by Adolfo Pesquera, DBR. A cross-section of judges and attorneys concerned about the lack of legal representation for children in dependency court gathered at Nova Southeastern University to discuss how the state might improve its record. Florida is one of 17 states that provides little to no representation for children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Of the 32,000 children taken by the state last year, only 2,500 had a lawyer, said Alfreda Coward, director of One Voice Children’s Law Center in Fort Lauderdale. The American Bar Association has offered a model law but with the Legislature struggling to sustain existing progams, there is no interest in launching a new one in Florida.
Former foster child now an advocate for more safeguards, benefits for kids in the system
Sophia Coffey knows foster care in Florida as only a foster kid can — and she is determined to change it. Growing up in the system…
