I don't have the lawyers. Larry King, who runs Mecklenburg County's Council for Children, decided five years ago to stop referring families altogether. Because it's in government, it's an ongoing problem. Perry and others defend the agency, citing a 1993 federal study that praised the group's advocacy, efficient administration and staff. Perry, named executive director about three years ago, has made a number of changes, including hiring specialized attorneys and balancing the council's budget for the first time in years.
Supporters point to hundreds of families the council has assisted.
One of them is Jeremy Bradshaw's. Jeremy is hearing impaired, and was at risk of not graduating from high school. His mother worried that his Graham County public school wasn't providing the services Jeremy needed. She called the council, whose advocates worked for two years on Jeremy's behalf. Now, he's about to graduate from high school, and is on the honor roll.