Date Recognized: October 14, 2019
Sector: Business & Media
As a Live Well San Diego recognized partner, CLSSD will continue to align with the Live Well vision of healthy, safe, and thriving communities by protecting and defending the rights of children and youth in the child welfare system through high-quality and compassionate legal representation. CLSSD is a non-profit, interdisciplinary organization that consists of four law firms with teams of attorneys and investigators that provide our vulnerable clients with zealous advocacy in and out of court.
CLSSD was founded in 2016 to provide legal representation for all foster youth in juvenile dependency courtrooms throughout San Diego County. CLSSD clients range from newborn babies born drug-exposed, school-aged children who suffered physical or sexual abuse, to transition age youth working to overcome the trauma they suffered due to abuse or neglect while they prepare for independence in adulthood. The attorneys serve both as attorneys for the children as well as being their guardian ad litem. CLSSD investigators assist attorneys with independent investigation and monitoring of the clients' safety and needs.
CLSSD’s highly trained team are tireless advocates for this vulnerable population, guiding them through the complicated and overwhelming foster care system and the accompanying dependency court process. Appearing at every hearing, often with their young client beside them in the courtroom, the child’s attorney is in the court speaking exclusively on behalf of the child, ensuring their needs are met, such as: family reunification, physical health, mental health, education, permanence and self-sufficiency. Ultimately, CLSSD strives to improve a child’s life by mitigating trauma such as loss of relationships, temporary placements, unnecessary moves, in foster care too long, education instability.
Children’s Legal Services of San Diego is committed to continuing to advance Live Well San Diego by ensuring our clients grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community.
