The first half of the year was filled with activity for the Counsel for Kids campaign. The campaign supported policy reform in several states, released new and timely resources, as well as participated in multiple engagements to raise awareness about why children in court need lawyers of their own. New Federal Title IV-E Foster Care […]
Author: counselforkids
#Counsel4Kids Social Media Storm – May 1 and May 15
May 1 is Law Day and the start of National Foster Care Month. May 15 is the anniversary of the case In Re Gault – which guaranteed lawyers for youth experiencing the criminal legal system. At the intersection of access to justice and children lies the unfortunate reality that 13 states do not guarantee legal […]
Counsel for Kids Legislative Updates
New Hampshire considered (retained) House Bill 535 (2023) during a closed interim Children and Family Law Committee session on October 31. As amended, it requires the appointment of legal counsel for children placed in institutions or group homes and permits judges to appoint attorneys to any child in child protection court proceedings. The committee made an “ought to […]
NACC Virtual Training Series: High-Quality Legal Representation for Infants and Toddlers
NACC invites all practitioners to join us for our inaugural virtual training series: High-Quality Legal Representation for Infants and Toddlers. Presented by NACC staff, and created in partnership with the ABA Center on Children and the Law, the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, Zero to Three, and the Kempe Center, this first-of-its-kind training series focuses […]
Counsel for Kids Mid-Year Update
The first half of the year has been full of activity for the Counsel for Kids campaign. The campaign supported successful policy reform, released new resources, and held various engagements to spread the word about why children in court need lawyers of their own. Campaign Legislative Progress The C4K campaign celebrates a victory for children […]
Montana Passes Counsel for Kids Legislation
Last week, Montana passed Senate Bill 148, which guarantees right to counsel for children experiencing the child protection system by statute. With the passage of this law, Montana becomes the 37th state to guarantee counsel for kids. The law requires the court to appoint Expressed/Stated-Interest legal counsel in all dependency cases. The Counsel for Kids […]
NACC Releases Policymaker’s Guide to Counsel for Kids as States Fail to Guarantee Legal Representation, Tap Federal Funds
First comprehensive, state-level policy paper to address woeful lack of legal representation for children experiencing the child protection system. April 26, 2023 Contact: Evan Molinari 339-707-0406 [email protected] DENVER, CO. – As states grapple with the unfulfilled promise of justice for all, the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) releases the first comprehensive, state-level guide […]
Sarah Bryer Consulting Evaluates Counsel for Kids Campaign
Executive Summary of Initial Outcome Evaluation of NACC’s Counsel for Kids Campaign by Sarah Bryer Consulting In the spring of 2021, the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) launched a state-based “Counsel for Kids Campaign” (Campaign) to ensure the right to counsel for every child in the child welfare system. The Campaign incorporated twin […]
New Video: Counsel for Kids Promote Race Equity
Pending Legislation Across the Country to Advance Children’s Right to Counsel
Momentum is building around the country to ensure counsel for kids experiencing the child protection system. Florida Senate Bill 488 would expand the categories of dependent children who are entitled to counsel and require the state agency to work directly with the Justice Administrative Commission to obtain Title IV-E funds for children’s legal representation. The bill […]