National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation

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.  

Youth Engagement Resources

• Your Case, Your Rights: Your Guide to Exercising Self-Advocacy
• Tipsheet on Engaging Lived Experience Experts
• So You Want to Engage an Adolescent Client in Their Case
• Peer Partner Tipsheet  
• Youth Engagement Hub
• CIP Talks – Making Lived Experience Engagement Authentic, Intentional, and Mutually Beneficial

Shéár Avory

Ivory Bennett, M.Ed.

Courtney Canova

LilCrystal Dernier, MS, MNM

Jade Garza, JD

Louie Gasper

Jenn Ha

Aleks Kort (Talsky)

Stormy Lukasavage

Melissa Mayo

Tisha Ortiz

Kayla Powell

Duane Price

Jordan Sosa

Ariella Stafanson, JD

Jas Snell

Nicole Wong, JD, MST  

Aliyah Zeien, MSW

Inaugural Youth Engagement Manager: Cristal Ramirez, MS