Counsel for Kids Spring 2026 Update

Counsel for Kids Year 5

The Counsel for Kids (C4K) Campaign celebrates five years of progress in 2026. Around the country, state advocates are energized by the momentum of legislative victories in the fight to expand youth access to counsel in child protection court proceedings. They eagerly challenge “the way we’ve always done it” with research-backed, federally funded, best practice policy reforms…and they are winning!

Since its inception, the Campaign has:

  • Helped introduce 39 bills;
  • Enacted 13 new state statutes or court rules;
  • Testified at 26 legislative hearings;
  • Submitted written testimony for 52 state legislative hearings;
  • Helped establish or expand the right to counsel in 5 states (AK, MT, ND, NH, WA);
  • Helped improve the quality of children’s legal representation in 9 states (AZ, CA, CO, GA, IL, MO, MT, MS, NM).

Legislative Updates Expanding Youth Access to Legal Counsel

This legislative session, states are taking meaningful steps towards access to justice for children and youth.  

Hawaiʻi’s C4K fight is youth led. Championed by HI H.O.P.E.S. Initiative youth leaders, House Bill 1565 / Senate Bill 2678 would establish and appropriate funds for a working group to improve family court processes, including access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The House passed its bill and transmitted it to the Senate March 6. The Senate Committee on Judiciary passed the companion bill on February 12 and it now awaits hearing by the House Ways and Means Committee. See NACC’s written testimony in support of the proposals.

Illinois House Bill 4966 would guarantee the right to client-directed counsel for youth eight and older who are placed out-of-state. This proposal draws attention to the attorney’s role holding the state accountable for its continuing responsibilities to children in out-of-state placements to ensure they are not subjected to harm, discrimination, or denial of care that would be lawful and medically appropriate under Illinois law. The bill was referred to the House Rules committee on February 6.  

On January 1, South Carolina launched its children’s representation project, led by former NACC State Coordinator and newly appointed State Child Advocate Margaret Bodeman. The study will explore the impact of legal representation on outcomes for youth 13 and older and their siblings in dependency hearings in Berkeley, Sumter, and Clarendon counties. A successful proviso appropriations request the legislature made in 2025 funds this Supreme Court-sanctioned project. It awards a non-recurring $251,520 annually for two years to the Department of Children’s Advocacy. 

Utah House Bill 372, as initially drafted, would guarantee expressed interests legal representation to any child eight or older. The bill was introduced for first reading by the House Rules Committee on January 26 and later assigned to House Judiciary for second reading on February 12. (Subsequent amendments removed the language to change the model of representation for youth over eight.) This proposal inspired community awareness, stakeholder discussions, and intense debate that will support readiness for reform.   

Defending Youth Rights

Arizona Senate Bill 1234 would reverse the 2021 system reform that mandates courts to appoint a client-directed  attorneys to all children in dependency matters. The proposal would require a guardian ad litem and make any appointments of client-directed counsel discretionary. The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Elections and Senate Rules considered and passed the bill.  NACC joined numerous C4K advocates in submitting written opposition testimony.  On March 10 the bill was amended to continue client-directed legal representation of children. It awaits floor review and transmission to the House.  

Colorado House Bill 26-1227 clarifies that children and youth are parties who have standing in their own cases and the related right to have their GAL or Attorney fully represent those interests. The bill also includes a provision that gives youth a right to legal process before the Department dismisses the case over their objection. After public hearing, the House Health and Humans Services committee passed the bill on March 4 and it awaits consideration of the House Committee on Appropriations. NACC submitted this letter of support to committee members.  

An Oregon attorney shortage crisis could impact legal representation for children.  Oregon Public Defense Commission’s proposed budget to the Ways and Means committee would cut funding for children’s legal representation in dependency matters. NACC issued a letter imploring OPDC leadership and legislative committee members to halt this plan and identify other cost saving measures that do not put the legal rights of children and youth in jeopardy. As the legislative session winds down in Oregon, it seems unlikely that the bill will succeed.

Federal Update

The Counsel for Kids Campaign continues to push for change in the 119th Congress.

This session, we’ve been looking more closely at the untapped cost-savings that could be captured through counsel for kids reform. A new report finds that 57,374  foster children in 13 states do not have legal representation. Using conservative assumptions, a federal counsel for kids mandate would generate an “estimated federal savings of between $67.96 million and $145.16 million per year” under Title IV-E (plus additional savings under Medicaid, Title IV-B, state coffers, and more!).

Doing the right thing for kids doesn’t necessarily mean spending more money; sometimes it means investing wisely to save money in the long run.

C4K also submitted written comment to the House Ways and Means Committee following the hearing, “Leaving the Sticky Notes Behind: Harnessing Innovation and New Technology to Help America’s Foster Youth Succeed.” The letter specifically urged Congressional leaders to pass counsel for kids reform and, in the alternative, to amend the “Fostering the Future for American Children and Families Act” to require that HHS’s forthcoming annual scorecards (mandated by recent Executive Order) track legal representation.

C4K was thrilled to see Senator Wyden’s proposed “Better Results through In-community Delivery, Greater Enforcement, and Stronger Services (BRIDGES) for Kids Act,” which – if passed – would require legal representation for children in foster care.

We’ve also continued advocacy with the Executive Branch by submitting comment on Legal Representation Data Collection by Court Improvement Programs and joining a coalition letter urging the federal Administration for Children and Families to include legal representation in their data collection.

New Resources

The Counsel for Kids Campaign is pleased to share several new additions to our toolkit to support C4K policy advocacy.

C4K in the News

On March 5, NACC State Coordinator Rachel Metelits published this op-ed in the Arizona Republic in support of continuing counsel for kids.

In January, local media in New Hampshire and Hawai’i reported on legislative progress championed by the Counsel for Kids campaign.

NACC Chief Legal Officer Allison Green published “Foster Care Executive Order Reveals Opportunities for Bipartisan Progress” in December, highlighting legal representation as a bipartisan issue.

In November, Fox13 Tampa Bay interviewed NACC’s Florida State Coordinator Taylor Sartor about her role as an attorney for children and the critical nature of legal representation for kids in Florida.

The American Bar Association recognized NACC Policy Counsel Natalece Washington as Fearless Children’s Lawyer of the Month for September. The piece highlighted Natalece’s leadership of the Counsel for Kids campaign, among her many accomplishments.

In August, Forbes published attorney Howard Talenfeld’s powerful piece about urgently needed reform in the foster care system, including expanding access to counsel, which cited the Counsel for Kids campaign.

Also in August, NACC’s Allison Green penned “When It Comes to Children’s Rights, Trump Must Set the Record Straight”, urging the administration to align policy on legal representation for children with progress made during the President’s first term.

Spreading the Word

On March 4, Policy Counsel Natalece Washington and Chief Legal Officer, Allison Green, presented with ethics expert Professor Myles V. Lynk at NACC’s Ethics and Professionalism Symposium.

The presentation entitled “Ethical Child Representation: Duties, Considerations, and Conundrums” focused on recent updates to ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.14, the specific responsibilities of a children’s lawyer when their client has decision-making limitations.

They also discussed practice models in states that use non-traditional models of representation. Participants received a chart of dependency ethics opinions from across the country.

On January 23, Policy Counsel Natalece Washington attended the South Carolina Bar Annual Conference Children’s Attorneys convening. She conducted a private training on client-directed advocacy for participating attorneys in the children’s representation pilot project.

On December 18, Policy Counsel Natalece Washington authored, “Ensuring High-Quality Legal Representation for Youth in Foster Care” published in the Child Welfare Leage of America’s Children’s Voice magazine. 

On December 10, the C4K campaign hosted a webinar “Kids Can Be Clients: Honoring Children’s Capacity and Right to Be Heard” to highlight the importance of legal representation for young children ages 6-11. The session challenged frameworks which incorrectly suggest that young children cannot participate in the attorney-client relationship or court proceedings.

The session highlighted how developmental science on executive functioning, communication, reasoning, and judgment supports kids’ meaningful involvement. Panelists shared insights and practical tools for engaging school-age children as decision-makers. Bobbe and Jon Bridge Professor of Child Advocacy, Emeritus Lisa Kelly moderated the panel, which included Attorney Angela Cook, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, and Judge Kathleen J. Kroll.

On October 24, NACC CEO Kim Dvorchak presented “High-quality Legal Representation for Youth in Foster Care” at the annual United States Ombudsman Association conference. The session explored why legal representation is essential for children in child welfare cases, best practices and emerging trends toward client-directed advocacy, and how ombudsman offices can promote access to justice.

On October 7, Policy Counsel Natalece Washington and Chief Legal Officer Allison Green presented “Let Them Speak!: The Integral Role of Youth Counsel in Amplifying Youth Voice” at the annual Kempe Call to Action to Change Child Welfare International Conference. The presentation highlighted the growing recognition that children in foster care should have the same legal protections as those in delinquency proceedings and that representation is essential to protect youth legal rights and reach better case outcomes. 

On September 29, Policy Counsel Natalece Washington addressed undergraduate students in a Drake University (Iowa) Youth Law and Policy course to discuss children’s legal representation and career opportunities in child welfare law. 

Building a pipeline to ensure sufficient workforce to meet the needs of children in foster care is a critical element of ensuring youth right to counsel. 

September 11, NACC Policy Counsel Natalece Washington joined Florida’s Foster Fairness members in tabling at the annual statewide Summit themed “Building a Better Future”. 

During the conference, the group educated key stakeholders on the importance of children’s legal representation and the distinct roles of guardians ad litem and counsel for the child. At the Summit, Washington presented to the Florida Youth Shine lived experience expert group on the value of counsel, the availability of technical assistance, and the importance of youth with lived expertise participating in policy reform initiatives.

On August 11, the Campaign hosted its 5th annual Counsel for Kids conference convening at NACC’s 48th National Child Welfare Law Conference, inviting stakeholders from target states to gather and learn advocacy enhancing information. 

As in 2024, due to mutual interest, NACC integrated the C4K convening with its annual Children’s Law Office Convening. Attendees hailed from C4K target states of Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Montana, and South Carolina and received small scholarships to attend

Attendees participated in three presentations:

  • The Power of Partnership: Judges and Lawyers Uniting to Transform Legal Representation of Children
  • Show Me the Money: Effectively Using Program Evaluation to Secure Program Funding
  • Making Representation a Reality through Co-Design: Leveraging Lived Experience to Inform Policy and Secure Legal Representation for Foster Youth

Technical Assistance

In 2021, the C4K team launched its technical assistance (TA) program to support advocates in their pursuit of youth right to counsel reform. 

The campaign intentionally tailors technical assistance to the specific needs of the recipient and can include legislative analysis, strategic consultation, action planning, creation of advocacy resources, testimony preparation, coalition building, and messaging and communication guidance. The C4K team is committed to tracking the performance of its TA program and optimizing strategies as needed to maximize impact and drive policy reforms. 

To capture how the TA program resonates with individual recipients, we periodically conduct program evaluations. An independent consultant conducted the first evaluation in 2022 and found the program demonstrated indispensable utility, providing relevant expertise that enhanced local advocacy capacity while being sensitive to the social and political context of the state.

The results of the 2025 evaluation reiterate recipients’ high satisfaction with TA, specifically the one-on-one support and campaign strategy and policy analysis received the highest ratings. 

One recipient shared, “We benefitted greatly from information concerning C4K availability nationwide. This helped our coalition develop clear materials to educate legislators, which led to the passage of a bill establishing C4K for foster youth in our state.”

Each evaluation demonstrates continued recipient satisfaction, as the program’s robust suite of tools and services remains a force multiplier for participant advocacy success.

The C4K advocacy toolkit and TA assistance program are key to the campaign’s ongoing success. Accessed by lived experience experts, skilled lobbyists, legislators, legislative staff, and child welfare stakeholders in a variety of roles, these tools drive the growing C4K movement nationwide.  

C4K accepts applications for technical assistance on an ongoing basis and will approve applications as capacity allows. Visit https://counselforkids.org/technical-assistance/ to access the application for technical assistance and to learn more.