The National Association of Counsel for Children launches a new campaign, Counsel for Kids, dedicated to ensuring that children in foster care receive lawyers of their own.
With over 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 launches a new campaign, Counsel for Kids, dedicated to ensuring that children in foster care receive lawyers of their own. Counsel for Kids will equip advocates with the skills, tools, and training to amplify the voices of children and youth as key decisions are made about their families and their futures.
No federal law or protection guarantees that children in foster care receive attorneys of their own, and right now 14 states leave youth to navigate complex child welfare proceedings without legal assistance. This campaign launches at a pivotal moment, as Congress considers landmark legislation that would ensure legal counsel for children and parents in these cases.” Absent legal counsel, courts and agencies risk making vital decisions about a child’s home, family, and future without their input.
Counsel for Kids is working to change that by mobilizing advocates and legal professionals to change the law in states that do not currently guarantee legal representation for kids in court.
The campaign provides technical assistance to advocates and organizations around drafting and proposing legislation, building coalitions, strategic policy advocacy, and communications. It will also focus on increasing the number of attorneys representing children and ensuring those lawyers receive the specialized training they need.
Children in court need lawyers of their own. We’re working to make sure they have them. Join the campaign, share your support (#Counsel4Kids), and see the advocacy toolkit at CounselforKids.org.