EDGY Conference

Christine Espejo
Christine Espejo
MSW, JD, CWLS
Children's Law Center of California
Christine Espejo
Christine Espejo is currently the training attorney at the Children's Law Center of California (CLC). Christine joined CLC in 2016 where she represented foster youth in Los Angeles’s child welfare system. Christine's specialization in mental health assisted her in navigating the mental health systems foster youth experience during their time in care. In 2020 Christine received her Child Welfare Law Specialist Certification from the National Association of Counsel for Children. In March 2023, she transitioned into her current role as training attorney at CLC. Christine is responsible for implementing the new attorney and investigator training programs at CLC. Christine along with the training team are responsible for coordinating the trainings that are internally held for CLC staff. In November 2024, Christine published an article titled, “I’m an Attorney – Why Should I Talk about Mental Health Services?” for the Children’s Rights Litigation Committee of the ABA. Christine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, and a Master of Social Work from San Diego State University.

SESSION OVERVIEW

We’re All in This Together! Demystifying the Dependency Court System and Collaborating with Attorneys
Have you ever worked with a foster youth? Interested in learning what happens in their dependency case? Two attorneys from Children’s Law Center of California will guide you through the dependency court process and teach you the basics of dependency, (child welfare), law. We will provide lots of statistics about who ends up in this system, including how LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented. We’ll also provide tips on how mental health care providers and others can collaborate with the youth’s attorney to ensure best outcomes for the youth. Case studies will be used to help solidify an understanding of these techniques and practices in small group discussions. This presentation, provided by the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s National LGBTQ+ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, is suitable for all service providers working with LGBTQ+ youth, including school-based workers.