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CONTACT PERSON:
VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 599-0319
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JUNE 4, 2003 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Orleans
Parish Juvenile Judge Ernestine Gray and Jefferson Parish
Juvenile Judge Nancy Konrad were featured speakers today at
the Women's Leadership Initiative's (WLI) 2nd Annual Public
Policy Breakfast, Children - Our Focus and Our Future
held at the Audubon Tea Room in New Orleans. Over 400
WLI members and guests were given a view from the bench of
the workings of the child protection system. Joining them
for the program which specifically addressed the issues of
child abuse and neglect, foster care and prevention were Marketa
Gautreau, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana,
and Kären Hallstrom, Louisiana Supreme Court Deputy Judicial
Administrator - Children and Families, who served as moderator.
According to Hallstrom,
"The Women's Leadership Initiative has taken a courageous
step today by taking a hard look at the very uncomfortable
topics of child abuse, neglect and foster care. It is encouraging
that this dynamic association recognizes the importance of
proactive involvement in improving the welfare of children."
Judge Gray provided
a procedural overview of what happens once a abused and neglected
child enters the court system up to adjudication and Judge
Konrad continued with what happens to the child from adjudication
through permanent placement. The judges' comments also included
information on the federal law on safe and permanent placement
of children, volunteer efforts such as CASA (Court Appointed
Special Advocates), mediation in child abuse and neglect cases,
and the work of the Louisiana Juvenile Justice Commission.
Gautreau discussed Louisiana's child abuse and neglect prevention
efforts and the Platform for Children and Youth of Louisiana,
a plan designed to transform Louisiana from
its low national ranking (49th) in its care of children.
The highlight of the
program were comments and a musical performance by Robbie
Steiner, a recent Metairie Park Country Day School graduate,
an accomplished composer and musician and a former foster
child "success story" from the greater New Orleans area.
The WLI, an arm of the United Way for the Greater New
Orleans Area, is comprised of hundreds of corporate, civic
and community leaders with a mission to support the unique
health and human service needs of women and children in the
Greater New Orleans Area through leadership, philanthropy
and advocacy.
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