Patrick Gardner, NCYL's Deputy Director, specializes in children's mental health law and policy, and its impacts on youth involved with the child welfare, juvenile justice, and special education systems. He oversees NCYL's juvenile mental health courts work and is co-counsel on several statewide class action lawsuits seeking improved access to mental health care for Medicaid-eligible youth. Patrick also serves on the California Child Welfare Council. Prior to joining NCYL in 1999, Patrick was Hawaii County managing attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH), focusing on a range of public benefits, domestic violence, and consumer issues. He assumed the role of Managing Attorney for two Hawaii County offices from 1996 to 1998, and is currently serving as a member of LASH's Board of Directors. He is also a founding board member of the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice. Patrick began his career with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as a legislative and policy advocate. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was an Editor of the Journal on Law and Politics, and earned his B.S. degree in applied economics, Magna Cum Laude, from Virginia Tech.
