Counsel For Kids
Children in court need lawyers of their own. We’re working to make sure they have them.
In 13 states, the one person at the center of a child welfare court proceeding is the one person
who does not get their own lawyer.
NACC works to change law by providing technical assistance to state advocates working to ensure children have a right to counsel. Learn more on our campaign page.
What You Can Do
- Stay up to date: sign up for emails about Counsel for Kids efforts.
- Follow NACC on social media @NACCchildlaw and #Counsel4Kids
- Check if your state guarantees counsel for kids.
- Advocate for Counsel for Kids at the state or federal level. Contact the campaign to request technical assistance with state-level advocacy.
Get involved! Contact NACC Legal Director Allison Green or NACC Policy Counsel Natalece Washington.
Recent NACC Letters, Federal Advocacy, and Resources
-
Counsel for Kids: How We Established a Statewide Children’s Law Office – Recording
NACC, December 5, 2024
- Counsel for Kids
- Webinar
- Law Office/Agency Management
- Right to Counsel
-
Closing the Justice Gap for Youth in the Foster Care to Prison Pipeline
Kim Dvorchak in Juvenile Justice Update, Winter 2022
- Counsel for Kids
- Policy
- Due Process
- Juvenile Justice
- Right to Counsel
-
Seen, Heard, and Represented: A Policymaker’s Guide to Counsel for Kids
NACC – Counsel for Kids, 2023
- Counsel for Kids
- Policy
- Advocacy
- NACC Guidance
- NACC Publication
- Policy
- Right to Counsel
- Systems Level Resource
-
Right to Counsel National Report Card
Children’s Advocacy Institute|First Star Institute, 2019
- Counsel for Kids
- Policy
- Legal Representation Research
- Right to Counsel
January 2022 Letter to Congress
June 2021 Senate HELP Committee Hearing (Video Recording)
June 2021 Feedback on CAPTA Reauthorization Suggested Language