MoForever Alumni News - Summer 2018

14 | MoForever “Only 27 percent of foster kids graduate high school on time and one third of one percent graduate college. A significant percentage of foster kids go to prison, and many end up homeless. Children move 12 to 15 times, and sometimes more, over the course of time in the foster care system,” said Randy. He is adamant that stakeholders will make the changes children deserve from this system. He cites a positive track record through the Center’s appellate advocacy and its work with the legislature as proof points. Randy began his pro bono appellate work on behalf of the Children’s Law Center while at MoFo, representing the Center twice in front of the Colorado Supreme Court: once submitting an amicus brief and again making oral arguments in an effort to obtain fundamental constitutional rights for children in foster care that are not currently recognized in Colorado. These issues are still being worked on today. On a day-to-day basis, the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center focuses on its young clients to help them navigate the complex legal system. The child advocacy programs are impressive and extensive and define the Center’s work: representation for children who have experienced domestic violence; representation for caregivers who have taken in children who have experienced trauma or abuse; young adult advocacy for youth who have experienced the foster care system; education and positive disciplinary action assistance for school-age kids; and the newest program, Catalyze for Kids, which focuses on driving systemic change for a child welfare system that is not working for kids. There is also a yoga and gardening program to teach mindfulness and coping skills for trauma-affected kids and the adults who work with them. The Center’s largest case volume is for kids who have experienced domestic violence, abuse, or neglect. The Center’s stable of 50 (and growing) pro bono lawyers become guardians ad litem to give children a voice and put their best interests before a judge. The Center also represents the relatives of children placed into care who seek legal authority to provide for the child’s health care, address therapeutic needs, or even enroll them in school—but only after a rigorous vetting process through ALUMN I UPDAT ES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS, THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHILDREN’S LAW CENTER FOCUSES ON ITS YOUNG CLIENTS TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX LEGAL SYSTEM.