summer 2014 Newsletter ALLIANCE VOICE Building a Bridge to Success 6 Connections for Native American Foster Children 3 New ChildrenвЂ™s Justice Council 4 Annual Dinner Raises $1.3 Million 8 Policy Solutions Offer Promise to Children 12 Thank You Donors for Fueling Our Work 14 Around theAlliance Alliance Around the BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Cliff Gilbert-Lurie Ziffren Brittenham LLP SECRETARY Amy M. Hawkes Ernst & Young LLP TREASURER Chris B. Walther Activision Blizzard Peter Benedek United Talent Agency James P. Clark a message from board chair Cliff gilbert-lurie & janis spire CEO New Partnerships Promise Stronger Connections for Native American children in foster care Chief Deputy Attorney, City of L.A. Trent Copeland Attorney & Legal News Analyst Nancy de Brier Attorney & Child Advocate Michael Downer Capital Research & Mgmt. Co. Susan F. Friedman NBC News (Retired) Leslie Gilbert-Lurie* Writer, Child Advocate, Lawyer Barbara Grushow Barbara Grushow Designs Angie Harmon Actress & Advocate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to age 26. ACA now enables young adults to stay on their parentsвЂ™ insurance plan, but foster youth have no parents making it critical that they access this benefit. The Alliance is actively enrolling youth, so they have a five-year health safety net. The Alliance recently launched a partnership with the Juvenile Court to reach Native American foster children. Judge Amy Pellman presides over the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) court, which sees upwards of 200 cases involving Native American youth each year. Our collaboration, made possible by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, allows us to meet and screen children coming through Judge PellmanвЂ™s court. In addition to advocating for the childrenвЂ™s education, healthcare and financial supports and services, we are also working to identify and build relationships with culturally sensitive community providers. The Alliance has also taken a lead in ensuring new legislation will close the education achievement gap for CaliforniaвЂ™s more than 60,000 foster youth. Through this reform, schools (with a large percentage of foster youth and other at-risk groups) will receive additional resources to bolster the academic standing of vulnerable students. Alliance representatives are diligently вЂњpounding the pavementвЂќ to make sure the funds are allocated appropriately, so more foster youth graduate high school and advance to college or vocational school. Like all children in foster care, Native American children need stability, access to early and special education, quality medical and mental healthcare, and for older youth, mentors, housing and transition services. But this population faces additional obstacles, including a shortage of Native American foster homes and culturally conscious service providers. While under L.A. County jurisdiction, many of these youth live in neighboring counties such as San Bernardino and Riverside where resources can be scarcer and where they are further away from social workers and court-appointed attorneys. Through this collaboration, we advocate for services across county lines. And when children reunify with their birth parents, we will continue to provide the tools they need to be successful at home. Yasmine Delawari Johnson Child Advocate Jo Kaplan Referee, Juvenile Court Mitchell T. Kaplan Kaplan Stahler Agency Gwyn Lurie Alcove Films Karen Mack Writer & Producer Steven A. Marenberg* Irell & Manella LLP Sue Naegle This is Cliff Gilbert-LurieвЂ™s first joint letter as the new Chairman of the Alliance Board of Directors. The Alliance is thankful for the tremendous leadership and vision of outgoing Board Chair Bart Williams. Naegle Ink Kirk Pasich Dickstein Shapiro, LLP Daniel M. Petrocelli OвЂ™Melveny & Myers LLP Harriet S. Posner Skadden LLP Kevin Reilly FOX Broadcasting Company Rick Rosen William Morris Endeavor Bruce Rosenblum Legendary Television Phillip Rudolph Jack in the Box, Inc. Susan Saltz Child Advocate We are running on a flood of energy on the heels of our incredibly successful 22nd Annual Dinner celebration on April 7 and the RIGHT to LAUGH comedy event on May 29 (see pages 8 - 10). The outpouring of financial and in-kind support weвЂ™ve received from the community will be channeled to help local children who face impossible circumstances. JosГ© F. Sanchez Sidley Austin LLP Toni M. Schulman* Child Advocate The Alliance has taken a lead in enrolling foster youth for coverage Every day, your support opens doors of opportunity for disadvantaged children so they can dream big. Thank you for helping us to keep those big dreams alive. The Alliance is also working with the United American Indian Involvement (UAII) to identify social service providers and make them more accessible to Native American families. We are building on an existing Native American services directory by calling on our partners to join and to participate in cultural awareness training led by UAII. While Native American youth have always been a part of Alliance caseloads, we are committed to growing these partnerships so more children are poised for long-term success. Pamela Soper, ex officio Blue Ribbon Commission Roadmap to Change Lives Now CBS Television Bart H. Williams* Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP Noelle Wolf Child Advocate 2013 Programs at a Glance (7,611 children served) Robert J. Woolway Los Angeles CountyвЂ™s Blue Ribbon Commission on Child Protection released its final report on April 18 calling for a transformation of the child protection system. This includes creating a single entity responsible for all child welfare services throughout multiple county agencies. The report calls for better support for foster children who are placed with relativesвЂ”an issue the Alliance is championing statewide (see page 12). The report also calls for greater transparency, accountability and data sharing as well as improved education stability for foster youth. The County Board of Supervisors adopted these reforms, and we look forward to playing a role in their implementation. Visit blueribboncommissionla.com. Adoption and Adoption Support 1,014 Trinity Capital LLC president & Ceo Janis Spire chief operating officer NextStep: Transition Age Youth 1,950 Michael House legal director Laura Streimer Director of development Guardianship 546 Education and Early Child Development Healthcare 521 1,494 Marlene McGuirt Communications Director Constance Farrell * Past Chairs ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Other 1,036 Benefits and Special Needs Support 1,050 Board Member and Vice Chair of the Blue Ribbon Commission Leslie Gilbert-Lurie speaking at a commission hearing with retired Judge Terry Friedman. kids-alliance.org | 3 Pro Bono Spotlight Program Highlights 2014 ChildrenвЂ™s Justice Council honoring firms who go above and beyond for impoverished and abused children and youth The Alliance is thrilled to recognize firms whose extraordinary pro bono commitment improves the lives of our communityвЂ™s most vulnerable children. These firms have donated the most hours to the Alliance in addition to building special practices, affecting statewide policy and providing significant resources to sustain our work. We honor these firms as our inaugural ChildrenвЂ™s Justice Council, a new distinction to be awarded annually. Gibson has been there for our clients since the beginning. They were instrumental in creating the AllianceвЂ™s Adoption Program and helped finalize thousands of foster care adoptions. Gibson also helps achieve stability for adoptive families. They successfully litigated a landmark case so adoptive parents receive benefits based on a disabled childвЂ™s needs. In addition, Gibson advocates for education rights. They are working on a first-of-its-kind impact project, training schools on partial credit laws. For foster youth who move constantly, this groundwork will make high school graduation a reality, instead of an impossible dream. Latham is a pro bono powerhouse, donating thousands of hours each year. Latham attorneys create families through adoption and guardianship, stabilize families with public benefits and support children by advocating for education. Foster Care Month graduations, job skills and career paths for transition-age youth 1 Latham also helped develop two new initiatives to assist children. They were the first firm to take on a large volume of special education cases and to advocate for early childhood development services. They are also piloting a new program to obtain child care benefits for children in need. With each issue, Latham develops extensive internal expertise and displays a deep commitment to our practice areas. Manatt attorneys are true champions for childrenвЂ™s stability and improvements in public policy. They collaborate to identify innovative approaches to pro bono advocacy. Manatt bolstered legislative efforts to better support foster children raised by relatives, led a 50 state survey of kinship benefits and presented the survey findings to the California Department of Social Services. Their leadership on this issue is poised to improve the lives of thousands of foster children raised by relatives. Myths About Teen and Sibling AdoptionS Dispelled an adoptive father explains the facts May was 1. Jasmine graduated from USC 2. Junior League of LA cooking workshop 2 3. Job shadowing with ICM Partners Scott and Veronica adopted their daughters, ages 11 and 12, in February 2014. Scott dispels some of the common myths about adopting pre-teen siblings. Myth: teens come with baggage that you donвЂ™t know about. FACT: When we adopted the girls, we were given their complete history. Through this, we learned their needs and ways to include them into our family history. We talk about their time in foster care, and because of that, they can be themselves. 3 Myth: Adopting babies is an easier way to grow your family. FACT: Our youngest daughter has cerebral palsy and needs constant care, so we couldnвЂ™t parent a young child. For us, adopting older kids meant we could still grow our family. 4 OвЂ™Melveny has a long history of advocating for children across many of our programs, including guardianship, adoption and public benefits. They have successfully litigated numerous benefits cases, ensuring children have support for basic needs. When family members were denied the right to care for relative foster children, OвЂ™Melveny attorneys filed suit to protect their rights. OвЂ™MelvenyвЂ™s action led to the creation of a new state hearing process for relative caregivers, allowing children to stay with a loving family member instead of in a foster or group home. Each year, this system-wide fix helps hundreds of families create stable homes for their kin. We thank these firms and all of the other phenomenal attorneys and firms who help make our work possible. ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Myth: ItвЂ™s hard to bond with siblings BECAUSE theyвЂ™ve been through so much, and their bond is only with each other. FACT: Adopting siblings made our relationship building process even smoother. Because they have each other, they never felt isolated or alone. Our relationship added to their relationship. 4. Mirno shadows fire fighters 5. Heirloom LA teaches youth catering skills 5 When siblings enter the foster care system, they are separated from their family, and often, from each other. Around 70% of foster children have siblings in care. ItвЂ™s rare and something to celebrate when a pre-teen sibling set finds a family to love them both. CELEBRATE Upcoming Adoption Days August 1 & November 21, National Adoption Day kids-alliance.org | 5 Alliance Feature Building a bridge to success from high school to self-sufficiency Growing up in foster care is hard, and increasingly so, as youth get closer to the foster care finish line (age 21). When foster care was extended from 18 to 21 starting in 2012, it was monumental. The runway for foster youth was significantly expanded giving them more time to pursue an education and vocational training. But, in order to reduce the number of youth aging out into homelessness, incarceration and poverty, as SeanвЂ™s story illustrates, it takes more than an extra three years. It takes planning, knowledge about available resources, life skills, and a focus on high school graduation, college and career readiness. $ proper training and job readiness to enter the workforce with a skill that will earn above minimum wage. And we do this as early as possibleвЂ”in SeanвЂ™s case, in his last two years of high school. WhatвЂ™s important is identifying goals and interests and building a bridge to get there while working towards a high school diploma and everything along the way. Sean entered foster care at age 10 after an abusive beginning. He was placed in the home of his grandmother, but was never assessed for educational delays, his Medi-Cal was terminated and he went without treatment for anxiety and depression. Sean was already doing poorly in school when his grandmother entered a nursing home. He was moved to a group home, forced to change high schools and fell off track for high school graduation. To make matters worse, on a visit with his father, his dad beat him and a neighbor called the police. His dad told the police Sean initiated the fight. Sean was arrested and entered the juvenile justice system. The domino effect that is caused by abuse, neglect and constant instability is a common scenario for foster youth. Sean is a youth in transition, but issue after issue disrupts his smooth path towards independence. The Alliance stands alongside youth like Sean to remove these barriers, whether it be advocating for the classroom over juvenile hall, reinstating health insurance or ensuring they get into safe and stable housing. Foster youth move schools an average of six times while in care. The Alliance met Sean when he exited juvenile hall after months of being out of school. We worked with three school districts to calculate all of SeanвЂ™s lost school credits and advocated to get him into a special school with onsite housing where he could focus and get needed ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Circling Foster Youth in Supports for Success Only 40% of foster youth graduate high school. Exposing youth like Sean to careers, professionals and opportunities helps them set goals and get on a path towards self-sufficiency. therapeutic treatments. Sean did well in his new school, but after an emotional outburst, he was moved to another group home and school. The Alliance recovers academic credits for all of its students when they change schools. Preparing youth for a successful future requires serious transition planning, from life skills and academics to stable housing and mental health servicesвЂ”youth need these bare necessities and the guidance parent-like advocacy provides. Getting youth to graduate high school and move on to higher education or vocational training is an essential goal. College may not be a viable option for all young people, and so we meet youth where they are. We connect them to Before his 18th birthday, we spent a lot of time exploring SeanвЂ™s future. We talked about career options and college. Through these goal-setting conversations, we discovered SeanвЂ™s love for cars and computers, and talked about a possible career in auto mechanics. We arranged for Sean to participate in job training workshops and even shadow the owner of an auto shop. Sean really enjoyed itвЂ”he was able to use his critical thinking and engage with customers. For the first time, Sean felt like he was good at something and could see a path for his future. And, he does because he graduated high school after working hard, attending summer school and meeting regularly with a tutor, but he needed someone there every step of the way. The Alliance matched Sean with a mentor to help overcome everyday barriers that come his way. still a constant challenge, as is ensuring youth take advantage of the resources available to them, including the benefits of extended foster care, priority registration in community college and credit checks to scan and resolve identity theft issuesвЂ”a common threat to foster youth. Sean stayed in his group home until graduation, but then, he faced homelessness until we found an opening at a transitional housing site. We guided Sean through his community college application for mechanic vocational training and sealed his juvenile record so he could apply for a part-time job. We also introduced him to the schoolвЂ™s guardian scholars program, which will keep him connected on campus. With a place to lay his head, classes to be excited about and a clean record, Sean is confident and hopeful. He knows heвЂ™s not alone when new obstacles come before him. Only 3% of foster youth graduate with a four-year college degree. The AllianceвЂ™s programs work to support youth so they donвЂ™t become another alarming statistic. With advocacy, the right services, a support system and a high school diploma, foster youth like Sean can move past their past and with the ability to forge a future that is all their own. 75% of Alliance high school clients are on track for graduation. High school graduation and college is a huge accomplishment and a feat for many, but it isnвЂ™t the end of the road. Finding housing for transition-age youth and for college graduates is The Alliance builds bridges so youth can achieve success in college, the workforce and beyond. Learn more at kids-alliance.org. kids-alliance.org | 7 Annual Dinner Denise Richards $1.3 Million Raised at 22nd Annual Dinner Tom Bergeron, Willie Garson, Anne Sweeney and Jimmy Kimmel Willie Garson, Nathen Garson, Selena Gomez and Anne Sweeney Rick Rosen, Leslie Gilbert-Lurie and Sue Naegle Selena Gomez and Jake T. Austin The AllianceвЂ™s 22nd Annual Dinner on Monday, April 7, honored Anne Sweeney, president, Disney/ABC Television Group, as the National Champion for Children. Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to Anne before Maria Shriver presented her with the award for her dedication to children and family. Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Dick Wolf Board Member and Dinner Chair Toni M. Schulman with John Schulman Russell Goldsmith, Matt Johnson and Ellen and Ken Ziffren Les Firestein, Pamela Soper and Ben Sherwood Kelly Zajfen, Crispin and Danika Charity, Emily Lynch and Yasmine Delawari Johnson Alliance client Sarah Rachel Betsy Brandt and Malin Akerman Actor Willie Garson was honored with the Francis M. Wheat Community Service Award for his tireless advocacy as a spokesperson for foster care adoption. Willie adopted his son Nathen, 12, from foster care in 2010. Nathen sweetly presented his dad with the award after sharing his adoption experience with the nearly 1,000 guests at the Beverly Hilton. Maria Shriver, Anne Sweeney and Jesse Tyler Ferguson The evening program highlighted the AllianceвЂ™s work on behalf of relative foster families and teens who struggle to graduate high school while moving around in the foster care system. The dinner was co-chaired by Board Members Susan Friedman, Leslie and Cliff Gilbert-Lurie, Sue Naegle, Rick Rosen and Toni M. Schulman. Honorary Co-Chairs Mark Gordon, Nancy Josephson, Shonda Rhimes and Maria Shriver set the stage for a very successful event. Thank you to our generous sponsors, supporters and guests for an extraordinary evening to celebrate and support our programs. Board Member Chris Walther and Activision guests Board Members Jim Clark, Amy Hawkes and Trent Copeland ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Board Member Noelle Wolf with Dick Wolf kids-alliance.org | 9 Past Events Upcoming Events A night full of laughter upcoming events at the 5th Annual the RIGHT to LAUGH 16th Annual Event committee (partial list, L-R): Jeff Meyerson, Jon Moonves, Wendy Steinhoff, Gene Stein, Alix Jaffe, Wendi Trilling, Amy Landecker, Katie Bond, Alex Schwartz, Sarah and Bill Odenkirk, Rachelle Carson-Begley, Keith Cox, Marlene McGuirt, Kymberly Marciano-Strauss, Bradley Glenn, Jay Gassner, Peter Benedek and Karey Burke Tennis for Tots | September 20, 2014 Join us at the Los Angeles Tennis Club for a fun afternoon on the courts. Tennis for Tots has raised more than $1 million for Los AngelesвЂ™ childrenвЂ”all while enjoying delicious barbeque and a round robin doubles tournament. The event is generously hosted by Board Member Mitch Kaplan of the Kaplan Stahler Agency and his agency partner, Elliot Stahler. The tournament is held in memory of David and Lynn AngellвЂ”a couple committed to uplifting children, who tragically died on September 11, 2001. Shahidah Omar, J.B. Smoove, David Koechner, and Bill and Kristen Bellamy Tafari Gonzalez-Aird with Terre Jacobs and Jeff Ruds 11th Annual SOLOW CEO Sarah Siegel Magness with Colin King Ray Romano вЂњAll-InвЂќ for Kids Celebrity Poker Tournament | October 19, 2014 Give Los AngelesвЂ™ kids the upper hand at the 11th Annual вЂњAll-InвЂќ for Kids Celebrity Poker Tournament sponsored by City National Bank at Commerce Casino. Enjoy an afternoon at the tables alongside celebrity participants so that the Alliance can continue to go вЂњall-inвЂќ for Los AngelesвЂ™ vulnerable young people. We hope to see you there! Maxwell McGuirt, co-chair Gene Stein, TotoвЂ™s Steve Porcaro, Chaz Ebert and TotoвЂ™s Steve Lukather Board members Chris Walther, Phil Rudolph and Peter Benedek with Toks Olagundoye ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 On Thursday, May 29, we held our 5th Annual the RIGHT to LAUGH comedy event presented by SOLOW, at the Avalon Hollywood. The night was a huge success, raising nearly $350,000. More than 500 guests packed the house and enjoyed the night of hilarious laughs from the unstoppable Ray Romano, Brad Garrett, Bill Bellamy, Rob Riggle, David Koechner, Cameron Esposito and host, J.B. Smoove. We sincerely appreciate all of the comedians who generously participated in our event and gave vulnerable children a reason to laugh again. Attendees truly blew us away with their generous contributions during our silent and FOREVER hoodie auctions. We also want to thank our sponsors The Gary Magness Foundation, CBS, UTA, City National Bank, Kymberly Marciano-Strauss & Evan Strauss, Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano, Dianna & Jon Moonves, Felker Toczek Suddleson LLP and our other generous sponsors and donors. We couldnвЂ™t have done it without our amazing committee and co-chairs! To learn more and to see additional photos, visit kids-alliance.org. For more information on these events and more, visit kids-alliance.org. Change for Children: A Campaign for Kids Helping Kids We live in an era where giving back is a family affair. To continue to foster this spirit of giving, the Alliance is launching вЂњChange for Children (C4C),вЂќ a fundraising initiative that can take many forms for children and teens. Teens seeking leadership and community giving experience can sign up to champion a C4C coin drive or fundraising campaign at their school. Children can host birthday parties where donations are made in lieu of gifts, and other events like bake sales and car washes to support the AllianceвЂ™s work. ItвЂ™s incredible how much young people can do to make a big difference for abused and neglected children. For more information and to learn how other kids participated, visit kids-alliance.org/c4c or email [email protected] to get involved. kids-alliance.org | 11 Policy Update Around the Alliance Policy Solutions for Children two new efforts to protect children and improve education Step Up Coalition: Solving Inequities for Foster Children Living with Relatives In the last Alliance Voice, our cover story focused on the disparity in support for foster children who are raised by relatives. The Alliance is leading a coalition called Step UpвЂ”a statewide call to action for policy makers to ensure foster children living with relatives have the same financial support and services as children placed with non-relatives. Step Up is pursuing two strategies to put an end to this longstanding injustice. Budget Request: Step Up asked the Governor and legislature to budget state money to equitably support all foster children raised by relatives just as they do for non-relatives. The CA State Assembly voted to include this in its budget, but the Senate did not. As we go to print, the proposal is pending before a committee responsible for reconciling the differences between the two houses. Step Up is urging the GovernorвЂ™s backing if the proposal makes it into the final budget passed by the Legislature. AB 1882 (Cooley): If the budget request is unsuccessful, AB 1882 would secure some additional support for children by requiring social workers to garner CalWORKs funding for children in relative care. The onus is currently on families to apply for this basic support. AB 1882 passed through the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 23. With CaliforniaвЂ™s first surplus in years, this an opportune time to ensure relatives have the support they need to give kids a happy, healthy childhood. The San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times editorial boards have both called on the state to address this issue. Read the articles and learn more on the new Step Up website (shown above) at stepupforkin.org. Education Reform is an Opportunity to Close the Achievement Gap for Foster Youth The Alliance is working with Los AngelesвЂ™ education leaders and advocates to guarantee that a new school financial reform makes a considerable dent in improving education outcomes for foster youth. The reform is called the Local Control Funding Formula under which schools serving foster youth, low-income students and English learners are targeted to receive additional funding for support services aimed at helping more vulnerable students graduate high school. To ensure the reform lives up to its promise, the Alliance and the Coalition for Educational Equity for Foster Youth, a multi-agency collaborative, drafted a plan to help school districts effectively invest in vulnerable foster students who face the worst education outcomes over any other at-risk student population. We are actively working with school districts and county agencies to offer recommendations, trainings and the tools necessary to make sure this additional support reaches foster youth. ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 вЂњ The Alliance is a gift to families navigating the foster/adopt system. Because of their knowledge and care, our childrenвЂ™s lives are forever changed. вЂќ -John Rigsby kids-alliance.org | 13 Donors thank you to our donors your generosity and commitment enable us to protect the health and well-being of children Angels Annenberg Foundation The California Wellness Foundation Nancy and Donald de Brier The Eisner Foundation The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Legal Services Trust Fund Walter S. Johnson Foundation The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation The Rose Hill Foundation Gary Saltz Foundation Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP UniHealth Foundation The J.B. and Emily Van Nuys Charities Weingart Foundation Noelle and Dick Wolf Youth News Service L.A. Bureau/L.A. Youth Benefactors The Carl and Roberta Deutsch Foundation OвЂ™Melveny & Myers, LLP The Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker Family Foundation San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Survivor (Mark Burnett & Jeff Probst) S. Mark Taper Foundation Zellerbach Family Foundation Champions A & E Television Networks John W. Carson Foundation CBS Television Network City National Bank Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Disney-ABC Television Group Leslie and Cliff Gilbert-Lurie, Esq. Higgins Family Charitable Foundation The Mark Hughes Foundation Terre Jacobs and Jeff Rudes Kaplan Stahler Agency Karen Mack and Russell Goldsmith NBC Universal Occidental Petroleum Corporation Mr. and Mrs. Jeffry N Quinn The Annie E. Casey Foundation United Talent Agency Verance Corporation Ziffren Brittenham, LLP Patrons Activision Blizzard, Inc. Capital Research & Management Company Creative Artists Agency Dickstein Shapiro, LLP DreamWorks Animation SKG Fox Entertainment Group, Inc. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP Home Box Office ICM Partners In-N-Out Burger Foundation Irell & Manella, LLP Jack in the Box Inc. Marilyn Jones and Mitchell T. Kaplan Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP Gary D. Magness Family Foundation Kymberly Marciano-Strauss and Evan Strauss Alison M. Whalen and Steve A. Marenberg Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP Pfaffinger Foundation Dawn E. and Phillip H. Rudolph, Esq. Toni M. and John Schulman Sidley Austin, LLP South Los Angeles Child Welfare Initiative Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Susan Stockton and Chris B. Walther Warner Bros. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment Nadine N. Bell and Bart H. Williams Defenders 3 Arts Entertainment Angell Foundation Anonymous Arnold & Porter, LLP Bold Films James L. Brooks Yasmine Delawari Johnson and Matthew Johnson Entertainment Industry Foundation Ernst & Young, LLP Patty and Billy Gardell Greenberg Traurig, LLP Guess? Foundation, Inc. Amy M. Hawkes, Esq. Defenders (Continued) Hedge Funds Care Ms. Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Ambassador Robert Tuttle Inclusive Education and Community Partnership, Inc. Kirkland & Ellis, LLP Latham & Watkins, LLP Lionsgate Entertainment Nathalie Marciano Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo, P.C. Nordstrom Paradigm Kirk A. Pasich, Esq. Craig M. Piligian The Resnick Family Foundation Shine America Ana Marie Stern Anne Sweeney Rachel Tabori Myerson Mandy and Brian Teefey TM Financial Forensics, LLC Wasserman Foundation Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP Xbox Entertainment Studios Sponsors Anonymous Arent Fox, LLP Deborah and Mark Attanasio Katie Locke-Aviv and Oren Aviv Shelli and Irving Azoff Bloom, Hergott, Diemer, Rosenthal and LaViolette, LLP Cooley, LLP Rosie and Peter Casey P.J. and James P. Clark, Esq. Mary and Jean De Kernion DIRECTV Group, Inc. Linda and Jeff Eisikowitz Equal Justice Works Fredda K. Evans Daniel Fauci Foley & Lardner Attorneys at Law Fortis Films Susan F. and Alan V. Friedman Kim and Gregory T. Garcia Willie Garson Greenberg Glusker Valerie Cabrera and Richard B. Goldberg Mark Gordon Barbara Grushow and Emmanuel Bujold Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, et al., LLP Hulu Hunton & Williams, LLP Jo Kaplan and Larry Feldman Joseph Kibre, Esq. Robert Klieger Maurice La Marche Legendary Entertainment Nadine and Michael J. Levitt Annette and Robert Lichtenstein Richard and Melanie Lundquist Joyce J. Mack Bill Maher Mayer Brown, LLP McDermott, Will & Emery, LLP McGuireWoods, LLP The Barry and Wendy Meyer Foundation Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP Jonathan & Dianne Moonves Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP Morrison & Foerster Foundation Sue Naegle Sarah and Bill Odenkirk Paul Hastings, LLP Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP Reed Smith, LLP Rick Rosen Michael Stubbs and William Resnick Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP Stella and William H. Robinson Susan Saltz Elisa Fernandez and Jose F. Sanchez Hon. Nicole Avant and Ted Sarandos Seyfarth Shaw, LLP Riva R. Slifka Sudesh Sood Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP Nadine Tilley UCLA Anderson School of Management University of Southern California School of Social Work ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Sponsors (Continued) Laura Fox and Ben Van de Bunt Viacom Entertainment Group Venable, LLP Krista Vernoff Lisa and Gregory W. Wendt Sandy Williams and Theressa Shields Ellen and Ken Ziffren Sustainers Elizabeth S. Balfour BermanBraun Television Productions, Inc. Stacey Byrnes and Paul Eggert David Chase Crowell & Moring, LLP Vin Di Bona Renee K. Howdeshell David Hyde Pierce Just Give Kinsella Weitzman Iser Kump & Aldisert, LLP Ligia and Dennis Korn Marilyn and Steven Kram Barbara and Thomas Leanse Robert Long Marilynn Mack Tracey and Richard Nanula Network For Good Alison and Daniel M. Petrocelli, Esq. Michael Plonsker Beth Bornhurst and Jim Preminger Ande and Bruce Rosenblum Kenneth Rotenberg Sally Ann Salsano Dan Sandel Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, LLP Christopher Sheridan Kathy D. and David Siegel Katherine and David Slack Florence and Harry Sloan Robert B. Sloan Pamela Soper Eugene B. Stein and Geert de Turck Amy and Michael Stewart Tanner Mainstain Blatt Glynn & Johnson, LLP Debbie and Henry Weissmann Suzanne V. Wilson Amy M. Yasbeck Partners Malin Akerman Linda Allderdice Harmony Apel Karen Johnson and Tom Appleton Alain Azizi Matthew D. and Jessica Babrick Steve Bardwil RenГ©e Becnel Peter M. and Barbara Benedek Robert Beyer Hillary Bibicoff Jodie Blum Matt Bomer Mrs. Harriet Rossetto and Rabbi Mark Borovitz Bostwick Law Kevin Brockman George Brown Melanie and Alan Brunswick James Burrows Jenell and John Cabrinha Maria Calabrese Tom & Ellen Calcaterra Carl E. Wynn Foundation Maytal and Gil Charash Danika and Xander Charity Chernin Entertainment Deborah and Daniel Clark Erin and Trent Copeland Jonathan Congdon Tim Connolly Emily Culbertson John Cummings Janet and Robert E. Daily Jules Daly Elizabeth Lott and Rajeev Dassani Sam Delug Dawn DeNoon Elisabeth Deutschman Nannette Diacovo DLA Piper, LLP (US) Scott A. Edelman, Esq. Megan Edner Estelle and Philip L. Elkus Alan Epstein Partners (Continued) Equal Justice America Mitch Evall, Esq. Kat and Christophe Farber Kenneth Fearn Pauline Fischer Leah and Sam Fischer Thomas M. Fontana Mary Fossier Francine and Manley Freid Eden Gaha Leonard R. Garner, Jr. Cara Maggioni and Jay C. Gassner Justin Gimelstob Elaine and Bram Goldsmith Ethan S. Goldstine Carlos Goodman Jeanne R. Hayden and Gary Greenberg Marc Greenberg Derek Haas Rene and Paul Haas Sally E. and David M. Hackel James Hancock and Stephen Mathis IBS Foods, Inc Angela Izuel Nancy and Len Jacoby Jamra & Jamra, LLP Ben and Sara Jensen Jewish Community Foundation Bill J. Johnson Nancy Josephson Diane and Aaron Judovits Heidi Schulman and Mickey Kantor Lila Kaplan Blane Marta Kauffman and Michael Skloff Jeanine Kay Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP Kendall Brill & Klieger, LLP Elise Klein Philip Klein Lana and Robert Knop Jason B. Komorsky Linda Kornfeld, Esq. Stephen Korniczky Sue J. Kroll Beverley Kruskol Benjamin V. Lambert Margaret Shanley and Trevor Lavin Nina Lederman Ashley Lee The Honorable Jan Greenberg Levine Robert L. Levy Catherine Lhamon and Giev Kashkooli Miranda and Steve Lipscomb Longo Toyota Scion Frederick A. Lorig Dana and Keith Lupton Emily and David Lynch Carrie Mandel Joel Mandel Vicki Marmorstein Jordan McCollum Jeffrey McFarland Laverne McKinnon and Charles Swenson Jonathan Mead Metzger Law Group Janice Min Momentous Insurance Brokerage, Inc. Sean Morris Murchison & Cumming Peter Norman Jewelers Matthew Olmstead Eleanor and Glenn Padnick Tom C. and Carol Patchett Carolyn Martin and Mark A. Pedowitz Kelly Pena Julie Pernworth Susan Duffy and Steven Peterman Harriet S. Posner, Esq. Jess Ravich Phyllis and Steven Rich Beth Roberts and Warren B. Smith Fawn Rogers Nancy Stephens and Rick Rosenthal Richard Ross Terry Rowland Lawrence Rudolph Elizabeth Gottainer and David Sadkin Kelli Williams and Ajay Sahgal Genny C. Salamon Hani Salehi-Had Gary Satin Adina Savin Chris Schmidt Deborah Pines and Tony Schwartz Lynne Segall Partners (Continued) Margie and John H. Sharer Nina Shaw Benjamin Sherwood Lynne and Eric Siegel Jennifer Sklenar Stephen Smith Matthew Solo Janis Spire and Kathy Meherin Tami and David Stapf Jackie and Larry Stein Steptoe & Johnson, LLP Bruce Stern Sandra Stern Gretchen Stockdale Rita Streimer Janet and Ian Teague The Allergan Foundation Bridget Sampson and Neal Thornhill Nicole Tilley Deborah and David C. Trainer Wendi G. and Stephen Trilling United Way Gregory Vanni, Esq. Kevin Vick Jane Wald Cynthia and Lee Walker Julie Waxman and Seth Freeman Richard & Marilyn Weitz John Wells J.T. Williams Karen Williams Andy C. Wong Catherine and Robert J. Woolway Mike Zeller Ida G. Ziniti Advocates Aileen Adams and Geoffrey Cowan Laurel and Charles Adcock Kate Adler and Marcelo Ziperovich Robert Alperin Rand S. and Carol April Antonina Armato and Tim James Thomas E. Ascheim Liza Bercovici and David Axelrod Rachel Barchie Aimee Bender Harvey Bibicoff Judith and David Bickel Patricia Bowie Robert Brewer Cindy and Robert Broder Victoria Brunn Rachelle Carson Begley and Ed Begley, Jr. Amy and Michael Chapman Lindsay Chelsom Caitlin Comeskey James Comeskey Content Partners, LLC Sharon and Paul H. Crane, M.D. Winnie Dang Deborah & Daniel Clark Curt and Jackie De Crinis Robert DeLand, Jr. Tony Denison Gary Deutschman Dr. and Ms. Bruce Dobkin Lenore and Andrew Douglas Nora Doyle Terri Durham Elizabeth F. Edlow David Eilenberg Caroline Elkin Laura Ullman Epstein and Mark H. Epstein Norman B. Epstein Jack Eskenazi Mary Pat Faley Carol Fenelon Anna and Tommy Finkelstein Brenda and Paul D. First, M.D. Heather Fischer Bette and Arthur Frankel Shelley Freeman Friday5.Org Pamela Fryman-Grossbard and Alan D. Grossbard Andrea Funk Brad Garrett Janet G. Garrison and Michael Swanson Jack Giarraputo Kristine Belson and Paul Golding Goldman Sachs & Co. Randy Gordon Susannah Grant and Christopher S. Henrikson Jay Gruska Jason Gudrc Amber and Eric W. Hagen, Esq. Jill and Marty Handlesman Betsy Heimann Martha Henderson Chris Hewish Daniel Hirth Advocates (Continued) Lara and Bradley S. Holtzman Lili Endlich and Robert A. Holtzman Alston A. Horrocks David Hudson James Huyoung Hilary and Robert N. Jacobs Alexandra Jaffe Meg and Lawrence Kasdan The Drew A. Katz Foundation Jonnie Kedj Sharon and Michael Kelley Judith and George Kieffer Amy Landecker Michael Lemkin Levine Sullivan & Koch, LLP Monica Levinson Lori Valesko and Holly Light Sam Linsky Jonathan and Cara Lisco Ed D. Lodgen Anahita and Jim Lovelace Roger Lowenstein Larry Lyttle Rebecca and Laird M. Malamed Elizabeth Marquart Gary Marsh Julianna Mather Lillah McCarthy Vickie and Bruce McCorkendale Sandy Mendelson Lawrence Meyers Alan Miller Sherry Miller Scott Mills Michael Minden Kathryn and Drew Murray Katherine and Michael Neumann Jonathan Nolan Bill Nuss Mary Obasi Margrit and Norman S. Oberstein Oliver Obst Toks Olagundoue Brett Paul Michael Pennie Dona and Jim R. Perry Sandra Piller Tom G. Polenzani Matthew and Tara Poley David Poynter Proskauer Rose, LLP Pearl Reed Sherry Rendel Ronald Ribstein Nicholas Roberts Doug Robinson Paul D. Rubenstein Adam Rymer Sanjay Sahgal and Kelli Williams Bradley Schenck Eric Schiffer Jeffrey D. Schneider Randle Schumacher Jordana B. Schwartz Marc M. Seltzer Janice Sendejas Joel Shackelford Judith and David Shore J.K. Simmons Mark Small Victoria L. Smith Sue L. Himmelrich, Esq. and Michael E. Soloff, Esq. Autumn Strier Richard Suckle Joseph H. Sugerman, M.D. Lawren Sunderland Lawrence Szabo Olivier Taillieu Mansour Tannourji Shirley and Donald Taylor Sarah Bowman and William D. Temko The Neel Foundation Melanie Thomas Suzanne Todd Stacy and AJ M. Valencia Candice Vaughn Kimball Wasick Richard Webby Barry L. Weiss Brett Weitz Bridget and Marcus Wiley Henry Winkler Michael and Cassie Witham Michael Wolf James Wong Harriet Zaretsky Friends Courthouse News Service Donate For Charity Cathy D. Adams Keith Addis Friends (Continued) Sara and Robert L. Adler Colette and Gerald Ament Bob Armstrong Elizabeth Astrof Carmela Atkins Jane Auerbach and Robert W. Eberlein G W Bailey Faridoon Baqi Elizabeth Barstead Jill and Maury Barth Robert J. Bezucha Sharyl Bloom Mary A. Farrell and Stuart Bloomberg Dean Bochner Joan Boorstein Bobby Bowman Patrick Braden Ruth and Raymond Brenner Lillian and Carter Brown Carolyn Ginsburg Carlson and Rob Carlson Scott Carter Debby Churi Andy Clough Valerie and Bradford Cohen Patricia and David S. Cohen Gary J. Cohen Stuart Cornfeld Joel Criste Jen Crittenden and Bill Wrubel Meredith and John Cross Diana Crudeli Heather D.T. de la Vega Scott Dubchansky Victoria L. and Sheldon E. Eisenberg Barbara and Dave Elson Sally Elwell Regina Stagg and Joel Feuer Susan J. and Thomas J. Fineman Cindy Forman Andriana Freisson Peter Friedlander Gary Garbowitz Linda Gase Helen M. Gilbert Bradley S. Glenn Nicola and Steven Marc Glick, Esq. Christine Callahan and Jonathan Glickman Mark Goffman Alanna and Mark Goldman Kelly S. Goode Nicole H. Gordon Charlene Gorzela Gabrielle and Robert J. Greenberg Paul Grellong Alicia and Tim Griffin Sheila Griffiths and Reza Feiz David Guarascio and Shelley McCrory Richard Gurman Shirley and Richard and Richard Hahn Martha D. Haight Stephanie R. Hart Marc and Stephanie Hayutin Jared Heinke John Hennigan Stephen J. Howard, D.D.S. Patrick J. Hynes Michelle Issa James R. Jackoway, Esq. T. Warren Jackson, Esq. Leah Jackson Kenny Johnson Kristina and Alan Johnson Karen W. Jones Katharine M. Jones Barry Julien Sherman Kaplan Cynthia Karl Michelle Katz Loretta Kaufman Nancy Mette and Barnet K. Kellman Jeanette King Steven Kleinman Christopher H. Knauf, Esq. Claire Kupchak Mildred J. Laneuville-Hatch and Eric Laneuville Julie S. Leff Julie and Crispin Leyser Carol Li Daniel M. Limerick, Jr. Stephen Madsen Loretta and John P. Mahon Deena Margolis and Andrew Cowan Aline and Aline McKenna William McLucas Kenneth Meersand Suzanne Tanner and Mr. Gary J. Meisel Sally Melvin-Pick Edith Mendoza and George Alva Gregory V. Metchikian Margaret J. Miller Theodore N. Miller Friends (Continued) Hermine Mnatsakanian Douglas Morton Morgan Most Robert Myman Andrew H. Newman Susan Bay-Nimoy and Leonard Nimoy June and Gerald Norman Jacqueline Passanisi Karen E. and Judd N. Pillot Thurley Lou Pingatore Milinda McNeely and Stephen H. Plum Eileen and Joseph Porcaro Joanna and Moses Port James E. Puerner Miriam S. Putnam Jeremy Ratchford Billy Ray and Stacy Ray Sarah Timberman and Edward G. Redlich Michelle Richman Ronald Rosenfeld Donna J. Ross Damon A. Ross Paul Ruehl Peter Sahin Robin Samuel Susan Gordon and Theodore Schachter Jay and Macie Scherick Rob Schiller Laura A. Seigle James A. Sepiol Marvin S. Shapiro Gary Silver Jeanne Codron Silverman and Rick Silverman Michael Sluchan Jonathan C. Solish Catherine Soros Kim and Eric Tannenbaum Lenny Targon Rosemary Tarquinio Katie and Matt J. Tarses Heather Tatroff David C. Terrasi Michael Tuchin Brinley Turner Noni White and Bob Tzudiker Samuel Usher Susan M. Vance and Timothy E. Griffin Miriam Vogel Kathleen and Mark Von Treskow Diane Wagner Nina Wass Erin Wehrenberg Carol Whitley Ursula Whittaker Leigh Chapman and Peter John Wilkinson Carolyn and Bill R. Willen, Esq. Michele Willens Chris Williams Steven Wisner Adele Yellin Niro Yousouolan Bonnie Zane Charles Zatzkin Jennifer Zepralka Special thanks to our generous in-kind donors: Crafted Communications Hugh Williams Photography LH7 Management/July Moon Productions The Lippin Group Liquid Theory Michael Brannigan Photography Simon & Schuster Zeno Group A special thank you for cy pres funds directed by: Ahdoot & Wolfson, PC This list represents gifts of $275 or more received between May 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014. Although we cannot list everyone, we are grateful for all of your generous donations and assure you that every dollar counts. kids-alliance.org | 15 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Los Angeles, CA Permit #3487 3333 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 550 Los Angeles, CA 90010 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Free Smart Phone App Launches for Foster Youth! Introducing the Know Before You Go app! Now transitionage foster youth in L.A. County have an easily accessible resource guide with them wherever they go. The app is part of the Know Before You Go campaign, which educates youth about succeeding in life after foster care. You too can download the app or help spread the word about this useful new tool for foster youth. Scan here or text вЂњbeforeвЂќ to 96362 to get the free app! ALLIANCE VOICE | Summer 2014 Save the Date! September 20, 2014 16th Annual Tennis for Tots Support kids while having fun on the court October 19, 2014 11th Annual вЂњAll-InвЂќ for Kids Celebrity Poker Commerce Casino hosts Texas Hold вЂ�Em tournament fundraiser November 21, 2014 National Adoption Day Adoptions finalized for thousands of children as part of a national celebration across the country Visit kids-alliance.org for details.