General Info

ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION This coalition was founded in October of 1997 in memory of Jonathan Reid, a nine ( 9 ) year old little boy that was placed into the foster care system after being wrongfully removed from his mother Debra Reid, the Executive Director of this organization by the Department of Children and Family Services. Sadly, within six weeks of being placed into the foster care system, Jonathan was pronounced dead on June 9, 1997. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office concluded that Jonathan's death was caused by the combined effects of his asthma and albuterol toxicity. Testimony by Jonathan's caregivers and medical providers disclosed that social workers had falsely categorized his medical condition and his known medications which contributed to his death. The Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition has received local, state and federal recognition for it efforts in effectively providing legal and non-legal advocacy for families in the juvenile dependency courts and its effort in reforming legislation. The Jonathan Reid Family Rights Coalition provides advocacy services which includes but is not limited to, basic educational training in understanding the operations of the dependency court process. We have effectively participated in multiple decision making panels with the Department of Children and Family Services. In addition, we have offered assistance to outside private and panel dependency court attorneys through our paralegal support services. Our coalition has promoted ongoing public dialogue with our legislators through the use of public forums.