Jenna De Stefano and Ariana Kravetz, students in the Children and Youth Law Clinic, successfully litigated a disability rights hearing on behalf of an 11-year-old child in foster care. The decision is life-changing for the client, who can now receive services like home health aides, speech or occupational therapy, and medical equipment, even after the client becomes an adult.
“Our client loves art and drawing, and these supports will allow her to reach her full potential,” said De Stefano, 3L.
Under the supervision of the clinic’s co-director, Professor Kele Stewart, the students handled all aspects of the case, successfully arguing before a hearing officer that the Agency for Persons with Disabilities was incorrect in denying the client’s eligibility for the Home and Community-Based Services waiver, a federal Medicaid program specially designed to support people with developmental disabilities.
Miami Law’s clinics allow students to learn litigation skills while assisting clients who would otherwise not have access to attorneys. The Children and Youth Clinic represents children in foster care and former foster youth in dependency, health care, mental health, disability, independent living, education, immigration, and other general civil legal matters, ensuring that they have a voice in court proceedings.
De Stefano, who made the opening statement and conducted the direct examination of the clinic’s medical expert, said, “This appeal provided me the opportunity to gain confidence and experience in oral advocacy.”
Kravetz, 2L, who cross-examined witnesses and drafted the proposed order, added, “It was rewarding to do this work for our client who can now benefit from these services.”
“These are challenging cases that are rarely successful in Florida, so this is a testament to the hard work and skill of the students and a huge win for our client,” said Stewart.
The success was a multi-year effort across multiple teams of students. Prior clinic students Nelly Cabrera and Jayci Eskalyo defended a motion to dismiss, conducted a fact investigation, and deposed the agency’s witnesses in the case.
Read more about Miami Law’s clinics.
