Children have both legal needs and legal rights. To empower low-income children and to meet their wide range of needs in civil matters, Public Counsel’s Children’s Rights Project’s multidisciplinary staff provides free legal and other advocacy services.

ADOPTIONS PROJECT

The Adoptions Project provides representation to parents adopting children currently in the foster care system. Located at the Edelman Children’s Court in Monterey Park, the Adoptions Project, with the help of pro bono volunteers, completes adoptions for hundreds of children annually, thereby ensuring the children enjoy a lasting family relationship. Before completing the adoptions, staff and volunteers advocate for adequate adoption benefits, Regional Center services, special education and other services.

TEEN LEGAL CLINIC/SCHOOL-BASED LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

The Teen Legal Clinic program offers legal assistance to high school students throughout Los Angeles. Located on high school campuses, the clinics are staffed by a Public Counsel attorney and volunteers. The project provides direct assistance to students with legal problems, education about legal issues, and referrals to social service and other legal assistance providers. In addition, the program provides assistance to families at Community Legal Clinics as part of a holistic approach to addressing the legal and social needs of children.

LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP

Public Counsel staff and volunteers run a pro per guardianship clinic at the Probate Court in downtown Los Angeles three days a week for adults caring for children whose parents cannot or will not properly care for them. At any stage in a child’s life prior to age 18, a legal guardianship can be established when the biological parents are no longer able or available to care for the child. Some cases are referred to the main office for legal representation and social work support. In those cases, the proposed guardian and child are interviewed by a social worker and have a voice in the decisions impacting the child’s future. The clinic also assists pro per litigants with conservatorship and guardianship of the estate.

PEACE OF MIND PROGRAM

For children of terminally ill parents, the Peace of Mind program provides legal assistance and intensive social worker support to establish a joint guardianship between the parent and another adult chosen by the parent and consented to by the child. The program helps ensure stability in children’s lives, by providing comforting assurance that a legal plan exists for continuing care for the children after their parent’s death.

Public Counsel social workers support families during the final stages of a parent’s illness, helping to establish a vital supportive link between the terminally ill parent and the future caregiver. In addition, staff helps families access community services, counseling and government benefits.

SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS

Public Counsel staff and volunteers provide immigration assistance to vulnerable children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents. To that end, Staff provides legal representation to children who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) and Lawful Permanent Residency.

PREGNANT AND PARENTING MINORS

Pregnant and parenting teens confront multiple challenges regarding their rights and responsibilities as minor parents. The Children’s Rights Project provides support and legal guidance to pregnant and parenting teens on matters relating to paternity, custody, visitation and child support, access to government benefits, education, medical and mental health care, and other related issues. The project also facilitates education workshops to pregnant and parenting teens and to case managers, school personnel and others who serve these youth.

DEPENDENT CHILDREN’S TORT PROGRAM & GUARDIANS AD LITEM

The Children’s Rights Project works with the Dependency Court to ensure that children can exercise their legal rights when they are injured in the foster care system. The Children’s Rights Project recruits, trains and provides technical support to pro bono guardians ad litem for children and also locates pro bono attorneys to represent children in certain matters.

EDUCATION

The Children’s Rights Project assists parents in obtaining assessments, special education, 504 services, mental health care and related services for children with disabilities. Staff and pro bono advocates work to ensure that children receive a free and appropriate education (“FAPE”). Parents are also represented at Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) meetings, mediations, 504 meetings and administrative hearings. Staff also conducts trainings for parents and providers on children’s rights with respect to educational matters.

In addition, parents are provided with assistance in representing children undergoing discipline related proceedings at school such as opportunity transfers, suspensions and expulsions. Staff and pro bono advocates provide representation at hearings and appeals.

ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

The Children’s Rights Project assists families whose children are under court jurisdiction and who are regional center clients. Our team also advocates for regional center eligible children involved in the adoption process. Staff and pro bono volunteers assist families in navigating the systems of care to ensure these children receive the specialized services and supports to which they are entitled.

EMANCIPATING FOSTER YOUTH

Public Counsel provides legal services to youth exiting the foster care system to help them access government and other benefits to which they are entitled. Public Counsel conducts outreach and training to emancipating youth and community-based organizations on legal issues impacting foster youth as they prepare for independent living. Public Counsel has formed partnerships with community organizations who provide services for foster youth.

INTAKE LINE

Children, youth and caregivers receive help from Public Counsel staff on child-related matters such as government benefits, foster care benefits, mental health services, teen parents, emancipation and Regional Center services.

TRAINING AND OUTREACH

The Children’s Rights Project conducts training for volunteer attorneys, as well as trainings for bench officers and court personnel, schools, community agencies, youth, and families. Staff participates in conferences on important issues concerning youth and children. Trainings for attorneys include topics that reflect current client needs and qualify for minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) credits.

Last updated: Monday, November 5, 2007 11:07 AM