CFCC convenes Maryland’s Family Justice System: A Symposium

Seventeen and a half years ago, Rule 16-204 created five Family Divisions in Maryland – and put the state on a path of family justice system reform that continues to the present day. On June 1, 2015 the University of Baltimore School of Law’s Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts…

TCP Students Speak Out

By Eliseba Osore, Truancy Court Program Social Worker and Katie Davis, Truancy Court Program Attorney The events of the past few weeks in Baltimore have shined a spotlight on the struggles of many Baltimore residents. While some were surprised by the revelations following Freddie Gray’s death, those of us who work with youth in the Baltimore…

Greland Lowery, the “Trauma Surgeon”

By: Katie Davis, Truancy Court Program Attorney What does it take to turn around urban youth who are on a path marked by violence and crime? According to Greland Lowrey, a gang specialist who works with youth in Baltimore city, for young people to turn away from criminal behavior, it requires “confidence, support and diligence.”…

Homelessness and Truancy Court Program Families

By: Katie Davis, TCP Attorney CFCC’s Truancy Court Program (TCP) has encountered unprecedented numbers of families in Baltimore City who are struggling with unstable housing and homelessness. While there are many challenges for those dealing with homelessness, most families do not realize that they are eligible for certain public benefits, including federally-mandated services for their…

PTSD in Children

By Ashley Sewell, CFCC Student Fellow 2014-2015 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, most commonly known as PTSD, is usually associated with combat veterans. Many people are not aware that PTSD can affect children and teens, as well. Children and teens could develop PTSD if they have lived through an event that could have caused them or…

Collaborative Family Law Works

By Matthew LaFontaine, CFCC Student Fellow 2014-2015 Collaborative family law is a non-traditional type of dispute resolution that focuses on the unification of the parties in an efficient and therapeutic manner. Unlike the traditional litigation process, collaborative law negotiations occur outside the courtroom and commit to cooperation and honesty. This commitment to transparent communication encourages…