Check out NCYL's new website designed to help CA providers of adolescent health care understand the many laws that impact their work, with a focus on reproductive health.

December 13, 2007 - The state’s largest and most influential groups advocating for homeless individuals with mental illness have sued Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to restore a highly effective program they say is vital to their clients’ safety and well-being. The lawsuit charges that the Governor violated Proposition 63, now known as the Mental Health Services Act – the law passed by voters to expand mental health services in California.  Read more

March 23, 2007 - A federal appeals court reversed a preliminary injunction requiring intensive mental health services for tens of thousands of foster children. However, the appeals court affirmed California’s obligation to provide effective services to these children, and upheld the lower court’s finding that these children face the grave harm of unnecessary institutionalization without the injunction. 

Court Orders Community Mental Health Services for Thousands of California Foster Children
March 14, 2006 - the federal district court in Los Angeles ordered the state of California to provide mental health services that will enable tens of thousands of foster children to avoid institutional care.

January, 2008- The first year of the new Alameda County Juvenile Collaborative Court was a great success. The purpose of the Court is to divert youth with mental health issues from the juvenile justice system.

NCYL Deputy Director Patrick Gardner has been appointed to the newly established California Child Welfare Council. The goal of the Council is to increase collaboration among agencies and courts that serve foster youth, and improve the coordination and delivery of foster youth services. 

NCYL has forged an innovative partnership with the nation's first Juvenile Mental Health Court - Santa Clara (CA) County's Court for the Individualized Treatment of Adolescents (CITA).

NCYL Senior Attorney Rebecca Gudeman provides trainings to health care providers on minor consent, confidentiality, and child abuse reporting. For more information please contact Rebecca Gudeman.

Minor Consent, Confidentiality, and Child Abuse Reporting in California

By Abigail English, Jane Perkins and Catherine Teare