CLC  testified at the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget hearing for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, expressing concern over a $2.1 million cut to the special education budget.

CLC  testified at the Department of Mental Health Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, commending the agency for its tough, but smart budget choices that largely protect key services for children.

CLC  testified at the CFSA Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget hearing that the agency's proposed cuts will hurt children and cost the District money in the long run.  CLC also identified $5.9 - $25.5 million in unaccounted for federal dollars that could restore these cuts.

CLC  testified at the DCPS Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, highlighting the importance of protecting services for special education and at-risk students.

CLC  testified expressing concerns that the definition of education neglect in the bill as drafted was problematic.  Chairman Wells indicated that this key concern would be addressed and the legislation amended.

CLC testified in strong support of the Families Together Amendment Act of 2010, which will allow CFSA to respond to allegations of abuse or neglect differently, depending on each situation.

CLC testified in a U.S. Senate hearing on foster care and family services in DC, highlighting the need for CFSA to address deeply rooted problems and ways in which better federal agency guidelines can help the District to improve.

In the DCPS Oversight Hearing, CLC supported the goal of moving children with special education needs to an inclusive environment, but is concerned that necessary supportive services are not in place.

CLC calls for change to combat deeply rooted problems in DC's foster care system in its testimony at the Performance Oversight Hearing of the Child and Family Services Agency.

In its testimony at the Performance Oversight Hearing of the DC Department of Mental Health, CLC challenged DMH to address the lack of appropriate mental health services for the city's children.

CLC testified at the Performance Oversight Hearing of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, commenting on its special education placement process, Early Intervention program and school stability for foster children.

CLC testified at the Performance Oversight Hearing of the Department of Health Care Finance, focusing  on three key priorities to make Medicaid more effective and efficient for DC's children.

CLC testified in support of extending adoption and guardianship subsidies until youth turn 21.  CLC has long advocated for this change, which will help scores of children to leave foster care.

CLC testified before the Committee on Human Services on the importance of supporting older teens in foster care, including those who will age out of the system.

CLC submitted comments to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education regarding proposed regulations requiring all public and public charter schools to create codes of conduct. CLC recommended steps to minimize suspensions and expulsions, as well as harmful restraints.

As many as 50 percent of foster children are victims of identity theft. CLC testifies in support of bill to require CFSA to obtain credit reports of older youth in foster care.

CLC testified before the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development in support of the Tenant Access to Justice Reform Act of 2009. This bill will give tenants access to landlord-tenant court, allowing them to sue when they are forced to live in unsafe and unhealthy housing conditions, such as mold, lead paint and rodent and insect infestations, ultimately leading to healthier children.

OSSE proposed revised regulations governing the special education responsibilities of charter schools and the school placement of children with disabilities enrolled in charter schools and special education dispute resolution procedures and timelines.

CLC testified at a DC Council hearing regarding the Information Sharing to Improve Services for Children & Families Act. This bill would allow a large number of people to have access to the otherwise confidential records of children involved with the court system. CLC believes this bill would be detrimental to children and families and urged the Council not to pass the legislation.

OSSE promulgated regulations and policies regarding Early Intervention Services in the District. CLC testified at the hearing and commended OSSE for issuing these needed policies and offered suggestions for improvement.