David L Levy

David L. Levy (born 1936-December 11, 2014) was a children's rights activist. The National Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL) presented Levy with the 2011 Charles Ballard Advocacy Award at NPCL's conference in Washington, D.C. In 1985, Levy co-founded The National Council for Children's Rights, renamed The Children's Rights Council in 1992. Levy served as Board President until October 2009. He was the CEO from its inception until he became Board President on July 25, 2008. CRC is a global non-profit organization dedicated to protecting a child's right to have two parents and an extended family, regardless of the parents' marital status. Levy is President emeritus of CRC. He published "Revolt of the Animals", a fantasy novel, in 2010, and has completed a book entitled "Child in the Middle," which, though unpublished, has been cited with Levy's permission by authors of other books, including a book by Dr. Ron Mincy of Columbia University, an authority on research affecting never-married parents and their children. Levy has completed another book, "Viktor IV" about a modern artist who lived on a houseboat in the Amstel River in Holland from 1961-86. Levy knew Viktor IV when they were both students at the university of Florida. Levy has authored four books, all on different topics, fiction and non-fiction. Levy is co-director of the Children's Rights Fund for Maryland, an organization advocating joint custody (shared parenting) for children of separation, divorce, and never-married parents. The Fund also provides low cost attorneys for parents in need affected by custody and access (visitation) issues. Levy was appointed by MD Governor Martin O'Malley to the Child Custody Decision-Making Commission in the Fall of 2013. The Commission has held hearings around the state, and is now working on legislative proposals to be presented to the 2015 Maryland legislature. Levy also provides supervised visitations in the Washington, D.C. area and consults on custody related topics in the U.S. and abroad. He also provides job shadowing to help prepare young people for careers and jobs.

A native of Yonkers, New York, Levy attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958 prior to matriculating to the University of Florida Law School from which he received his juris doctorate in 1961. He spent a year in Israel (1969–1970), and upon his return to the U.S., he wrote freelance articles for The Washington Post and other publications.

As President of the CRC, Levy directed the Board of Trustees to strengthen families and reduce the trauma of divorce to children through supporting legislation and programs which favor Shared Parenting (joint custody) mediation, liberal access/parenting time, and emotional and financial child support. Levy edited CRC's quarterly newsletter, "Children”. Levy was responsible for CRC's 16 national conferences that attracted judges, lawyers, researchers, educators, elected officials, and custody reform activists. Levy also helped to guide the organization's access and visitation centers that provide neutral drop off and pick-up of children and supervised access (visitation). The flagship parenting time centers are in Prince George's County, Maryland, with a grant provided by the Prince George's County Circuit Court.

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