ShariShink's blog

I am eager to share some good news! -Today We Begin a New Chapter

I hope that you are enjoying the summer and finding some time for
yourself, as well as special moments with your family.

I am eager to share some good news! After three and a half years as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Bill Ritter, Stephanie Villafuerte joined the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center as our new Executive Director today. . . .Today, I will take on my new role at the Children’s Law Center as Founder and President. After 29 years as Executive Director, I am excited about my new role. >> read more

It was Good Week - Raised over $200,000 & Passed Legislative Reform

Last Thursday evening, May 6, at our annual Champions for Children dinner event, we raised over $200,000 as a result of the commitment and generosity of donors . . . . Thankfully, critical legislation to reform the child protection system has passed, and will be signed into law by Governor Ritter tommorrow, May 14 . . . . Small steps can lead to powerful change, and we are, at last, headed in the right direction. >> read more

To Be Free To Tell It Like It Is

Monday, May 3, 2010

The Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare met for the second and last time on Friday, April 23rd. Legislators listened to four hours of testimony focused on two controversial recommendations that emerged from the Governor’s Child Welfare Action Committee. >> read more

Children MUST Become the Priority

The newly formed Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare gathered in Senate Committee Room 356 at the State Capitol, a hot, crowded room full of concerned stakeholders who listened and provided testimony at the first of two meetings... >> read more

Critical Issues for Children Gain Momentum

Thursday, April 15th:

The House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 171, the Child Protection Ombudsman bill. Representative Sara Gagliardi, House sponsor of the legislation, introduced the bill. >> read more

Speak Out For Children!

You, too, can speak out for children!

The Joint Select Committee on Child Welfare will hold a meeting on Friday, April 16, and Friday, April 23, 2010, in Senate Committee Room 356 at the State Capitol. Public Testimony is scheduled for 3:45pm-5:00pm. >> read more

SB10-171 heads to the House next week

Thursday, April 8
There is excitement and momentum building this week . . . legislators are discussing potential funding for the Child Protection Ombudsman office!

We have always wanted the Colorado community to be involved in watching over our children, so, the possibility of dollars coming from unused tuition earmarked at Fort Lewis College is as fortuitous a piece of news as we'd ever imagined! Enrollment was overestimated, so $250,000 will be returned to the state. We'll be watching this turn of events closely as SB10-171 heads to the House next week.

In the struggle for children I remain. . . .

Shari

Victory on the Senate Floor

Friday, April 2
Greetings everyone:

There is great news to share today. At 11:04 am yesterday, the Senate unanimously voted in favor of the Child Protection Ombudsman bill. When Senator Newell, sponsor of the bill spoke, she said: “This office will help stop children from being locked and hidden in closets, and allow them out into the sunshine." >> read more

The Time is NOW!

After four hours of edge-of-your seat testimony, the Senate Health & Human Services Committee UNANIMOUSLY voted to pass Bill 171 (with Amendments) to create the Child Protection Ombudsman. The Committee heard from 26 witnesses, spanning county human services directors to troubled families torn apart by the decisions of the child welfare system. The testimony was at times emotional and riveting. >> read more

Your Participation is a Critical. It will make a Difference.

Friday, March 5
Many people showed up yesterday to testify in support of the desperate need for reform. However, intense debate on the Senate floor regarding another bill prevented the Health and Human Services Committee from convening until well after 5:00 pm. Those who came to testify about the Ombudsman Bill came to a consensus that it would be better to reschedule to next week.

I was inspired by the families that drove for hundreds of miles from rural parts of Colorado to be a part of the legislative process and are willing to do it all over again next week. We heard their stories and the Senators serving on the Health and Human Services Committee will hear their stories next week on Thursday, March11 at 1:30 pm in SCR 352.

If you have a story to share I urge you to attend. It will make a difference. Your participation in the creation of a Child Protection Ombudsman Office is a critically important.

In the struggle for children I remain. . . .

Shari