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 […]

In 2016, the Washington State Legislature created the Dependent Child Legal Representation Program to study offering “Standards-Based Legal Representation to all dependent youth in Grant and Lewis counties”. In comparison to two control counties, the study found that children with representation were 45% more likely to achieve reunification and saw a 30% reduction in placement […]

For Immediate Release October 28, 2021 Lawmakers considering historic proposal through Child Abuse, Prevention, and Treatment Act reauthorization WASHINGTON — As Congress considers legislation to reauthorize the Child Abuse, Prevention, and Treatment Act (CAPTA), hundreds of national, state, and local organizations signed a letter urging congressional leaders to guarantee legal counsel for children and parents […]

Counsel for Kids works to change laws to guarantee children a right to counsel  DENVER, CO. — With 673,000 children navigating America’s child welfare courts every year and enduring concerns about unequal access to justice, today the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) launches a new campaign, Counsel for Kids, dedicated to ensuring that children in foster care receive lawyers of their own. A first-of-its-kind effort, Counsel for Kids will equip advocates with the skills, tools, and training to amplify the voices […]

On October 25, 2021 NACC and partners 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 foster youth-led […]

Road to Change – How 3 States Achieved Right to Counsel for Children November 3, 2021 3:00pm-4:30pm EST Join us to hear three separate accounts of the journey to right to counsel policy reform at the state level.   Policy advocates from Arkansas, Washington, and Arizona will share the challenges faced and the strategies most effective in garnering support for legislation guaranteeing right to counsel for children and youth in […]

https://www.naccchildlaw.org/page/YouthVoices

https://www.kold.com/2021/04/15/gov-ducey-signs-law-appointing-lawyers-every-child-foster-care/