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Unwavering Advocacy for Youth

In addition to free legal and social work services for children in foster care, Lawyers For Children provides targeted public policy and class action advocacy to achieve system-wide changes in the field of child welfare

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Stopping Shadow Foster Care

Learn more about our lawsuit against New York State to protect children & parents from a dangerous program

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What we do

In addition to free legal and social work services for children in foster care, Lawyers For Children provides targeted public policy and class action advocacy to achieve system-wide changes in the field of child welfare

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Families and Advocates Condemn Governor Hochul’s Veto of the Preserving Family B...

Read our statement on the Governor's veto, misconceptions about the bill, and how the veto harms children and families.
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Appeals Court Allows LFC to Proceed in Shadow Foster Care Lawsuit

A New York State appeals court ruled that Lawyers For Children and its co-plaintiffs, have the right to challenge the State’s dangerous shadow fost...
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Supreme Court Upholds Law Protecting Native Children & Communities

On June 15th, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7-2 decision in Brackeen v. Haaland upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA. ICWA, which has ...

Who We Are

Each year, our staff of seventy professionals represents over 3,000 individual children in more than 6,000 court proceedings. Our advocacy helps children find safe and loving homes more quickly and helps minimize the trauma of foster care placement. We also help youth aging out of foster care access the education, housing, and employment they need to transition to independence.

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How We Help

Informed by our advocacy for individual children & youth, we use the power of policy, legislation, and impact litigation to reform systems and hold them accountable.

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We give children a voice in proceedings involving intimate partner violence, while also preventing or mitigating the trauma children face when exposed to domestic violence.

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Education is a pathway to success and school is a source of stability for vulnerable children. We advocate for the services and support clients need to learn and reach their potential.

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Every young person deserves to be who they are. Whether it is ensuring access to affirming health care or making sure young people feel safe in their home, LFC is there.

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Each year, hundreds of NYC young people age out of foster care to live independently. We provide comprehensive legal, social work, and mentoring services, along with support from our Youth Advocates--staff with lived experience in the foster care system.

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Learn more about our work to help young people obtain appropriate services and placements that meet their needs.

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We screen all clients for immigration issues and help them secure permanent legal status, and be able to continue their education, obtain employment and embark on a promising a future.

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The Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Project helps children heal from trauma and obtain the services and support they need to move forward.

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LFC’s Youth Justice Project consists of attorneys and social workers who zealously represent our clients in juvenile delinquency proceedings before New York City’s Family Court.

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Our Impact

3000+
Children & youth served annually
6000+
Life-changing court proceedings a year
100%
Homelessness prevented for youth aging out

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