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.
Oped: Right to Representation in Noncriminal Cases
You can lose your kids, home and freedom without ever seeing a lawyer. It’s a profound injustice. Powerful op-ed from The Washington Post on the right to representation in noncriminal cases.
Trauma Exposure Response
As a child welfare attorney, you are regularly exposed to trauma. Check out this new resource on trauma exposure response for child welfare attorneys.