CPM Founder Cotchett Serves on Blue Ribbon Panel on Foster Care

Joseph W. Cotchett has been appointed to the newly-formed California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care to examine and improve the courts' critical role in foster care. The appointment was made by Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court and Chair of the Judicial Council of California. In announcing the appointment, Chief Justice George said the two-year commission was formed "to develop and implement innovative policy solutions to improve conditions for our state's most vulnerable children and youth." In California, more than 500,000 children -- six percent of the state's population under the age of 18 -- become involved each year in the public child welfare system. Of those, 92,000 live in foster homes, relatives' homes and residential care facilities. Other commission appointments include Associate Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno as chair; Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, Assemblywoman Karen Bass, former State Senator John Burton, Justice Kathryn Doi Todd, Judge Terry B. Friedman, Justice Richard D. Huffman, Judge Susan D. Huguenor, Judge Michael Nash, and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, among others.