DCFS Undocumented Children's Unit discussion, 2012

DCFS Undocumented Children's Unit Oral History Interview - CSWA ❧ Interviewer: Esther Gillies, LCSW. Date: 2/29/12. Carlos Sosa and Gladys Brito discuss the foundation of the Undocumented Children's Unit within Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). ❧ CONTENTS: (00:30) - Intro by Esther Gillies. (01:35) - The early need for the Undocumented Children's Unit. (03:30) - Program development. (04:00) - Initial Meeting in Tijuana, Mexico. (06:00) - Home studies in Mexico. (09:30) - Caseloads and Court Orders. (12:20) - Volunteers to fly with children to Mexico. (14:15) - War in El Salvador. (17:00) - Issues surrounding undocumented youth aging out of the system. (18:20) - Internal operations within DCFS. (22:20) - Immigration raids. (24:50) - Court involvement. (28:00) - Emerging issue of legalization. (38:00) - Protocol for International return. (41:35) - Special Immigrant Status. (47:40) - Child Welfare Act. (48:50) - Staff for permanency planning. (49:45) - County money saved by changing status. (51:00) - Advocacy group involvement. (54:50) - Issues with implementation. (55:50) - Creativity involved. (57:00) - Centralizing hotline. (58:00) - Runaway problem. (59:30) - Advice for future social workers. (01:04:50) - Human trafficking as the next social problem. ❧ DCFS Immigration Children Services. Interviewed by Esther Gillies. Date of Interview: 2-29-12. Length of interview: 1 hour and 16 minutes. DVD containing interview.