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 […]

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 […]