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Kendall Seal

Attorney, Lobbyist, Strategist

Kendall Seal is an attorney, lobbyist, and strategist who currently serves as the Vice President of Policy at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children.1 He joined the organization in this role in January 2023, bringing with him 15 years of experience as a litigator, lobbyist, and public policy executive.2

Professional Background

Kendall Seal is dedicated to reforming the American legal system to ensure children in foster care are given a fighting chance.4 His work at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children focuses on advocating for policies that protect and support abused children.

Education and Expertise

Seal received his legal education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.1 His extensive experience in law, lobbying, and public policy makes him well-suited for his role in shaping policies that impact the lives of vulnerable children.

LinkedIn Presence

Kendall Seal maintains an active presence on LinkedIn under the username "kendallseal". His profile reflects his current position and professional interests, showcasing his commitment to child advocacy and policy reform.

Seal's LinkedIn activity includes sharing insights on leadership, coaching, and child welfare issues.3 He engages with other professionals in his field and uses the platform to discuss important topics related to his work at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children.

Highlights

Aug 1 · linkedin

📯Let’s Go! Federal Push to Transform Child Welfare Systems📯

The Center for the Rights of Abused Children is thrilled to share some major momentum at the federal level. These reforms will enhance the support and protection for abused and neglected children:

🔹 New Federal Reg: Expand Legal Representation for Abused Children The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a groundbreaking regulation, backed by the Center. Effective July 9, 2024, civil legal representation will be expanded for children eligible for Title IV-E foster care. This regulation extends support to the child’s family, tribe, and custodians of Native American children. This means more access to crucial legal assistance for issues like housing and protection orders. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the positive impact of legal services in ensuring children's safety and improving their outcomes.

🔹 New Federal Bill: Get a Plan for Independent Legal Representation The recently introduced HR 9076 includes a vital section requiring states to detail how they will ensure access to independent legal representation for children, parents, and guardians. Huge thanks to Rep. Tenney (NY-24) and Rep. Scanlon (PA-5) for championing this cause, and to our partners at the American Bar Association, Prudence Beidler Carr and National Association of Counsel for Children, Allison Green, for their collaboration!

🔹 New Social Security Administration Guidance After prompting from the Center and members of Congress, SSA released updated guidance emphasizing the need for payees to understand and address the specific needs of foster youth. This includes using benefits to support reunification plans where appropriate. Check out the new Program Operations Manual System (POMS) guidance for details. SSA is also offering technical assistance for states looking to optimize Social Security benefits for foster youth.

For support, states should reach out to: [email protected]

🔹 Coming Soon…

Look for new federal legislation aimed at protecting abused and neglected children’s Social Security benefits. Thank you to USD School of Law - Children's Advocacy Institute, Amy Harfeld, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dan Hatcher, and Jill Hunter-Williams for their ongoing work.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advocate for the rights of abused and neglected children!

#FosterCare #ChildAdvocacy #LegalRepresentation #SocialSecurity #ChildWelfare #PolicyUpdate

Jul 28 · linkedin

🚀 Big News in Child Welfare: State Laws Transform Foster Care Systems 🚀

It’s been a busy year at the Center for the Rights of Abused Children:

🌟 Arizona’s New Permanency Project 🌟 In a groundbreaking effort to secure permanent homes for older youth in foster care, Arizona is launching a new Permanency Project Team. This team will tackle the heartbreaking statistic that only 4% of teens over 16 are adopted. By identifying and overcoming barriers, this initiative aims to improve outcomes and find families for those who might otherwise age out without support. Could this be the change we've been waiting for? 💪

🔍 Colorado: Enforcing Children's Rights🔍 Revolutionary legislation in Colorado ensures that children's rights in foster care are not just acknowledged but enforced. From educational stability to remaining connected with siblings, this new law protects and promotes the welfare of thousands of youth. Way to go Ashley Chase and National Association of Counsel for Children 📚🤝

🔄 Restoring Parent-Child Relationships in Arizona 🔄 Newly enacted Arizona’s House Bill 2486 is a beacon of hope by allowing the restoration of parental rights under specific conditions, giving children a chance to reunite with safe, biological families. 🌈👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

🎓 Improving Graduation Rates for Arizona’s Foster Youth 🎓 With Governor Hobbs’ signature, House Bill 2645 tackles the low graduation rates among Arizona’s foster youth by setting clear guidelines and ensuring credit transferability. This initiative strives to make high school graduation a reachable goal for every student in care. 📘🎓

🔍  Enhancing Child Fatality Reviews in Arizona 🔍 Newly enacted Senate Bill 1235 brings a crucial reform for reviewing child abuse fatalities, increasing transparency and accountability to prevent future tragedies. This new approach will help drive systemic improvements and protect vulnerable children. 🛡️👶

And on the implementation front…

💵 Arizona:  Protecting Foster Youth’s Benefits 💵 In Arizona efforts are underway to stop the misuse of foster youth’s Social Security and veterans’ benefits. Full implementation of the existing comprehensive law is underway to make sure children’s funds are preserved for their intended use, aiding in the future independence and stability of youth exiting the system. 💰

Gratitude for the leadership of Governor Polis, Governor Hobbs, David Lujan, Kathryn Blades Ptak, Chris Gustafson, Alex O., Emily S., Andrew Sugrue, bipartisan coalitions of legislators, and community stakeholders.

These laws and their implementation represent a monumental step forward in transforming child welfare systems. Let’s stay informed, support these laws and public servants, and work together to create a better future for our youth. 🙌✨

Also, a huge shout-out to the team: Bradley Galbraith Darcy O. Jennifer Mello Meghaen Dell'Artino Alex Eaton John Monroe Derek Hein Greg Porter

#BrighterFuture #FosterCareReform #LegislativeChange

Related Questions

What are Kendall Seal's main responsibilities at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children?
How did Kendall Seal transition from Amplify to The Center for the Rights of Abused Children?
What significant policies has Kendall Seal implemented at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children?
What is Kendall Seal's educational background and how has it influenced their career?
How has Kendall Seal's experience as a litigator and lobbyist shaped their approach to policy at The Center?
Kendall Seal
Kendall Seal, photo 1
Kendall Seal, photo 2
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Experience

Vice President of Policy at The Center for the Rights of Abused Children (January 2023 - Present)
Adjunct Law Professor at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (January 2014 - Present), Senior Litigation Associate at Fisher Law LLC (August 2021 - January 2023); Director Of Advocacy at at Legal Services of Southern Missouri (December 2008 - June 2012)

Education

Juris Doctor, Law at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (2005 - 2008); Bachelor of Arts, Political Science at Missouri State University (2000 - 2004)

Location

Phoenix, Arizona, United States