The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to eliminate the use of chemical spray in all county juvenile probation facilities by December 2019.
For the past two years, CDF-CA has been working with advocates across the state to implement both statewide and local prohibitions against the traumatic, harmful and inhumane use of chemical spray against our incarcerated young people. The February vote brings LA County in line with 35 other states and four other California counties who already ban chemical spray in their facilities. The harmful nature of chemical spray makes its use barbaric and counterproductive to the rehabilitative goals of the juvenile justice system.
Details on the degrading use of chemical spray in LA County (including the spraying of a youth engaged in self-harming behavior) can be found in a recent investigative report by the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General. CDF-CA lauds the bold actions of the LA County Board of Supervisors and looks forward to working with the Los Angeles Probation Department and other stakeholders to implement the mandated ban in a way that protects the safety of both youth and staff.
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Children’s Defense Fund–California Hires Patricia Soung to Lead Juvenile Justice Work
LOS ANGELES, CA – Children's Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA) announced Thursday that Patricia Soung has joined the organization as its new Senior Staff Attorney and Senior Policy Associate. Patricia, who has more than 10 years of juvenile justice and youth organizing experience, will lead CDF-CA's youth justice policy team and advance its research, legislative, organizing and community-based work. She will start on January 4. "We are extremely excited to have Patricia join the Children's Defense Fund-California," said Executive Director Alex Johnson. "Her experience, knowledge and passion for social and juvenile justice issues will elevate our work to the next level as we advocate for innovative local and statewide solutions to keep youth out of the system, and ensure fair and positive treatment for incarcerated youth." Patricia is also excited to join CDF-CA team of 16 staff dedicated to protecting and investing in children. [...]
24th Annual Beat the Odds Awards
Five Los Angeles high school students were recognized at Children’s Defense Fund – California’s 25th annual Beat the Odds® Awards gala on Dec.
Marian Wright Edelman Headlines Bay Area Events
On December 1, Children’s Defense Fund Founder and President Marian Wright Edelman connected with child advocates throughout the Bay Area.
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Long Beach youth were celebrated for their commitment to social justice, leadership and valuable contributions in advancing CDF-CA’s mission and improving conditions in their community and schools at the Action Scholars Leadership Awards ceremony on October 28th in Long Beach.
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ConnectWithRespect Youth Action
Long Beach student leaders and YO!LB members took selfies with their favorite teachers and school staff last week to highlight the role that positive and respectful relationships play in building supportive schools.