There is national consensus that youth in foster care need lawyers.
Over 20,000 children and youth are separated from their families and placed into Florida’s foster system where they may not be guaranteed access to attorneys of their own to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are protected. We advocate for all Florida children in foster care to receive quality legal counsel!
We partner with:
Stories
Our Principles
Every child in foster care needs their own lawyer.
Children need direct, independent legal representation.
Florida needs a statewide system for high-quality legal representation of children.
Florida should maximize federal funding for children’s legal services.
We do not advocate for a reduction in funding to the Statewide Office of the Guardian Ad Litem.
Every child in foster care needs their own lawyer.
Children need direct, independent legal representation.
Florida needs a statewide system for high-quality legal representation of children.
Florida should maximize federal funding for children’s legal services.
We do not advocate for a reduction in funding to the Statewide Office of the Guardian Ad Litem.
Our Team
We are a diverse group of stakeholders, including youth and parents with lived experience within the foster care system, foster parents, attorneys and jurists that work to ensure the right to counsel for all Florida youth in foster care.
Onchantho Am
Lived Experience Expert
Onchantho Am
Lived Experience Expert
Onchantho Am
Lived Experience Expert
Tim Stevens
Foster Children's Project Attorney
Tim Stevens
Foster Children's Project Attorney
Tim Stevens
Foster Children's Project Attorney
Miles Glynn
Lived Experience Expert
Miles Glynn
Lived Experience Expert
Miles Glynn
Lived Experience Expert
Shakema Glover
Founder of Advocacy Activists
Shakema Glover
Founder of Advocacy Activists
Shakema Glover
Founder of Advocacy Activists
Christina Spudeas, Esq.
Child Advocate
Christina Spudeas, Esq.
Child Advocate
Christina Spudeas, Esq.
Child Advocate
Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS
Policy Counsel for NACC
Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS
Policy Counsel for NACC
Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS
Policy Counsel for NACC
Gerry Glynn
Child Advocate and International Volunteer
Gerry Glynn
Child Advocate and International Volunteer
Gerry Glynn
Child Advocate and International Volunteer
Walter Honoman
Supervising Attorney, Children’s Advocacy Program
Walter Honoman
Supervising Attorney, Children’s Advocacy Program
Walter Honoman
Supervising Attorney, Children’s Advocacy Program
Cheryl L. Sattler, JD, PhD
Ethica, LLC
Cheryl L. Sattler, JD, PhD
Ethica, LLC
Cheryl L. Sattler, JD, PhD
Ethica, LLC
Christopher Fellerhoff
Adoptive Parent of Former Foster Youth
Christopher Fellerhoff
Adoptive Parent of Former Foster Youth
Christopher Fellerhoff
Adoptive Parent of Former Foster Youth
Our Why
01
Background
Separating children from their family is traumatic and life changing.
They are removed from their families, homes, schools, neighborhoods, places of worship, and activities.
They may wonder:
- When can they return home?
- Who can they visit from foster care?
- Where will they go to school or play?
- Will they live in an institution?
- Who will meet their basic needs?
- Who will listen to them?
Every day judges make life-altering decisions in child protection cases. But who ensures children's legal rights are protected in court? In most states, the answer is a lawyer.
They are removed from their families, homes, schools, neighborhoods, places of worship, and activities.
They may wonder:
- When can they return home?
- Who can they visit from foster care?
- Where will they go to school or play?
- Will they live in an institution?
- Who will meet their basic needs?
- Who will listen to them?
Every day judges make life-altering decisions in child protection cases. But who ensures children's legal rights are protected in court? In most states, the answer is a lawyer.
The Issue
Florida is one of only 13 states without guaranteed legal counsel for children in foster care.
Through policy advocacy and legal action, we work to expand access to legal counsel to all youth experiencing foster care placement.
02
03
National Consensus
There's national consensus that youth need lawyers in court.
There is broad agreement that children in abuse or neglect proceedings should have legal representation throughout foster care:
- The Federal Government
- The American Bar Association (ABA)
- The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ)
- The National Association of Counsel for Children
- Youth with lived experience
Children with high quality legal representation have better outcomes.
Research proves legal representation for kids leads to better outcomes for children: less time in foster care, faster adoption and reunification, quicker permanency, and lower state costs.
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
"Perhaps the most impactful reform states have implemented to protect children from abuse in foster care has been providing children with an attorney. "
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“I lived in 11 placements and attended 8 different schools… Effective legal representation certainly could have provided advice on my legal options, additional support, increased participation in court proceedings, and more information about my rights.”
"The absence of legal representation for any party at any stage of child welfare proceedings is a significant impediment to a well-functioning child welfare system."
Administration for Children and Families
"Congress must provide every child in foster care with access to legal representation by an attorney"
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
“Numerous studies and reports point to the importance of competent legal representation for parents, children, and youth in ensuring that salient information is conveyed to the court … and that the wishes of parties are effectively voiced.”
Administration for Children and Families
"Young people should have access to high-quality legal representation."
The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council
"Children and youth are subject to court decisions that may forever change their family composition, as well as connections to culture and heritage. Despite the gravity of these cases ... children and youth do not always have legal representation."
Administration for Children and Families
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