Children's Rights Council
Encyclopedia
The Children's Rights Council (CRC) is a global 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that focuses on children’s advocacy, legislative reform, and access/visitation services. It was founded in 1985 by David L Levy
David L Levy
David Levy is a pioneer in the field of children's rights. In 1985, Levy co-founded The National Council for Children's Rights, later renamed The Children's Rights Council, which he served as Board President until October 2009. He was the CEO from its inception until he became Board President on...
, Esq. and several other individuals who collectively have more than 40 years experience in helping to resolve custody disputes. The organization is headquartered in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area with 60 chapters in 39 states (including the District of Columbia) and international affiliates in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, France, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, and Sierra Leone. Prominent professionals in the fields of religion, law, social work, psychology, child care, education,
business, and government comprise our Family Advisory Board.
Activities
CRC promotes legislation that works to benefit children through shared parenting. Seeking legislative reform, the organization is a strong advocate of joint custody. CRC also manages 26 Child Access Centers in 11 different states which provide supervised access and visitation of children and serve as safe transfer points for children who are moving from the custody of one parent to another.In addition, CRC conducts research and submits testimony to Congress in regard to the well being of children. The organization's primary focus is to minimize the emotional, physical and economic abuse, neglect and distress of children and the development of at-risk behaviors following relationship breakups between separated, divorce, or never-married parents who are highly conflicted. In 1995, Cynthia L. Ewing testified as a Legal Analyst for CRC that states which had the most "intact" families had, for the most part, the highest rankings of children's wellness.
Goals
In support of this commitment to children, CRC has established a set of social goals based on program utilization of the Both Parents Approach model to help highly conflicted parents better cooperate and collaborate in the best interests of their children following break-up of the family. CRC's advocacy and program goals are designed to accomplish the following:Mitigate the long-term damaging effects to children caused by divorce and relationship break-ups;
Reduce total children at risk from developing harmful and destructive behaviors;
Encourage non-custodial parents to remain emotionally & financially supportive of their child(ren);
Advocate increased opportunities for access to non-custodial parents; and
Decrease the nature, burden and expense of legal disputes and court interventions caused by persistent parental conflict.
Supporters
Supporters of Children's Rights Council are from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and from a number of diverse fields. CRC has received donations from celebrities such as Jamie FarrJamie Farr
Jamie Farr is an American television, film, and theater actor. He is best known for having played the role of cross-dressing Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in the television sitcom M*A*S*H.-Early life:...
and David Brenner
David Brenner
David Brenner is an American standup comedian, actor, author, and filmmaker.-Career:Born and raised in poor areas of Philadelphia, Brenner found comedy a major source of relief from the daily trials and tribulations he faced in his youth. His neighborhood has been one of the top-ranked crime...
. CRC's former honorary president was Lady Catherine Meyer, Catherine Meyer
Catherine Meyer
Catherine Irene Meyer, Lady Meyer is the wife of Sir Christopher Meyer, the former British Ambassador to the United States. She is the founder of the charity Parents & Abducted Children Together .-Background and Career:...
the wife of the British Ambassador to the U.S., Christopher Meyer
Christopher Meyer
Sir Christopher John Rome Meyer, KCMG is a former British Ambassador to the United States , former Ambassador to Germany and the former chairman of the Press Complaints Commission...
. Many other supporters include notable psychologists, doctors, researchers on children's issues, and business leaders. CRC receives most of its funding from foundations, court systems, and individuals.
Recent news
On November 3, 2008, Children's Rights Council was mentioned in The “Dear AbbyDear Abby
Dear Abby is the name of the advice column founded in 1956 by Pauline Phillips under the pen name Abigail Van Buren and carried on today by her daughter, Jeanne Phillips, who now owns the legal rights to the pen name....
” Column, which runs in 1,400 newspapers. The article was entitled “Man Pestered by Ex-Wife Must Act to Help his Son,” and CRC was referenced as an effective resource.
Acknowledgments
- Designated "Best in America" by the Independent Charities of America
- 2006 "Non-Profit Intern Provider of the Year" by the Washington Center
- "Lifelong Achievement Award" Presented to President David L. Levy by US Office of Child Support Enforcement
- "Legislative Achievement Award" from First Lady Hillary Rodham ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
- "Distinguished Service to Children" presented by Parents Without Partners International