The 2023 CFCC Symposium

THE HARM OF REMOVAL TO

CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND COMMUNITIES

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Please join us on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 for this important day-long symposium focused on The Harm of Removal to Children, Parents, and Communities, presented by the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) at the University of Baltimore School of Law.

When children are separated from their parents by legal systems, they suffer permanent trauma. The anguish is no less for parents who find themselves without their children due to state intervention. Both parents and children experience detrimental effects on their mental, emotional, and physical health. Further, the larger community suffers when there is a systemic pattern of continually breaking up families. Join us to discuss the impact of family separation and to collectively brainstorm about how we keep families intact and support their health and well-being.

This years event will be in person and live stream via zoom.

Afternoon Panel: Removal Today

Moderated by Prudence Beidler Carr, Director of the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law, this panel will provide a clear view of the statistics and practices of family removal today, including insights into the disproportionate impact of investigations, removals, and terminations of parental rights by race; an update on mandated reporting and the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA); and family separation as policy and practice at the southern border.

Meet the Panelists

Prudence Beidler Carr, ABA Center on Children and the Law, Director

Dr. Tania Caballero, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Rafael Lopez, Maryland Department of Human Services, Secretary

Iesha Randolph, Baltimore native, singer, model and mother of four children

Nena Villamar, Maryland Office of the Public Defender, Chief of Parental Defense Division

Vicki Schultz, Maryland Legal Aid, Executive Director

Jane Spinak, Author and Columbia Law School, Clinical Professor Emerita

Prudence Beidler Carr Moderator

Tania Caballero

Rafael Lopez

Iesha Randolph

Nena Villamar

Vicki Schultz

Jane Spinak

Keynote Shares Lived Experience of Foster Care

Sixto Cancel is the founder and CEO of Think of Us, Think of You, a research and design lab driving systemic change in child welfare policy and practice. Sixto has been named to Forbes list of Top 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs and recognized as a White House Champion of Change. Sixto has served as a Young Fellow at the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative since 2010, where he has played a key role in the initiative’s work of extending foster care permanency for older youth. Sixto’s tireless advocacy is informed by his own experience in the foster care system, which he discussed in his recent TED talk, "A foster care system where every child has a loving home.” 

This Year’s Symposium Schedule

Thank you to our sponsor!

Hotel Accommodations

Attendees may receive a discounted guest room rate by booking with the Hotel Indigo.

When and Where

The University of Baltimore School of Law 

John and Frances Angelos Law Center

1401 North Charles Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

This event is FREE, but registration is required for the 9/26 Book Talk and 9/27 Symposium.

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About Us

We envision communities where children and families thrive without unnecessary involvement in the legal system. Our mission is to promote child and family well-being while inspiring the next generation of attorneys to prioritize the power, voice, and needs of families. We engage communities in all that we do and work tirelessly to transform systems that create barriers to family well-being.

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