Vol. 5, No. 5, Pg. 42. Lawyers Caring About Kids.

South Carolina Lawyer

1994.

Vol. 5, No. 5, Pg. 42.

Lawyers Caring About Kids

42Lawyers Caring About KidsIn a recent issue of South Carolina Lawyer, ABA President R. William Ide III discussed a report issued by an ABA working group that contains recommendations on the role of the legal profession in meeting the needs of children (America's Children at Risk, 5 S.C. Law. (Nov./Dec. 1993) at 29).

In an effort to implement as many of the recommendations as possible, Bar President Elaine Fowler has asked each committee, section and division of the Bar to participate in programs, projects and activities that address the legal needs of children and their families. Lawyers and law firms are encouraged to become involved in community activities, both legal and non-legal, that benefit children. the South Carolina Bar has planned a symposium focusing on the legal needs of children and their families. Scheduled for June 4 during the Annual Meeting at Hilton Head, the symposium will include panel discussions on such critical child-related issues as juvenile justice, abuse and neglect, poverty and other economic issues, with suggested ways the legal community can respond to these issues. A roundtable discussion on "Juvenile Crime: Response and Prevention" is slated for the afternoon. Speakers and participants will include local, state and national figures.

Some of the projects that are currently or soon to be under way include:

Silence the ViolenceThe South Carolina Bar Law Related Education Division, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, South Carolina Department of Education, Visions for Youth and the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Services conducted six conferences statewide. Entitled "A Community's Choice--Let's Silence the Violence," the conference series focused on violence prevention. Mini-grants will support projects developed in the conferences.

Interdisciplinary Task Force on Child Welfare ReformThe South Carolina Bar is a member of an interdisciplinary task force to promote reform in the child welfare system. Other members of the task force include Family Court judges, representatives of the Department of Social Services (DSS), Department of Mental Health, the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Project and the Foster Care Review Board.

Continuing EducationThe Bar's CLE Division has reached beyond...