Mental Health Class Action: M.E. v. Bush
Class action on behalf of 45,000 children in state custody with unmet mental health needs.
Principal Attorneys
Steve Hanlon, Leo Rydzewski, Tracy Nichols, Louise Brais, Vanessa Sciarra, Dwayne Williams
Co-Counsel
Chris Zawisza, John Ratliff, Florida's Children First
Description
Settlement of what may be the largest child welfare class action in nation. The State agreed to undertake systemic reform of the delivery of mental health to children in the dependency (foster care) and delinquency (juvenile justice) systems.
Status
Settlement providing for significant systemic improvement approved by district court.
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Special Immigrant Juvenile Status Secured in Florida
Advocacy on behalf of unaccompanied alien children for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status which allows lawful permanent residency in the United States so long as a state court has exercised its dependency jurisdiction over the child due to the child having been abandoned, abused, or neglected.
Principal Attorneys
Leon Fresco
Co-Counsel
Cheryl Little, Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center
Description
Late in 2006, decision makers at the Miami District Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began denying Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) cases based upon policy considerations rather than legal reasons. Specifically, the Miami District Office began denying all SIJ cases arguing that: (1) children in immigration proceedings cannot be granted SIJ status without the specific consent of the attorney general; and that (2) the federal SIJ statute requires that children seeking SIJ status be "eligible for long-term foster care," which USCIS interpreted to mean did not include children in situations analogous to the exact situation of "long-term foster care." Legal arguments were submitted as to why each of these reasons for denial was invalid.
Status
The Administrative Appeals Office entered orders in four cases completely vindicating all of Holland & Knight's arguments and saving Special Immigrant Juvenile status in Florida.
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No Child Left Behind Parental Involvement Project
Study and report on parent involvement initiatives in six states and 18 school districts.
Principal Attorneys
Arthur Coleman, Amy Starzynski, Steven Winnick, Jonathan Furr, Scott Palmer, LaKeytria Felder
Co-Counsel
The Appleseed Foundation
Description
Evaluation of parent involvement initiatives in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, New Mexico, Texas and Washington through interviews and research with the goal of informing policymakers and assisting states and school districts with implementing effective parent involvement programs.
Status
"It Takes a Parent: Transforming Education in the Wake of the No Child Left Behind Act" released.
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International Child Abduction Cases
Federal litigation to secure family reunification of children abducted to the United States.
Co-Counsel
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Description
Attorneys reunify children abducted to the United States with their parents abroad through Hague Convention petitions in federal court.
Status
Numerous cases completed including Ruiz v. Tenorio, 392 F3d 1247 (11th Cir. 2004).
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Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act (S. 119)
Congressional advocacy for vulnerable children.
Description
The firm advocates with Congress for passage of this bill to protect unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children facing deportation.
Status
Bill passed by Senate in 109th Congress and pending in the House of Representatives.
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D.C. Youth Residential Facilities Regulations
Draft regulations to govern facilities housing children in the custody of the government.
Principal Attorneys
Tanja Castro, Leo Rydzewski, Curtis Sano, Bernard Smith
Description
Our lawyers took the lead in drafting regulations to provide for the health, safety and welfare of children housed in the District's facilities (group homes, shelters, runaway shelters and emergency care facilities). There were no existing regulations before we began.
Status
Regulations promulgated.
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Illinois Child Support Reform Project
Study and report regarding reform of child support collection system.
Principal Attorneys
Barbara Adams, James Carr, Victor Filippini, James Mueller, Robert Newman, Matthew Norton, Julie Tappendorf, Robert Vyverberg
Description
Multi-phased project which studied problems inherent in current collection system; presented information to legislature; drafted reform legislation; and represented individual clients in collection efforts. Firm public relations staff helped generate a media campaign to support reform efforts.
Status
Report released.
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