Prof. Maureen Pacheco writes about effects of California AB 73

Maureen Pacheco recently published an op-ed, "Don't re-traumatize foster youths in court," in the Los Angeles Daily News. Below is an excerpt:

As a juvenile justice advocate for the last 25 years, I am strongly in favor of any measure that will help reform our dependency courts to provide better outcomes for children in the child welfare system.

Unfortunately, a measure before the state Legislature that seeks to presumptively open the dependency courts with the long-term goal of improving our child welfare system could create more harm than benefit. As written, AB 73 risks re-traumatizing youth who have already been abused or neglected by making public the most intimate details of their lives.

Read the complete op-ed