National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation
The National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation (NACCLR) guides NACC’s work.
The National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation guides NACC’s work. Members of the Advisory Council are young professionals with lived expertise in the child welfare system. They advise the Board of Directors, provide guidance to staff, and help the organization pursue its mission.
NACC believes the perspectives of people with lived experience in unjust systems should be central in reform efforts. People without personal experience lack the insight of someone who has navigated the child welfare system. Lived experience experts see what others cannot. The field should always authentically, intentionally, and thoughtfully engage lived experience experts when pursuing justice, equity, and systems change.
The Advisory Council helps NACC center the perspectives and priorities of people with lived experience and stay true to our values of inclusion, justice, and empowerment.
National Advisory Council Members
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Alistair (they/them)
Based in Missouri
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Gina Cabiddu, MSW (she/her)
Based in Washington
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Arique Dross III, JD (he/him)
Based in New York
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Jade Garza, JD
Based in New York
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Louis Gasper
Based in Maryland
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Parker, MSW (ze/zir)
Based in California
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Kayla Powell (she/her)
Based in Iowa
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Kristen Powell
Based in Kansas
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Laura Singer, JD, Ms.Ed (she/her/hers)
Based in District of Columbia
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Jordan Sosa
Based in California
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Danielle Whittaker, JD (she/her)
Based in Georgia
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Nicole Wong, JD, MST
Based in New York
Lived Expertise in The Guardian
Lived experience experts publish articles in NACC’s law journal, The Guardian, to share their
stories and recommendations for an improved system.
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So You Want to Include a Lived Experience Expert
NACC, 2021
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- NACC Guidance
- Working with Clients
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Strategies for Engaging Youth and Families with Lived Experience
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 2018
- Youth Engagement
- Juvenile Justice
- Lived Experience
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ABA Resolution 115
American Bar Association, 2020
- Youth Engagement
- Immigration
- Juvenile Justice
- Lived Experience
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Why We’re Really Here: NACC’s Cristal Ramirez on Youth Engagement
True North Podcast, 2022
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
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Court Improvement Program Youth Voice Series
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
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Engaging Partners With Lived Experience
Casey Family Programs, 2022
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
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Achieving Permanency for Adolescents in Foster Care: A Guide for Legal Professionals
American Bar Association, 2006
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- Permanency and Transition Planning
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How Can Agencies and Organizations Prepare for Authentic Youth Engagement
Casey Family Programs, 2022
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- Systems Level Resource
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How Can Individuals With Lived Experience of Child Welfare Help to Reform the System?
Casey Family Programs, 2022
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- Systems Level Resource
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What are the 4 Pillars of Authentic Engagement of Communities and Individuals with Lived Experience Through Co-design?
Casey Family Programs
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- Systems Level Resource
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Youth Advocacy Toolkit: A Toolkit For Building The Field of Ethical, Authentic, and Youth-Led Advocacy
Juvenile Law Center
- Youth Engagement
- Lived Experience
- Systems Level Resource
Learn More
Contact Cristal Ramirez, MS, NACC Youth Engagement Manager for more information on the National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation or on how to authentically engage youth.