitution-Related Convictions for Victims of Sex Trafficking, March 29, 2012 (Podcast) (Event Description)

Video: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Family Court

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Council on Children

Council on Children

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