Welcome

WELCOME FROM OUR FOUNDER AND CEO

Children have been of passionate concern and interest to me for as long as I can remember. However, it was not until I became a “special friend” to a young foster child (and subsequently followed him through 27 placements in twelve years) that I became dedicated to effecting change in the dependency court system. Throughout my life as a television actress, attorney, and mother, and as the sister of both a social worker and an adoptive foster parent, I have searched for ways to improve the lives of foster children. People often ask me, “Why foster children? So many kids need help.” While that is true, there is one big difference that separates foster youth from others in need. That is that we not only have a moral obligation to help them…we have a legal obligation. We elect the judge that sits on the bench and decides whether a parent is capable of parenting their child according to the standards set by law. The moment the judge removes the child from a parent’s care, WE become the parents to that child. We, as the community, step into that role. And I am convinced we can do a better job. Through The Children’s Project, we have an innovative and creative way to transform the outcomes that currently plague our foster youth. We are dedicated to giving our children, who belong to us through the courts of Santa Barbara County, the opportunity to grow into adulthood prepared to take on their own lives as educated, healthy, productive adults. We welcome your interest and support!