Also at the Harvard-ABA Conference, Casey Family Programs President William C. Bell emphasized the importance of building a community around children in need:

"But think of the additional value we can bring to this process and to children when we think in the context of building a community around children; a community that knows them and that has a vested interest in meeting their most critical needs. How many people might play a significant role in the lives of vulnerable children, but are never fully engaged within the legal process? Extended family; caseworkers, birth parents and teachers. Now think of the value to a child and to their legal process if the attorney, the CASA, and/or the guardian ad litem could work in tandem with this community of support. Think of the value of this 'community,' this 'conference' of expertise and human commitment could add to the life of a child in need."

Nothing About them without Them

But think of the additional value we can bring to this process and to children when we think in the context of building a community around children; a community that knows them and that has a vested interest in meeting their most critical needs.

How many people might play a significant role in the lives of vulnerable children, but are never be fully engaged within the legal process?Extended family; caseworkers, birth parents, and teachers.

Now think of the value to a child and to their legal process if the attorney, the CASA, and/or the guardian ad litem could work in tandem with this community of support. Think of the value of this "community," this "conference" of expertise and human commitment could add to the life of a child in need.

"Nothing about them without them." By bringing together the "community" who knows this child, we give broader voice to their lives, and their needs and broaden the scope of possibility for their future.

"A standard of our own." Would we not want the most committed, comprehensive support team - both legal and personal - for our children under these circumstances?

This program and panel discussion today is a powerful example of just that -- bringing together legal, child welfare and foster care alumni and advocates to create a meaningful dialogue around the challenges facing youth aging out of our system, and how we can better serve them, both within the context of our family courts, and in their communities.