The Family Justice Initiative is a national collaborative of children’s attorneys, parents’ attorneys, educators, researchers, and national policy advocates who share a common goal: to increase access to high-quality legal representation for children and parents in child welfare cases. It’s led by the ABA Center on Children and the Law, the Children’s Law Center of California, and the Washington State Office of Public Defense.
Partnering for Families
We are a national initiative working to improve legal representation for families across the United States.
Our Founders
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, Casey Family Programs, Center for Family Representation, and Children's Law Center of California
Learn MoreRecent News and Resources
Read recent news articles, research, and resources.
Quality Legal Representation
High-quality legal representation for parents and children in child welfare proceedings has many benefits, including increased parental engagement, more frequent visitation, and better access to services. Most importantly, quality legal representation for families has been shown to reduce the length of time children must spend in foster care — and in some cases, prevent family…
Pre-Petition Legal Representation for Parents & Youth in Child Welfare
The Family Justice Initiative hosted a webinar on September 23, 2020 on pre-petition legal representation for parents and youth in the child welfare system. Presenters discussed pre-petition representation programs, including funding, getting started, relationship with the child welfare agency as a referral source, best practices and outcomes. Presenters included: · Adam Ballout, Family Intervention Response to…
Special Series: The Moment Is Now
Read Children’s Bureau Express call to action to chart a different course to strengthen families through primary prevention and create a more just and equitable system focused on child and family well-being. This article series consensus statement that stresses how we must all value and invest in families and communities.