News from OPLC
Ohio Poverty Law Center signs National Resolution Against School Pushout

OPLC is one of over 180 organizations and supporters nationally who have signed on to support the Dignity in Schools Campaign's National Resolution Against School Pushout, a call to action for the nation's school systems to end the harsh disciplinary policies and law enforcement tactics that push too many young people out of school. The National Resolution calls for schools to create positive climates for learning and adopt alternative approaches to discipline that protect the human rights of young people.

OPLC will be working with its Ohio partners in the coming weeks and months to distribute the Resolution and use it as an advocacy tool to push for changes in Ohio policies that lead to school pushout.  Watch here for more information!




October 2009 -- Sarah Biehl, staff attorney at OPLC, recently participated in the American Bar Association Summit, Raising Our Hands: Creating a National Strategy for Children's Right to Education and Counsel.  Sarah worked with the organizers of the education track of the summit to draft and edit a model school code and report that proposes a radical shift in schools' approach to discipline and education of children: one that respects each child's right to a high quality education and right to be treated with dignity in school. In the coming year, Sarah will work with other partners nationwide to revise and publicize the model code and report.


September 2009 -- Linda Cook, Senior Attorney at OPLC, recently appeared on WOSU, Columbus' public broadcasting channel, on a program called Facing the Mortgage Crisis, to participate in a panel discussion about services available to Ohioans to help deal with the foreclosure crisis. 

The following is a description of the program from WOSU's website:
WOSU presents a panel discussion with financial experts on the community impact of the current mortgage crisis and early prevention. WOSU Public Affairs Director Mike Thompson moderates. Panelists include Denise Gastesi, Foreclosure Intervention Specialist, Franklin County Treasurer’s Office; Jung Kim, Community Research Partners; and Linda Cook, Statewide Legal Services Foreclosure Project Manager, Ohio Poverty Law Center.

Click here to view the video and get more information.


August OPLC Staff2009 -- The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law alumni magazine, All Rise, recently recognized four OSU alumni at the Ohio Poverty Law Center.

Four Moritz alumni working the Ohio Poverty Law Center are (see photo, left to right):




Not pictured is Melissa Capossela, Moritz Class of '09, who will begin work at the center in September.