Letter: Real reform needed for sake of children

Saturday, May 2, 1998 | 4:35 a.m.

Regarding Sandra Thompson's recent column on Family Court reform, the Children's Advocacy Alliance, a nonprofit 501C3 organization dedicated to providing systemic change benefiting abused children, has been studying model court-status reports from 10 cities, all of which adopted a program where each child who enters into protective custody is provided with both an attorney and volunteer special advocate.

The results have been tremendous. The length of time a child spends in the custody of the state has been drastically reduced.

In Nevada, the average child stays in foster care for three years, eight months, which means there are many more who stay in-system far longer. This is wrong. And we must put a stop to it.

Our children are our future. Politicians need to make a real commitment to these kids. More funding is not an option. It is a necessity.

Toni Isola-Bayer,

president,

Children's Advocacy Alliance

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