Poway: King Family Announces New Direction For Chelsea's Light

With the passage of a major sex offender law behind them, the parents of slain Poway teenager Chelsea King announced a five-point action plan Wednesday for the nonprofit foundation that bears their daughter's name.

Signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last month, Chelsea's Law toughened the state's restrictions and penalties on sex offenders.

Brent and Kelly King and their Chelsea's Light Foundation played major roles in getting the law passed after convicted sex offender John Gardner pleaded guilty to raping and killing 17-year-old Chelsea last February and 14-year-old Escondido resident Amber Dubois in February 2009.

The Kings, who run the foundation with Chelsea's uncle, Chuck McCully, laid out their new plans for the nonprofit in a three-page letter posted on the nonprofit's Facebook page.

The letter said the foundation will focus on uniting and leading people who are passionate about protecting children and inspiring positive change in their communities:

The five programs unveiled Wednesday:

A nationwide expansion of Chelsea's Law. The letter said a newly formed exploration committee will research existing laws in Colorado, Florida, Ohio and Texas before deciding in the next two months which of those four states it will target first.

A Sunflower Scholarship Fund offering students financial assistance with college tuition and extracurricular activities.

A peer counseling start-up and support program. The program will fund a new peer counseling program, similar to the program Chelsea was involved in at Poway High School, at an as-yet-named California high school and provide small grants to existing peer counseling programs doing work.

An outreach and support program for victims of child predators. The program might also provide retraining and life-skills education to individuals who become single parents because the other parent is removed from the home after committing a sexual offense involving a child.

A school safety curriculum that focuses on keeping children safe from predators.

Gardner, who admitted to killing Chelsea and Amber, was sentenced in May to three consecutive terms of life in prison with no chance of parole.

The Kings moved to Illinois in July. They could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

However, the couple's letter said they plan to add three non-family members to the foundation's board of directors in the next 30 days, with a 10-member board being the eventual goal.

The couple also acknowledged the foundation's action plan is ambitious and will take time to accomplish.

"Chelsea was a long distance runner and with her spirit still guiding us, we are in this together for the long haul," the Kings wrote.

Go to http://www.chelseaslight.org to volunteer with or donate to the foundation.

Call staff writer Andrea Moss at 760-739-6654.