The Latest
News
Mitch Kaplan on Nearly 30 Years with the Alliance
For nearly three decades, Mitch Kaplan has served on the Board of the Alliance for Children’s Rights as one of our most steadfast champions. Alongside
Mitch Kaplan on Nearly 30 Years with the Alliance
For nearly three decades, Mitch Kaplan has served on the Board of the Alliance for Children’s Rights as one of our most steadfast champions. Alongside
Watch My Baby Grow: Online Tool to Support Caregivers and Parenting Youth in Foster Care
The Alliance is proud to introduce Watch My Baby Grow, an online tool developed to aid caregivers and young parents in tracking their baby’s milestones and address the developmental challenges faced by over half of children under five in foster care. Watch My Baby Grow offers a month-to-month questionnaire to assess babies’ (ages 0-3) skills in various developmental areas. The tool—accessible on desktop and mobile—identifies eligibility for free services like speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, connecting parents and caregivers to our early intervention team advocates for support. “Our goal is to widen access to appropriate developmental services for
Federal District Court Rules in Favor of Young Plaintiffs, Allowing Their Civil Rights Lawsuit to Proceed
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Federal District Court Rules in Favor of Young Plaintiffs, Allowing Their Civil Rights Lawsuit to Proceed LOS ANGELES, Calif. (September 23, 2026) – Thousands of young people in L.A. County’s foster system sleep in their cars, couch surf with strangers, and struggle to access mental health care because County and State agencies have for years ignored their legal obligations. Now, the United States District Court for the Central District of California has ruled that seven of these young people have the right to hold these agencies accountable. The court rejected attempts by Los Angeles County
AB 1967: Strengthening Protections for Young People
Take Action: Urge Governor Newsom to Sign AB 1967 The Alliance for Children’s Rights is proud to join Assemblymember Zbur and the California Coalition for Youth in sponsoring AB 1967, legislation that strengthens protections for young people seeking safety and removes barriers to extended foster care. Creating a Clearer Path to Safety No young person should be left to navigate abuse, neglect, or homelessness alone. When a young person fears for their safety and has the courage to ask for help, the system must be prepared to respond. Today, young people who seek help from the child welfare system too often
L.A. County Foster Care Civil Rights Case Moves Forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NINTH CIRCUIT CLEARS PATH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN L.A. COUNTY’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH LANDMARK CIVIL RIGHTS CASE AGAINST COUNTY AND STATE LOS ANGELES, CA, May 18, 2026 — Thousands of young people in L.A. County’s foster care system sleep in their cars, couch surf with strangers, and struggle to access mental health care—not because the law allows it, but because County and State agencies have ignored their legal obligations for years. Now, a federal appeals court has ruled that seven of those young people have the right to hold those agencies accountable. The
Champions for Children 2026: Stories That Inspire
Watch powerful stories from the 34th Annual Champions for Children, highlighting the strength and lived experiences of young people in foster care. Hear from Ka-Leah, a young leader advocating for a future where every young adult can transition to independence with the stability and guidance they deserve, and revisit Jarrett’s fight for educational support and Karen’s journey with the Alliance of Moms. From Surviving the System to Building a Better One: Ka-Leah’s Story https://vimeo.com/1176721142 Our Transition Age Youth programs, including the Opportunity Youth Collaborative Young Leaders program support young people across Los Angeles as they leave foster care, develop leadership, and
2026 Champions for Children Honors Katherine Pope & Kelly Zajfen
Image credit: Alex Berliner/ AB Images for the Alliance for Children’s Rights FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS CELEBRATES 34TH ANNUAL CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN, HONORING KATHERINE POPE AND KELLY ZAJFEN BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 20, 2026 — The Alliance for Children’s Rights celebrated its 34th Annual Champions for Children gala last night at the Beverly Wilshire, drawing together the entertainment and legal industries’ influential leaders for an evening of recognition, generosity, and renewed commitment to young people in foster care. Since its founding, the Alliance has provided free legal services and advocacy to more than 175,000 children and young adults, helping them access the
Scaling Impact: Taxes 101 TAY Workshop
During our Taxes 101 presentation, we equipped Transition Age Youth (TAY) with the knowledge needed to navigate the 2026 filing season. From decoding the alphabet soup of IRS forms to claiming life-changing credits, here is a recap of what we covered: Key takeaways from the session included: Federal & State Requirements: We discussed who is required to file based on 2024 gross income thresholds and the specific requirements for California residents, including proof of health insurance. Maximizing Credits: We highlighted vital benefits like the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC), which can provide up to $1,189 for eligible young adults
The George Zajfen Tournament – Tennis For Tots Raises $200,000
Image credit: Jason Sean Weiss for the Alliance for Children’s Rights FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE GEORGE ZAJFEN TOURNAMENT – TENNIS FOR TOTS RAISES $200,000 FOR THE ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS LOS ANGELES, September 18, 2025 – The George Zajfen Tournament – Tennis for Tots raised $200,000 to benefit the Alliance for Children’s Rights, providing vital support to children and families impacted by foster care. Hosted by Kelly and Julian Zajfen in honor of George Oliver Zajfen, the annual event brought together community members, celebrities, and supporters to raise awareness for the Alliance’s critical work. “Each year, this tournament reminds us of the power of love, community, and purpose,” said Kelly Zajfen, Alliance for Children’s Rights Board Member and Co-Founder
AB 495 – Signed Into Law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Alliance co-sponsored Assembly Bill 495 (C. Rodriguez, AD 43), the Family Preparedness Plan Act of 2025, into law on October 12. In his signing message Governor Newsom noted, “Our children deserve to feel safe at home, in school and in the community. We are putting on record that we stand by our families and their right to keep their private information safe, maintain parental rights and help families prepare in case of emergencies.” This landmark legislation helps protect children against unnecessary trauma, strengthens family stability, supports parents’ rights and ensures that schools and agencies are equipped to support families in