Poised in her business suit and prepared with her research, Kara Zarchin \u201918 adjusted her microphone in a hearing room at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford and began her testimony.<\/p>\n
She spoke to state representatives and senators on the legislature’s Committee on Children\u00a0in support of Senate Bill 397, which would create an independent ombudsman for the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. The ombudsman now works under the commissioner of the department.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as it\u2019s located within the DCF, and is a part of the DCF commissioner\u2019s office, the Office of the Ombudsman can be neither independent nor impartial,\u201d Zarchin said. She added that the ombudsman\u2019s brochure states the office is charged with investigating complaints on \u201cthe commissioner\u2019s behalf.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut who is investigating complaints on the children\u2019s behalf?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
As part of a yearlong course and internship with the Center for Children\u2019s Advocacy, Zarchin and several other students testified before various committees at the state legislature earlier this year. They weighed in on legislation that would affect children, ranging from the ombudsman bill to safe haven laws that allow parents to relinquish newborn infants with no questions asked.<\/p>\n
When the students testify, they have only three minutes to state their cases, speaking in hearing rooms that are sometimes packed with legislators, media and members of interest groups and the public. They must also be prepared to answer questions from members of the legislative committee.<\/p>\n
Martha Stone, founder and executive director of the Center for Children\u2019s Advocacy, said testifying before the legislature gives law students real-world experience with an emphasis on honing their arguments quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery few students get that opportunity to be part of the legislative process,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The students testify in support of bills initiated by the Center for Children\u2019s Advocacy, or they testify\u2014in favor or opposition\u2014on bills proposed through other channels.<\/p>\n
The legislature hears and respects their voices, said state Rep. Diana Urban of Stonington, who co-chairs the Committee on Children. She said, for example, the ombudsman issue is one the committee would consider, depending on budget constraints.<\/p>\n
She noted the research Zarchin brought to the table suggests the current arrangement fails to meet the national best practice guidelines for ombudsmen.<\/p>\n
\u201cClearly this is an area we are going to be taking a deep dive,\u201d Urban said during the Jan. 7 hearing. Her co-chair, state Sen. Len Suzio of Meriden, told Zarchin her testimony was \u201cimpressive and convincing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some students who take the course will go on to become lawyers who advocate for children, and others will go on to practice in other fields. No matter where they wind up practicing, \u201cit is really important for the law school to participate in the fabric of the community,\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\n
Beyond testifying before the legislature, a requirement for the course, students assist the center\u2019s legal staff in cases involving child abuse and neglect, special education, and medical and mental health care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s pretty intense and emotional,\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\n
Zarchin said it was her first time in the state Legislative Office Building and it had an impact on her.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust being part of the legislative process, it was humbling, moving and inspiring,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to do more in that regard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emile Dajer-Pascal \u201917 testified in favor of a House bill that would give caretakers who have taken in infants under safe haven laws for more than 30 days the right to participate in a removal hearing if the DCF decides on other placement for the child. Dajer-Pascal said the bill offers more stability for the infant.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a really cool experience and you feel like you\u2019re making a difference,\u201d Dajer-Pascal said.<\/p>\n
Taylor Hansen \u201917 testified on behalf of a bill that would remove all youth below the age of 18 from the adult prison system.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get this feeling like my voice actually does matter,\u201d Hansen said of her testimony.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Lee Anderson \u201917 sent written testimony to the education committee about the need for universal preschool. Patricia Jackson \u201918 presented testimony regarding restraints and seclusion of students by school employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic service is not the most fun place to be. We need people who are bright and articulate,\u201d Urban said. \u201cThe UConn students who come here are amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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