Attorney Amanda Simmons of Ambika Law, PC presents at the 46th National Child Welfare Law Conference hosted by the National Association of Counsel for Children

The National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) is a national nonprofit membership organization that, “advances children’s and parents’ rights by supporting a diverse, inclusive community of child welfare lawyers to provide zealous legal representation and by advocating for equitable, anti-racist solutions co-designed by people with lived experience.” NACC’s 46th National Child Welfare Law Conference focused on the theme, “From Learning to Action: Shared Accountability for Disrupting Harm and Promoting Healing.” The event was attended by leading professionals and experts from around the country, all focused on improving the child welfare system and protecting children’s rights.

Alongside attorney Dawn Post and investigative reporter Chelsea Maldonado, Amanda presented, “Remembering Cornelius Frederick: Addressing Big Residential’s Failures,” to an engaged audience of child welfare experts and professionals. The 90-minute presentation focused on the history and growth of ‘big residential’ corporations, often referred to as the “troubled teen industry” in the media, centered around the tragic death of foster youth Cornelius Frederick. In addition to gaining greater insight into the risks posed to foster children placed into ‘big residential’ facilities, attendees were also provided with tangible materials and checklists they could apply to their day-to-day work in the child welfare space to better protect youth from harm.

Amanda Simmons is a California and Utah based attorney focusing on children’s rights, juvenile mental health, educational law, disability rights, special needs estate planning, school injury and conservatorships. As one of the only attorneys to publicly identify as both a survivor of childhood sexual assault and institutional child abuse in the “troubled teen industry,” Amanda is uniquely qualified to advocate for youth in ‘big residential’ programs.

The presentation slide deck is available here.

Video of the full presentation can be viewed here.