Children's Rights

To empower low-income children and to meet their wide range of needs in civil matters, the project's multidisciplinary staff provides free legal and other advocacy services. Read More

Contact Information

To inquire about eligibility for legal services, please call:

213-385-2977, x 500

Calls are received on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays only.

Please note that the Children's Rights Project does not assist with family law matters including child support, visitation and custody between parents.

News
Publications
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Seminars & Clinics
Useful Materials

Los Angeles Schools End Suspensions for 'Willful Defiance' to Keep Students Learning The LAUSD school board has approved a School Climate Bill of Rights that will help schools reduce suspensions of students for minor behavioral issues, and implement alternatives that will support students and improve school cultures.
Public Counsel Announces New Families Forever Project with $1 Million Grant As former foster youth and their new adoptive families celebrate National Adoption Day on November 16, Public Counsel will announce a first-of-its-kind project to help newly formed Los Angeles families stay together and thrive.
Get Public Counsel's 2011-2012 Annual Report More cases, more impact, more amazing stories. Get the full story in Public Counsel's 2011-2012 Annual Report.
FixSchoolDiscipline.org Takes on California School Suspension Crisis Public Counsel launches FixSchoolDiscipline.org to put a spotlight on solutions for California's school suspension crisis. Students received more than 2 million suspensions over the last three years.
Report Exposes Truancy Ticket Failure as LA City Council Takes Historic Action Students, teachers and parents watched as the Los Angeles City Council Public Safety Committee approved historic changes to the city’s daytime curfew law intended to support student attendance. Report shows truancy and tardy tickets deter students from showing up to class.
Public Counsel Applauds New $1 Million Grant to Restore Youths' Futures Youth who wind up in the juvenile justice system too often lose out on their futures too. But a new $1 million grant aims to restore hope for more than 1,200 youth in South Los Angeles.
How a Remarkable Adoption Led to Statewide Change for Children Gov. Jerry Brown has signed SB 368, a little-noticed law that will make a huge difference for children with serious emotional, medical and self-care needs in the foster-care system. The law, authored by California Sen. Carol Liu, was the result of a remarkable family adoption by Public Counsel and the law firm of Reed Smith LLP.
Nation's Largest School Police Force Joins LAPD in Reducing Tickets to Students Responding to disturbing evidence about how tickets target students of color and families who can least afford to pay, the Los Angeles School Police Department has changed its protocols to cut the number of curfew tickets and support graduation efforts.
Transit Plan Puts Former Foster Youth in Driver's Seat For many former Los Angeles foster youth learning to live on their own, just getting around town can be an expensive ordeal. Now a new plan could make it easy to catch a bus or train and connect with work, school and family in Los Angeles County.
'We Are Public Counsel': Snapshots from the 2011 Pro Bono Awards Public Counsel celebrates the attorneys and professionals who helped us provide free legal help and change thousands of lives. "Our honorees are talented attorneys and professionals and they are making our city and nation a better place to live," said President and CEO Hernan Vera.
Public Counsel Efforts Lead to LAPD Commitment to Reduce Curfew Tickets, Help Students Succeed For years, Los Angeles students have been caught up in police curfew sweeps that target African American and Latino youth. That could change when a revised LAPD protocol goes into effect on April 1 as a result of Public Counsel's efforts.
Students, Families and Teachers Kick Off a 'Drive for Dignity' to Keep Youth on Track Students, families and teachers kicked off a Drive for Dignity on Tuesday, May 24, to put the focus on major efforts to keep students in school and "on the road" to their future.
South L.A. Schools Are Swapping Student Suspensions for Better Support Too many students face discipline or even suspension for behavior issues that start at home. It's part of the "pushout" crisis of students leaving early, and it especially affects African American students. Now South L.A. schools are leading the way to keep students in school.
Public Counsel Speaks Out as LA County Takes a Critical Step to Protect Youth Leaving Foster Care System Public Counsel spoke out as the LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ambitious plan to protect youth as they age out of the child welfare system.
Public Counsel and its Allies Restore Mental Health Services for Students A federal court in Los Angeles approved a stipulated injunction this month which will temporarily restore educationally-related mental health services to California and Los Angeles County students who require the services to stay in school.
Public Counsel and Its Allies File Class Action to Restore Mental Health Services Cut By Governor A class action lawsuit to preserve lifeline services for more than 20,000 students was filed today in federal court by Public Counsel, Disability Rights California, Mental Health Advocacy Services and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. For almost 25 years California has been providing critical "AB 3632" services through county mental health departments to special education students who need mental health support to stay in school. The services include crisis counseling, case management, medication management and residential placement. Read more...
Children with Autism Regain Important Therapy Through Class Action Lawsuit Over 200 low-income children with autism were dealt a blow when the East Los Angeles Regional Center threatened to cut off their floortime therapy - a therapy that helps build critical communication and social interaction skills. Public Counsel and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP filed a class-action lawsuit and obtained an injunction to stop the cut. Read more...
Teenagers in Foster Care Fight for a "Normal" Adolescence Four teenage siblings living in foster care had their lives turned upside down when their school district labeled them severely emotionally disturbed and removed them from public school. Public Counsel helped them challenge this placement and fought for changes to the way the state educates other foster youth in group homes.
Homeless Students are Back on the Bus to School Public Counsel and other advocates fight to ensure that homeless children receive appropriate transportation to be able to finish the school year.
His Brother's Keeper When Elsa learned that her death was imminent, her most pressing concern was for her two children. She feared her 11 year-old son Manuel would be put in foster care and separated from his 18 year-old brother Jose-Luis. Public Counsel's Peace of Mind Project helped Jose-Luis become guardian to Manuel.
Sister and Brother Reunited in a New Loving Family "Jaime" and "Jennifer" were scared and confused after their mother overdosed on drugs, their father abandoned them and they were removed from their home. Because Child Protective Services could not find a relative to take the children, they were placed in separate emergency foster homes--losing their last semblance of a family.
Settlement of Landmark Lawsuit Alleging Failure to Provide Education to Youth Detained at Camp Challenger LOS ANGELES, November 4, 2010 - The parties today announced the settlement of a landmark class action lawsuit filed against Los Angeles County agencies alleging the failure to provide a constitutionally adequate education to youth detained at Camp Challenger, the County's largest juvenile detention facility.
Public Counsel Celebrates National Adoption Day in Los Angeles Adoptions for 130 foster children were finalized on Friday, November 19, 2010 as part of the 11th Annual National Adoption Day. National Adoption Day in Los Angeles is a collaborative effort of Public Counsel, the Los Angeles Juvenile Court, the Alliance for Children's Rights and the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services.
School Districts Again Responsible for Mental Health Services Last week, California returned full legal responsibility for providing educationally-related mental health services to special education students back to school districts. This crucial program for providing mental health services for children is known as AB 3632, or, in some counties, "Chapter 26.5" or "AB 2726."
Los Angeles Children's Groups Announce Nation's First 'Families Forever' Project to Help Adoptive Families Stay Together and Thrive As former foster youth and their new adoptive families celebrate National Adoption Day on November 16, Public Counsel and the Alliance for Children's Rights will announce a first-of-its-kind project to help newly formed Los Angeles families stay together and thrive.
Parents, Students, Civil Rights Groups Say LAUSD 'Leading the Way for the State' to Reduce Suspensions Parents, students and civil rights groups representing the Dignity in Schools Campaign said California's largest school district is "leading the way for the state" after school board members voted unanimously on Thursday, June 28, to support statewide legislation to reduce the high number of out of school suspensions.
FixSchoolDiscipline.org Takes on California School Suspension Crisis Public Counsel has launched FixSchoolDiscipline.org to support common-sense solutions to California's school suspension epidemic. California students received more than 700,000 school suspensions or expulsions, many for minor behavioral issues that can be handled in school.
Los Angeles Civil Rights Organizations Applaud Adoption of School Attendance Reform Recommendations by Education Coordinating Council Public Counsel and other groups release a statement of support as Los Angeles County law enforcement, agencies, courts and others call for significant reforms to every county agency that interacts with youth who struggle with attendance, including courts, police, and schools.
Los Angeles Juvenile Courts Will Dismiss Curfew Tickets for Students on Their Way to School and Direct Students to Supportive Services Los Angeles’ top judge for juvenile courts has released new guidelines to eliminate fines and unnecessary court time for students who were late to school and for other minor offenses. The court will also direct students who miss school to school- and community-based resources that are shown to improve academic achievement and get struggling students back on track. It’s the latest step forward to reforming Los Angeles daytime curfew rules and truancy ticketing.
Statement: Report Shows Time Is Now for Los Angeles to End Discrimination in School Discipline A report released on Oct. 25, 2011, shows Los Angeles schools falling far behind on implementing a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support policy to reduce out of school suspensions, particularly of students of color, and improve graduation rates, student performance and school culture. Here are steps the school board can take to support students.
Civil Rights Groups Announce Los Angeles School Police Department Plan to Reduce Curfew Tickets That Have Targeted Students of Color The Los Angeles School Police Department has unveiled protocols intended to reduce the number of daytime curfew tickets written to students. The revised procedures are a result of collaboration and discussions between Public Counsel, the Community Rights Campaign, the ACLU of Southern California, Children’s Defense Fund, CADRE, and Youth Justice Coalition -- groups that work to keep students in school -- and Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) leaders.
Los Angeles Civil Rights Organizations Respond to City Councilman Tony Cardenas' Motion to Fix the Daytime Curfew Law Los Angeles civil rights groups released a statement as city councilman proposes to fix student curfew law that hurts students and fails to prevent crime.
South Los Angeles Schools Set Historic Goals to Keep Youth in School and Decrease Disproportionate Discipline for African-American Students South Los Angeles schools are leading the way to support students with behavioral issues so they stay in school. They are setting ambitious goals to reduce suspensions and implement a research-based policy with proven results.
Students and Civil Rights Groups Announce Revised LAPD Protocol to Reduce Curfew Tickets That Have Targeted Students of Color Parents, students and civil rights groups announce revised Los Angeles Police Department procedures aimed to reduce the number of daytime curfew tickets written to students, particularly African American and Latino students.
Youth Advocate Wins California Lawyer of the Year Award for Work Transforming Education in Broken Los Angeles County Probation System LOS ANGELES -- Last year, Laura Faer was part of a team that tackled one of the nation's most troubled education systems: the Challenger probation camp in Los Angeles County. Teachers at the county's largest probation camp missed classes, punished students who asked for instruction, and awarded a high school diploma to a student who was illiterate. Today Faer, directing attorney for the Children's Rights Project at Public Counsel, was named California Lawyer of the Year for her work to help thousands of youth in the juvenile justice system.
Educationally-Related Mental Health Services Restored A federal court in Los Angeles today approved a stipulated injunction which will temporarily restore educationally-related mental health services to California and Los Angeles County students who require the services to stay in school.
Human Rights Report Reveals Non-Compliance in Schools Primary findings released from their report, Redefining Dignity in Our Schools: A Shadow Report on School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Implementation in South Los Angeles, 2007-2010.
Court Orders Reinstatement of Treatment for Children with Autism The Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday issued a preliminary injunction in the class action lawsuit filed on behalf of children with autism
Settlement Announced: Los Angeles County to Increase Juvenile Hall Safety for Youth with Developmental Disabilities Los Angeles, CA - On December 14, 2010, after an investigation showed that youth with disabilities are often in danger while housed in juvenile hall and that youth with developmental disabilities were detained 6 to18 months longer than others because of the lack of available community placements, a settlement with Los Angeles County has been reached that will launch critical reforms. The investigation was carried out by Disability Rights California, Public Counsel, Disability Rights Legal Center, Hunton & Williams, and Traber & Voorhees because of serious problems that had been reported to the advocacy groups.
Attorneys Announce "Objectives Are Met": Mental Health Services Flow to California Children After Lawsuit March 22, 2011 - Today, Public Counsel Law Center, Disability Rights California, Disability Rights Legal Center, Mental Health Advocacy Services, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher announced that they have achieved their immediate objectives in the federal lawsuit they filed regarding termination of state funding for educationally related mental health services for California special education students, and have filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice, except as to the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and its director which fully settled the case with the named plaintiffs and is being dismissed with prejudice.
Class Notice in Landmark Settlement with Los Angeles County Office of Education and Probation Department You can view the Spanish and English class notices in the Casey A. v. Gundry, et al. matter here. The class action settlement involves Camp Challenger in Lancaster, County, which refers to the following six camps in Lancaster, California: Camp Jarvis, Camp McNair, Camp Onizuka, Camp Resnick, Camp Scobee, and Camp Smith.
Daily News: LAUSD truancy-diversion program keeps violators out of the courts Chronically truant students will be referred to city-run youth centers rather than funneled into the criminal justice system under a program debuting in Los Angeles Unified.
Daily Journal: Litigators take up the fight for state court funds Public Counsel is part of a major new effort to protect California courts from cuts that hurt the public.
Daily News: Truancy policy tuneup in works City officials are taking a new look at a school truancy crackdown effort that some fear has become simply a harassment campaign against kids in minority and poor neighborhoods.
KPCC: LAPD eases daytime curfew enforcement on teens The Los Angeles Police Department has agreed to ease daytime curfew laws amid complaints that officers are indiscriminately handing out tens of thousands of tickets to high school students. Public Counsel's Hernan Vera speaks out against "kids in L.A. being ticketed by the Los Angeles Police Department minutes before the bell rang. Kids being ticketed, handcuffed and put into police cars for being late for school."
Sacramento Bee: Ruling on teacher layoffs a beacon of equity for kids In response to a lawsuit filed by Public Counsel and others, Judge Highberger enjoined the Los Angeles Unified School District from laying off wildly disproportionate numbers of teachers at three middle schools in low-income neighborhoods.
L.A. Unified barred from budgetary teacher layoffs at three schools Court ruling, in case brought by Public Counsel and others, is meant to help the poor-performing campuses, which have been badly hit by the fiscal crisis.
L.A. middle school, students struggle under budget cuts Public Counsel attorney Catherine Lhamon quoted in story about a lawsuit the organization has filed with others, alleging that the teacher layoffs constitute a violation of the constitutional rights of inner city students.
Civil rights group suing LAUSD, state over teacher layoffs A group of civil rights lawyers, including Catherine Lhamon of Public Counsel, sued Los Angeles Unified and the state Wednesday, claiming that a combination of budget cuts and teacher layoffs at three low-performing middle schools violated the legal rights of students to a fair and equal education.
Families Sue Over Discontinued Autism Therapy Families of autistic children in eastern Los Angeles County filed a class-action lawsuit today against the nonprofit agency that provides them with state-funded services. Laura Faer, an attorney with the Public Counsel, filed the suit on behalf of the families in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Children's Rights Project Booklet
Redefining Dignity in Our Schools A Shadow Report on School-Wide Positive Behavior Support Implementation in South Los Angeles, 2007-2010.
Caring for Another Person's Child - Manual A Guide for Non-Parent Caregivers in Los Angeles County
Regional Center Basics Regional centers are non-profit corporations that contract with the State Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide services for people with developmental disabilities.
Adoption Project White Paper The history of the Adoption Project in Los Angeles County
The Adoption Tax Credit [2005 - 2009] If you adopted a child between January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2009, you may benefit from a 2010 change in tax law.
The Adoption Tax Credit [2010] If you adopted a child in 2010, you may be eligible for an adoption tax credit of up to $13,170.
The Adoption Tax Credit [2011] If you adopted a child in 2011 you may be eligible for an adoption tax credit of up to $13,360.
The Adoption Tax Credit [2012] If you adopted a child in 2012, you may be eligible for an adoption tax credit of up to $12,650 for each child you adopted. The tax credit can be used to reduce the amount you owe in federal income taxes.
School Discipline School discipline should both serve a purpose and remain consistent with the child's right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
Disciplina Escolar
Education: California School Rights and Responsibilities with a focus on Los Angeles Unified School District
California Foster Youth Education Law Factsheets Fact Sheets published by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force
Special Education This brochure covers issues relating to special education and related services, including students' and parents' rights and responsibilities
Educacion Especial Derechos y Responsabilidades de Estudiantes y Padres
School Discipline - Attorney Manual
Guardianship of the Person and the Pro Per Guardianship Clinic This pamphlet is designed for parents and caregivers who have questions about guardianship. It describes the guardianship process and how to access help through Public Counsel's Pro Per Guardianship Clinic.
Guardianship of the Person-Attorney Manual This manual is written for attorneys handling guardianship cases pro bono through Public Counsel, and is designed to give a step-by-step overview of the guardianship process.
Peace of Mind Program-Joint Guardianship of the Person The Peace of Mind Program provides parents who live with a life-threatening illness with the Peace of Mind that their children will be cared for.
Tranquilidad de Conciencia
Immigration: What Teens Need to Know
Inmigracion lo que Jovenes Deberian saber
Understanding the Juvenile Delinquency System This pamphlet was written especially for young people in the juvenile delinquency system.
Entendiendo/ Conociendo-El sistema Este folleto fue escrito para jovenes involucrados con el sistema de justicia juvenil
Sealing your Juvenile Records This pamphlet explains what it means to seal juvenile records, who qualifies to have their juvenile records sealed, and how to go about doing it.
Sellando Tu Expediente Juvenil Este folleto explica lo que quiere decir "Sellar el Expediente Juvenil," quien tiene derecho a sellar su expediente juvenil, y como hacerlo.
A Guide for Teens to Welfare and Health Care Programs
ABCs of Transition and the Independent Living Program Informational Manual for Transitioning Foster Youth and Their Caregivers
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption This form includes the procedures for eligible California high school graduates to request exemption from nonresident tuition rates at public colleges and universities in California
Consent & Confidentiality What Teens Should Know About Medical and Dental Care
Get the Truth about Teen Dating and Violence & Domestic Violence
Is My Baby Safe? Straight Talk to Teen Parents On Child Abuse and Neglect
Legal Issues For Teen Families Information for teen parents about obtaining a baby's birth certificate; paternity; child custody and visitation; and marriage
Pregnant? A Teen Parent? Protect your Future -- Stay In School!
Sex? Choices for Teens
So You Want to Become Emancipated?
Statutory Rape: What You Should Know
Teens in Foster Care and Their Babies
IPP and IFSP Advocacy Manual This manual is intended to help anyone interested in advocating for regional center consumers to ensure they receive the services they need. This includes attorneys, social workers, volunteers, caregivers, parents, and Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs).
AB 1933 This document contains a list of frequently asked questions and answers related to AB 1933, the bill that amended Section 48853.5 of the California Education Code, thereby allowing a foster child to remain in his/her school of origin for as long as the child is in foster care. It contains definitions of relevant terms and discusses practical implications of the bill.
A Model Code on Education and Dignity All children and youth have a human right to quality public education in safe and supportive environments, providing a foundation for access to higher education, meaningful employment and full participation in society. Although a commitment to public education is a principle deeply rooted in U.S. history and society, our current educational policies and practices fail to reflect that commitment and result in millions of young people being pushed out of school every year.

Pro Per Guardianship Clinic Public Counsel's Skadden Arps Pro Per Guardianship Clinic assists with legal guardianship petitions for adults caring for children whose parents cannot or will not properly care for them. The clinic also assists with petitions for visitation and termination of guardianship.
Teen Legal Clinic (Roosevelt HIgh School) Located on Roosevelt High School campus, this clinic provides high school students assistance with legal problems and referrals to other services.

FAQ About the Children's Rights Project Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Children's Rights Project.
Surviving the Economic Challenge - Useful Materials for Individuals and Families Have you or someone in your family lost your home or job? Are you or your family struggling to stay in your home and meet your financial obligations due to the economic downturn? This document contains helpful information about legal issues that you may be facing, and referrals to social service agencies that can assist with your specific needs.