Community Programs

In recent years, MCLC has sponsored different programs designed to improve the quality of life for foster children.

Calendar Year 2011

During 2011, MCLC undertook several new programs and continued its foster and adoptive parent forums. In addition, we maintained our regular caseload, which, on average, is 2,000 open neglect and delinquency petitions, as well as AWOLP (absent without legal permission) cases.

Foster Care and Adoption Forums. MCLC held foster and adoptive parent recruitment programs in Lincoln Park and Detroit. As a result of these workshops, at least 4 individuals/couples have undertaken the process to become registered as foster/adoptive parents. Our forums continue to have community and church support and participation. In February 2012, the Executive Director will be making a presentation at the Michigan Exchange Club Education Conference promoting the expansion of this program.

Infant Mental Health Program. In September and October, Laura Kellett planned and MCLC sponsored a very successful two part program on “Advocating for the Mental Health Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Child Welfare”. Dr. Ann Stacks and Carla Barron from the Infant Mental Health program at the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute were the co-presenters.

Wayne County Circuit Court's Reunification Day and Adoption Day programs. As in the past, MCLC was a co-sponsor for these events, providing gift certificates and books to designated families and contributing to the program expenses. At both celebrations, MCLC children were recognized.

Fantasyland. MCLC is sponsoring the attendance of several groups of foster children at this holiday program. Fantasyland is a Lincoln Park sponsored activity in which a municipal building is converted into a miniature North Pole, complete with Santa Claus.

Calendar Year 2010

During 2010, MCLC undertook several new programs and continued its foster and adoptive parent forums in addition to maintaining its regular caseload.

Mediation. Our attorneys are involved in the State sponsored mediation program, which is an effort to resolve a number of neglect cases at an early stage in the proceedings.

Baby Court. MCLC began representing infants in the Baby Court Pilot Program. This undertaking is designed to provide intensive remedial services to parents, who have no previous child protection services history, thereby giving them the opportunity to reunite with their infant children at a very early stage in the case. Three of our attorneys, Laura Kellett, Robert Santiago and Michael Rintz are directly involved in this effort.

Foster and adoptive parent forums. MCLC continued and expanded this recruitment program. In 2010, we held forums in Lincoln Park, Grosse Pointe, Canton and Detroit. As a result of these workshops, we know that at least 12 individuals/couples have undertaken the process to become registered as foster/adoptive parents. Because of the longevity and success of this program, individuals, who attended previous programs and subsequently became foster and/or adoptive parents, now serve as panelists. Every one of our forums had community and/or church support and participation.

Skadden Fellowship Program. Aisa Villarosa Berg, then a third year law student and law clerk with MCLC, competed with third year law students from across the country for a Skadden Fellowship and was one of only forty applicants who received one. Aisa is the first Wayne State law student to be awarded this fellowship. Aisa is now an attorney with MCLC and will spend the next two years working on a project which will provide legal and community assistance to youth who have been adjudicated delinquent in the Wayne County Juvenile Courts.

April-May 2009 – Forums on Foster Parenting and Adoption

On April 23, 2009, MCLC held its fourth program in Lincoln Park in cooperation with the Downriver Exchange Clubs. As a result of this forum, we believe several couples took the first steps to becoming licensed foster parents. Two foster parents, who originally attended the 2007 forum in Lincoln Park, joined Wayne County Juvenile Court Judge Jerome C. Cavanagh and several foster parent licensing and adoption specialist as panelists.

On April 30, 2009, we held our second program in Grosse Pointe. Wayne County Juvenile Court Judge Frank Szymanski and Referee Anthony Crutchfield were among the speakers. As a result of this forum, we believe another two couples will be pursuing licensing to become foster parents. In addition, we have made contact with organizations from Macomb County who wish to replicate this program in their communities.

On May 13, 2009, the Center held its first forum in Northville. Presiding Judge Leslie Kim Smith of the Wayne County Juvenile Court, along with Judge Mark Slavens and Referee Kathleen Svoboda, participated as panelists in this program. Several attendees expressed interest in becoming licensed foster parents.

On May 19, 2009, MCLC held its first forum in Detroit in co-sponsorship with the Second Ebenezer Church. Its Pastor, Bishop Edgar L. Vann, II, joined Wayne County Juvenile Court Judge Lynn Pierce and Referee Kelly Ramsey as panelists. Here again, a number of attendees indicated an interest in pursuing the licensing process to become foster parents.

As in the past, these programs have been held in April and/or May to coincide with Child Abuse Prevention Month and Foster Care Month, respectively. We believe that over 20 individuals and couples have become licensed foster parents as a result of these forums.

November 18, 2008 – Forum on Foster Parenting and Adoption

In an effort to expand the base of potential foster and adoptive parents, MCLC held its first forum in the Grosse Pointe community. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan and Wayne County Chief Judge William Giovan joined several foster and adoption workers, adoptive parents and adopted children in stating the need for more caring and loving homes for foster children. The highlight of this program was the words of an 8-year-old adopted child, who said "I would like to find my birth parents and take them to lunch. I need to say 'thank you'". At this event, it was reported that at least 10 individuals and families had now undertaken to become licensed foster parents.

April 17, 2008 – Forum on Foster Parenting and Adoption

This program, also held in Lincoln Park, was the second in what would become a continuing series of programs designed to interest individuals and couples in becoming foster or adoptive parents. It was reported that to date at least six individuals and families had pursued licensing as foster parents as a result of the April 2007 event. Wayne County Circuit Judge Mary Beth Kelly and Vista Maria President and CEO Cameron D. Hosner joined youth specialists, foster and adoptive parents and adopted children, in presenting the need for more foster and adoptive homes. Once again, the Downriver Exchange Clubs co-sponsored this program.

April 17, 2007 – Foster Parenting and Adoption: A New Beginning for Abused and Neglected Children

Beginning with this program, MCLC launched a new initiative. Because of the critical shortage of licensed foster homes for children who had been abused and neglected, we decided to hold forums, the purpose of which was to provide information to individuals and couples who were thinking about becoming foster and/or adoptive parents.

This program which was held in Lincoln Park and co-sponsored by the Downriver Exchange Clubs, included as panelists, Justice Maura Corrigan, along with foster care workers, adoptive specialists, foster and adoptive parents and foster and adopted children. The underlying purpose of this forum was to address the current shortage of licensed foster homes and the large number of children awaiting adoption. "The forum is being held because the Children's Law Center believes that safe, stable and loving foster care placements are a critical piece in providing new beginnings and opportunities for abused and neglected children," said Fred Gruber, Director of the Michigan Children's Law Center.

April 20, 2006 – Child Abuse Forum

In cooperation with the Lincoln Park Exchange Club, MCLC held a forum to provide an understanding of how allegations of child abuse or neglect are processed from the reporting stage to the various court proceedings. The panel of presenters included Judge Judy Hartsfield from the Juvenile Division of the Wayne Circuit Court, the Division Chief of the Children and Youth Services Division of the Attorney General's office and the Lieutenant from the Lincoln Park Police Department, who is responsible for investigating complaints of child abuse and neglect.

June 23, 2005 – Sports Outing

MCLC, in conjunction with Total Sports Complex in Wixom, Michigan, held a sports outing for approximately 200 foster children, along with their case workers and other support staff. During the day, these children participated in several sports, games and recreational activities, including kick ball, dodge ball, Frisbee golf, capture the flag, team handball, relay races and football throw. One youth specialist said, "The kids really enjoyed the outing. The activities were adventurous, energizing and structured". Another worker stated that the "Sports Outing was a great event for the kids".