Children's Advocacy Institute

Executive Director

Robert C. Fellmeth

Council For Children

Thomas A. Papageorge

Council Chair

Martin D. Fern

Birt Harvey, M.D.

Louise Horvitz, M.S.W.,

Psy.D.

Hon. Leon S. Kaplan

Paul A. Peterson

Gary F. Redenbacher

Gary Richwald, M.D.,

M.P.H.

Blair L. Sadler

Gloria Perez Samson

Alan Shumacher, M.D.

Owen Smith

University of San Diego

School of Law

5998 Alcalá Park

San Diego, CA 92110

(619) 260-4806

(619) 260-4753 (Fax)

926 J Street

Suite 709

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 444-3875

(916) 444-6611 (Fax)

Reply to:

□ San Diego

□ Sacramento

www.sandiego.edu/childrensissues

Contacts:	August 29, 2002

Robert C. Fellmeth, Executive Director

Elisa Weichel, Administrative Director

619.260.4806

Children's Advocacy Institute Names

2002 Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism Award Winners

SAN DIEGO — The Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) of the University of San Diego School of Law has announced the winners of the Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism Awards for 2002.

The first place award winner is the Los Angeles Times series, "Crashing Hard Into Adulthood," reported by Phil Willon, with photographs by Gail Fisher. Written over the course of a year, these compelling articles chronicle the lives of three 18-year-olds as they emancipate out of the foster care system, being cut loose to fend for themselves.

The second place award is shared by two entries. The Sacramento Bee's series titled "Kids on Meds," reported by Dorsey Griffith, with photographs by Lezlie Sterling, examines the growing trend of treating children with behavioral and emotional problems with new and unusual prescription medications — most of which have never been tested on children. The Oakland Tribune's series, "Special Education: The Broken Promise," reported by Jill Tucker, Kristin Bender, Suzanne Bohan, Lisa Friedman, and Josh Richman, with photographs by Sean Connelley, shines much-needed light on California's $4.5 billion special education program, revealing a system deserving of a failing grade.

The Price Child Health and Welfare Journalism Awards are presented annually for excellence in journalism for a story or series of stories that makes a significant impact on the well- being of children in California, and advance the understanding of child health and welfare issues in this state. The CAI Council for Children, a distinguished group of professionals from throughout California that advises the Children's Advocacy Institute, will hold a special luncheon on Saturday, September 14, 2002, to honor the Award recipients.

CAI is an academic research and advocacy center dedicated to promoting the health and well being of California's children. CAI advocates in the legislature to make laws, in the courts to interpret laws, before administrative agencies to implement laws, and before the public to educate and build support for laws to improve the status of children. CAI educates policymakers about children's needs for economic security, adequate nutrition, health care, education, quality child care, and protection from abuse, neglect, and injury.

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