Email from Children's Law Center Litigation and advocacy wins in education and child welfare Click to view this e-mail in your browser. With so much going on in the world – and an icestorm that we're still digging out of – it can be hard to keep up with issues you care deeply about. To help catch up, we're introducing Winds of Change. These emails will give you a quick snapshot of what is happening at Children's Law Center, the work we're doing to improve the lives of DC children and families, and how you can help.  Advocacy Updates Big News on Our School Transportation Lawsuit In 2024, we filed a federal lawsuit against the District for failing to provide safe, reliable and effective transportation to and from schools for children with disabilities. In January, we won our class certification motion, meaning we can proceed on behalf of the 4,000-plus DC students with disabilities who ride or may ride transportation during the course of the case. The decision came after months of hard work from all our partners, including The Arc of the United States, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and McDermott Will & Shulte. During a hearing in October, Bates White Economic Consulting LLC presented a data analysis of school bus trip tickets which reinforced the need for better tracking and improved technology. We also shared declarations from more than a dozen additional families who have continued to experience transportation issues since the case was filed. This work has already led to a stronger commitment by DC's Office of the State Superintendent of Education to invest in better GPS tracking systems. And we've continued testifying in front of the DC Council to spotlight problems and advocate for solutions. We know how essential it is to coordinate our legislative and judicial efforts to ensure students with disabilities aren't denied equal access to education. Dive deeper: Read more about our lawsuit here. Young Advocates Advance New Legislation For almost two years, Children's Law Center has worked with more than 20 former and current foster youth and government partners to craft "SOUL" – an amendment to give youth a new way to exit foster care by honoring the relationships they already have. These young people have brought their experiences and their passion to the lawmaking table. Collectively, we’ve pored over the DC Code and other state laws, revised the draft legislation through hundreds of hours of discussion and debate, and testified at multiple hearings before the DC Council. In January, the first of two DC Council committees in charge of moving SOUL forward incorporated additional feedback from these young leaders before approving it "out of committee." Now it will go to the second committee for a vote later in February and then to the full DC Council in March. Dive deeper: Learn more about SOUL and follow us on Bluesky or Instagram for all our policy-related updates. Being Prepared for the Storms Ahead For children with disabilities or with other learning needs that aren’t being met, we work with parents and schools to get a child’s education back on track. When we met seven-year-old Danny*, he was struggling in school and showing symptoms of autism and ADHD. We helped his mother, Ms. Vasquez, secure new evaluations for her son and obtain an IEP to ensure Danny received essential educational supports. Ms. Vasquez credits her Children’s Law Center attorney with getting the school to take Danny’s needs seriously. However, as children's needs shift and unexpected changes happen at school, we know that parents and caregivers remain their child’s best advocates. We were able to help Ms. Vasquez build confidence in her own advocacy so she could navigate future issues with the school, even after their legal case was closed. Read more about Danny and Ms. Vasquez here.   Looking Ahead Black history is DC history. As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the profound achievements, leadership and contributions of Black Americans—especially those who have shaped, strengthened and continue to lead our city. DC’s rich and unique history is what makes DC stronger, even in challenging times. This month also marks 30 years of Children’s Law Center advocating for DC children and families. While we celebrate three decades of progress, partnership and impact, we also recognize the systemic inequities rooted in racism that continue to affect the lives of Black children. These barriers underscore why our work remains as urgent as ever. Throughout our 30th anniversary year, we will reflect on the moments that pushed us to learn, grow and evolve. By acknowledging our history—both the milestones and the lessons—we recommit ourselves to advancing justice, equity and opportunity in the face of oppression in all its forms.   DONATE   Follow us on:   Children's Law Center | 250 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 350 | Washington, DC 20001 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice