Victory for Las Vegas Foster Children

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) has won a major victory on behalf of foster children in Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada. The Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit overturned a lower court's dismissal of the foster care reform case brought by NCYL on behalf of Clark County's abused and neglected children. The Appeals Court ruled that these children have a constitutional right to safety and adequate medical care. The Court also said that the county, and county and state officials, are liable if they fail to ensure that those constitutional rights are protected.

: "Lou" Oden-Brown

Legal Secretary Ethel Louise ("Lou") Oden-Brown has won an Award Of Merit from the Legal Assistance Association of California for her "exemplary work in improving access to justice!" The LAAC Awards of Merit are the legal services community's opportunity to recognize the importance of legal services and to particularly honor a few of the many who have made contributions to the field during the last year.

Lou's colleagues at NCYL are thrilled and can't think of anyone more deserving. In 2010, NCYL celebrated 40 years of advocating for poor children, and Lou has been here for 29 of them. She is essential to NCYL's success. As Director John O'Toole often says, "Lou is the heart and soul of NCYL."

Lou will be honored, along with three other award winners, at a June 7 reception during the Pathways to Justice Conference in San Francisco. For more information about the awards and ceremony, click here.

Victory for Las Vegas Foster Children

NCYL Staff Member Ethel Oden-Brown Wins Merit Award