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continued from home page
In
addition to working with client families, the staff
also liaisons with other organizations
such as Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), shelters,
treatment centers
and
state and county officials concerned
with child welfare. We work with families before, during and
after court proceedings to ensure children's rights.
Defenders offers
legal, forensic and expert witness services and referrals
when children and their
families have exhausted available resources through public and
social service agencies,
and yet the children still remain at risk. (see
Getting Help)
Defenders also interfaces as an educational
resource with such agencies as the Attorney General’s Office,
State
Bar, Court System,
Child
Protective Services, the State Legislature, and
numerous non-governmental
agencies as well.
Mission
Statement
Our mission is to provide
assistance on a case-by-case basis to abused (or allegedly
abused) children where there is compelling evidence of ongoing abuse or
denial
of rights. Defenders works to ensure the safety of children
and their
rights to a healthy
living environment. Our
mission,
further, is to provide an educational outreach to adults and child welfare professionals most likely to intervene and ensure that child abuse will be prevented.
Defenders of Children
Goals:
- To
protect children from
ongoing violence or
criminal mistreatment in their homes;
- To
ensure children’s rights and entitlements
are actualized;
- To
identify and address inadequacies in the
child protection and legal systems as they come to our attention;
- To
bring about beneficial changes in those
systems by encouraging positive changes in guidelines, in protocols,
and at law to ensure the safety and well being of children.
- To
conduct educational trainings for the
community and professionals involved in child welfare and children’s
legal issues;
- To
ensure safety in all areas of children’s
lives, where they live and where they congregate: family situations,
school playgrounds, internet chat rooms, etc.
Our
Staff:
Executive Director
Legal Assistant
Consulting Attorney
Volunteer Case Staff
Volunteer Case Staff
Administration
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Donnalee Sarda, MC, LPC (licensed professional counselor)
Larkin Riley, J.D.
David M. Lujan, former Minority Leader, AZ House of Representatives
Jean Sokol, LCSW (licensed clinical social worker)
Chris Monaco, PhD
Carol Jacobson
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Our Board:
Board Chair
Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Child Advocate
Child Advocate
Child Advocate
Child Advocate |
Betty H. McRae
Joanne McDonald
Tara Bickford-Bailey
Gary Bolno
Shelley Adams
Paige Mollen
Lydia Torea
Vanessa Van Wyk |
Advisory Council:
Education Advocate
Family Physician
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Tamara Ballou
Claire Bowey, MD
Gif Loda, Esq.
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Contact Us
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Who
qualifies for
help from Defenders?
Intake Form
Getting
Help
Additional
Phones
Some
Case Stories
Next Training Series
Book Release
Fundraising Concert
New Branch Office
Donors
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