Appointing legal counsel is necessary to protect the rights of every child involved in a child welfare proceeding.
Learn about and advocate for counsel for kids:
Learn about Counsel for Kids
Start a Campaign in your State
Messaging Tools
Technical assistance
Ready to join the campaign? Apply for technical assistance!
Already have counsel for kids in your state, but want help improving quality, access, or funding? Check out these resources:
Centralized Law Offices
Learn how to start an effective children’s law office with our publication: Children’s Law Office Guidebook
Watch the webinar: How We Established a Statewide Children’s Law Office
Raise awareness about the importance of a children’s law office by writing an op-ed: How to Write and Place an Op-Ed
Learn how other states are offering counsel for kids: Right to Counsel Map and Detailed State Chart
Client-Directed Legal Representation
Learn why states should utilize client-directed legal representation: 10 Reasons Client Directed Legal Representation for Children is Best Practice
Explore our Client Advocacy FAQs
High-Quality Legal Representation
Learn about advocating for children and youth with these tipsheets:
- Tipsheet: Advancing Children’s Educational Rights
- Tipsheet: Advancing Legal Rights for Immigrant Youth
- Tipsheet: Advancing Legal Rights for Crossover Youth
Recommendations for Representation of Children and Youth
Additional resources on high-quality legal representation: Resources: High Quality Legal Rep
Accessing Funds
ACF’s Rule (May 2024) allows title IV-E funds to be utilized for high-quality legal representation. Lear about the rule: Feds Finalize New Rule
Learn about Leveraging Title IV-E to Advance High-Quality Legal Representation & Training
See a report detailing State Utilization of Title IV-E Funding to Support High Quality Legal Representation
Listen to the podcast: Rule-A-Palooza! Family Legal Representation with Allison Green
