Tara Ford

Los Angeles • Civil Rights Litigation

Tara Ford is senior counsel at Public Counsel, focusing on civil rights litigation. Her work entails protecting the rights of children and their families across diverse practice areas, from education and special education to healthcare, mental health and advocacy for Native American children, families, and tribes in significant legal matters, the Indian Child Welfare Act and voting rights.

In one federal matter, she represented 14 children in New Mexico's foster care system, along with two organizational plaintiffs, in a lawsuit seeking essential care, stability, treatment and support for New Mexico's 4,700 foster children. Kevin S. v. Blalock, 1:18-cv-00896 (N.M.D.C., filed Sept. 22, 2018).

The case aimed to address the deficiencies in the state's child welfare system. While a settlement agreement was initially reached in March 2020, a new corrective agreement was established in July 2023 to ensure the state's fulfillment of legal obligations and improvements to its foster care system.

In another matter involving minors, Ford's advocacy focused on California's extended foster care program, which aims to provide support for young people transitioning into adulthood. Despite the program's goals, homelessness remained a significant issue for transition-age youth in Los Angeles County's extended foster care.

In August 2023, Ford represented six young people in foster care who filed a class action lawsuit against the State of California and Los Angeles County, challenging the persistent failure of the the county's foster care system to provide essential housing and services that these youth were legally entitled to. Ocean S. v. L.A. County, 2:23-cv-06921 (C.D. Cal., filed Aug. 22, 2023).

"System change requires agencies and stakeholders to commit for the long haul, building buy-in and doing the hard systems work necessary to transform outcomes for youth," Ford said. "Strong shared leadership and partnership with community organizations that work with children, youth and families are also key to reform."

Kevin S. v. Blalock emphasizes the need for a trauma-informed child welfare system, recognizing the adversity that foster youth often experience. The settlement, in this case, paves the way for a trauma-responsive child welfare system. Ocean S. v. L.A. County pushes the boundaries of child welfare litigation by advocating for the equal rights and benefits of transition-age youth, acknowledging the unique challenges they face as they transition into adulthood.

Challenges encountered in these cases include the complexity of the child welfare system, service fragmentation and the intersection of the foster care system with the Medicaid program. Achieving systemic change requires enduring commitment, collaboration, and engagement of community organizations, with a focus on amplifying the voices of young people with lived experience.

Ford also emphasizes the need for close collaboration with children and youth who have experienced the child welfare system.

"In light of the racial bias inherent in the child welfare system, it is imperative that we develop culturally attuned remedies that serve the unique needs of diverse children, their families and communities," she said.