According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the child abuse that occurs during one year in the U.S. will cost the nation $124 billion over the course of the child abuse victims’ lifetimes. These costs include special education services, medical needs, productivity losses, and criminal justice administration. The child abuse costs per victim are higher than the costs for individuals who suffer strokes or acquire Type 2 diabetes. The CDC report recommends focusing efforts on prevention of child abuse, similar to prevention strategies used to combat other health problems. Click here to read more.

On January 30th, members of California Youth Connection, made up of current and former foster youth, converged in Sacramento to advocate for their rights and meet with state legislators. This year’s Day at the Capitol focused on foster youth transition to adulthood. The youth spent the day directly representing themselves rather than having their interests represented by others. In recent years, Day at the Capitol has resulted in legislative successes, such as passage of AB 12 (extended foster care support to 21 years of age) and AB 1393 (required state colleges to prioritize on-campus housing for current and former foster youth). To read more about the 2012 Day at the Capitol, click here.

Judge Teresa Guerrero-Daley, of Santa Clara Superior Court, discusses the benefits of having open courts, including demystifying the closed courts and increasing transparency while restricting the ways in which these hearings can be reported. The comfort and security of the child involved is also taken into consideration. She suggests this can all be accomplished with the help of the judge’s discretion and through an ethical perspective. To watch this interview with Judge Guerrero-Daley, click here.