Children's Law Center

For D.C. families experiencing homelessness, the Rapid Rehousing program can be a shot at stability. But some participants say they exit without anywhere to live, once again.

https://bit.ly/3MFv3CP

Street Sense Media: When the housing subsidy ends, what’s next for Rapid Rehousing participants? - Children’s Law Center Donte Kirby from Street Sense Media covers the ongoing concerns with DC's Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program and how it impacts numerous families across the

RRH is not helping families reach housing stability: families often start from a shelter➡️enter temporary housing and then return⏪ to the homeless services system🔁.
Read his full story here: childrenslawcenter.org/news/street-...

Donte Kirby of @streetsensedc.bsky.social covers ongoing concerns w/ Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and how it impacts numerous families across DC. Every year, we testify before DHS about the ineffective, costly and cyclical nature of the program - including poor case management. @cmfrumin.bsky.social

DLCP must ensure accurate data collection, strengthen compliance with corporate transparency laws and coordinate with DOB to hold repeat offenders accountable. @brianneknadeau.bsky.social

Too often, owners hide behind LLCs to avoid accountability—leaving tenants in unsafe housing conditions. As reflected in @dcattorneygeneral.bsky.social's recent case against Sam Razjooyan, beneficial ownership disclosures are critical to exposing REAL people behind repeat housing code violations.

We love the work that @childrenslawcenter.org does to find city-wide solutions that combat the longstanding impacts of poverty, racism and trauma, so that ALL DC children can thrive!

(and are so proud to call you a Coalition member 😉)

Read this year's recommendations: bit.ly/WeGotUsDC ❤️‍🔥

FY27 Budget Platform - Fair Budget Coalition Current Year (FY27) Budget Platform FBC produces our annual Budget Platform and other accountability and advocacy tools created by our...

@fairbudgetdc.bsky.social has officially launched their FY27 Budget Platform & we are proud to support the call for @mayorbowser.dc.gov + local leaders to develop a budget that invests in care and sustainability🌱
 
Let's build a budget that takes care of DC's children and families!
bit.ly/WeGotUsDC

Our newest Budget Platform is live! 🎉🎉🎉

"DC Takes Care of Our Own: A Budget for Care and Sustainability" is a deepening of our commitment to a shared vision of a DC with self-sustaining communities - ones that are TRULY invested in and cared for 🌱

Read the platform: bit.ly/WeGotUsDC #WeGotUsDC

Graphic with a quote that reads: "Last year, our medical-legal partnership received over 2,000 new referrals and handled over 500 cases with help from DC’s Access to Justice Initiative. More than 50% of our clients came from wards 7 and 8." From Children's Law Center Director of Special Legal Projects Kathy Zeisel.

Thank you @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social for listening as we shared the impact of DC’s Access to Justice Initiative during today's OVSJG hearing. These funds help us provide the legal services DC families need to get into healthier homes, improve their child’s education & increase family stability.

Families deserve urgent action & clear guidance on where to get help. 

As @doeedc.bsky.social officials testify this morning, we expect accountability: faster response times, stronger coordination across agencies & real relief for DC families seeking healthier housing. @cmcharlesallen.bsky.social

Weak oversight and inconsistent enforcement by DOEE have left families in unsafe housing for years, exposing children to lead poisoning and serious health risks. Delayed investigations and slow response times mean families wait months for action. Explained here by our Healthy Together Attorney:

Thank you @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social and @cmzparker5.bsky.social for strengthening protections for children and families by making meaningful improvements to DC's neglect statute. We look forward to the DC Council quickly passing the Statutory Neglect Amendment Act into law.

Opinion: DC must restore TANF, pull children out of poverty Planned changes to Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.

“If my children can’t eat, they can’t go to school and be productive.” -a DC mother, speaking on the importance of TANF.

The planned changes to the TANF program will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.

https://loom.ly/5APsDuY

Opinion: D.C. must restore TANF, pull children out of poverty Planned changes to Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.

Planned changes to D.C.'s Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.

@childrenslawcenter.org CEO Judith Sandalow and United Planning Organization CEO Andrea Thomas explain in this opinion piece:

Opinion: DC must restore TANF, pull children out of poverty Planned changes to Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families will impact 15,000 children, pushing them deeper into poverty.

To learn more, read our new op-ed in @51st.news:
51st.news/opinion-dc-r...

Individuals in a conference room listening to a presenter.

Individuals around a conference table engaged in a discussion

This morning, the TANF is Still a Lifeline Coalition held a Council briefing on the District's only cash assistance program for families with children and the devastating impact of cuts. TY @cmfrumin.bsky.social and staff from other council offices for engaging in this important conversation.

This month calls us to reflect honestly on that history and remain steadfast in opposing oppression in all its forms. Through our advocacy in education, health & housing and in our commitment to supporting stable families, we advance equity and carry forward a legacy of resilience and care.

Black history is American history. Black history is DC history. It lives in the communities we serve and the work we do with thousands of children and families across the District.

Thank you @cmzparker5.bsky.social for making key changes to the SOUL legislation in response to feedback from individuals with lived experience in DC's foster care system. We are excited for the bill to move to @cmbrookepinto.bsky.social's committee and then to the full Council!

The District Fails to Provide Transportation for Students with Disabilities DC's public behavioral health system, which encompasses mental health and substance use treatment, needs a new path forward. Read the report to learn more.

This case is far from over, but this is a powerful turning point in the fight for equal access to education. And we’re just getting started!

Have a bus transportation story? We want to hear it🗣️: childrenslawcenter.org/our-impact/e...

The judge ruled that our case meets all the requirements for class status. Meaning this case now represents EVERY student harmed by unsafe and unreliable transportation, not just the five families who had the courage to stand up!

⚖️BIG NEWS: We won an important federal court decision in Robinson v. DC —a major step toward fixing DC’s broken school transportation system for students with disabilities.

Now more than ever, we commit to upholding justice in every child’s life. At Children’s Law Center, we work every day to ensure that DC’s children have the foundation of family, health and education they deserve—and that systemic barriers are dismantled so all kids can thrive.

Washingtonian: Judith Sandalow honored as a 2025 Washingtonian of the Year - Children’s Law Center Children’s Law Center CEO, Judith Sandalow, has been named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. She is one of 10 leaders who received

This recognition is a testament to her leadership and the incredible impact of our entire team as we enter our 30th year. In her remarks, Judith called on all of us to come together. Watch her speech here: childrenslawcenter.org/news/washing...

Our CEO @judithsandalow.bsky.social was honored yesterday as a Washingtonian of the Year by the @washingtonian.com 🎉 For 26 years, Judith has led Children’s Law Center with vision and determination – one that is focused on giving children a strong foundation of family, health and education.

Families Together Staff Attorney, Victoria Clark loved to read Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell as a child. She shares: “This book teaches you to be proud of the things that make you different”. #CLCFavBooks 🎒✨📚

We are thrilled to share that Children's Law Center CEO @judithsandalow.bsky.social has been recognized by @washingtonian.com as a 2025 Washingtonian of the Year. She joins nine other leaders who are making a difference throughout the region. Join us in congratulating her!

The Washington Post: No-show buses, long waits: Will GPS finally help D.C.’s disabled students? - Children’s Law Center Johnathan Edwards of The Washington Post continues coverage on the issues surrounding the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the agency

WaPo reporter Jonathan Edwards highlighted severe issues STILL plaguing the transportation system for students with disabilities in DC. We're back in court today, demanding improvements from OSSE to ensure every student has reliable transportation to school: https://ow.ly/iUHz50XSbHY

Happy holidays from all of us at Children’s Law Center 🎁

As we reflect on this year, we’re grateful for the families, partners and supporters we work with to advocate for DC children. Wishing our community a season filled with warmth, hope, and moments of rest as we look ahead to the new year.

Read the full testimony: childrenslawcenter.org/resources/te...