The National Association of Counsel for Children and partners recently delivered a letter to Congress endorsing access to legal counsel for children and parents in child welfare proceedings through Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) reauthorization. Signed by over 750 individuals and organizations, the letter encompasses widespread support from nearly every corner of the child welfare field, including […]

The Counsel for Kids campaign rang in the New Year with the melody of multi-state legislative action to advance children’s right to counsel.  Three states have made children’s legal representation a priority area for policy development.    In Florida, Senator Lauren Book sponsored SB 948 in a renewed effort to establish a Statewide Office of Child Representation and guarantee counsel for children in licensed foster care homes.  […]

When it comes to court, it’s every foster child for themselves in some Florida counties. Florida is one of 14 states that does not guarantee a foster child will get a lawyer during court proceedings, according to the National Association of Counsel for Children. “A lot of these kids — they’ve been abused and neglected,” […]

A bill before Indiana lawmakers could require juvenile judges to appoint attorneys for children in the foster care system. Senate Bill 180 would require a judge to appoint an attorney to represent cases involving children in need of services (CHINS) and termination of parental rights (TPR). Currently, a judge can choose whether to appoint an attorney to represent a […]

The Indiana Senate is considering a bill that would provide counsel for youth experiencing foster care in Indiana. SB 180 advanced unanimously through the Family and Children Services Committee and now moves to the Appropriations Committee. “Children really need a team, and a complete team, that ensures that their legal rights are protected,” said Joshua […]

Florida children in certain kinds of proceedings would automatically be appointed an attorney under this legislation. Sen. Lauren Book’s bill that would guarantee an attorney is appointed for children in the state’s care advanced in committee Tuesday — but not before the bill drew heartbreaking testimony both for and against. The Senate Democratic Leader’s legislation (SB 948) […]

Wyoming’s GAL Program History By Stacey Obrecht, JD, CWLS, and Joe Belcher, JD This article was originally published in the Winter 2021 issue of The Guardian.

Right to counsel policy reform depends on the leadership and support of legislative champions to flourish. When a learned and respected politician guides a bill through the lawmaking process, it builds targeted support among influential legislators, coalesces agreement among committee staffers, and eventually helps secure the votes needed to pass a bill into law. Legislative […]

Parents in a child welfare case in Indiana can get a free attorney to stand up for their rights—but not children. Child Advocates has broken new ground and is standing up for youth justice by launching a program where older children receive representation from an attorney. Find out how the Direct Representation program is changing […]

Oh Baby, You Need A Lawyer! Video Recording Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS, NACC Policy Counsel, presented at the ZERO to THREE conference in October, 2021. Presentation begins around 2:30 mark. Washington, N. (2021, October). Oh Baby, You Need a Lawyer. ZERO TO THREE Annual Conference 2021. For more content like this, visit ZERO TO THREE to purchase […]