We are Kathleen and Robert Raskin of Las Vegas, and today we are pleased to announce that a program right here in our city that provides foster children with attorneys so their interests will be protected has received important funding. Foster children are often involved in civil cases due to neglect, abuse, and the termination of parental rights. Clark County officials have voted to increase the funding for a program that allows these kids to have legal representation by $1.4M.

The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Children’s Attorneys Project
It was a recent increase in the fees associated with court cases that prompted the need for more funding, because the Clark County Commissioners have passed a bill that requires the courts to appoint attorneys to the children in these cases. According to Barbara Buckley, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Center, “Having an attorney means your case isn’t forgotten, that you are not forgotten. If anyone deserves that, it’s these kids.” There are approximately 3,000 children of all ages in the foster care system in Clark County today. While the majority of these children will only be in foster care temporarily, there are others who will end up in long-term care and in the courts, so you can really see why there is a need for this kind of assistance.

We, Kathleen and Robert Raskin, wholeheartedly agree, and we are always pleased when we see others who are also working to help protect children’s and families’ rights.