LFC News

Youth, Parents, Advocates, Elected Officials Gather in Support of Critical Legislation to Serve Young New Yorkers

Youth, parents, juvenile justice advocates, elected officials, public defender organizations gathered yesterday to advance a broad vision of youth justice and call for passage of two pieces of critical legislation - the #Right2RemainSilent Act (S.1099/A.1963) and the Youth Justice and Opportunities Act (S.3426/A.4238) - which would provide a developmentally appropriate response to young New Yorkers entangled in the criminal legal system.

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 foster care program, “Host Homes"

Family Advocates Hail Passage of the Preserving Family Bonds Act in Both Houses of New York State Legislature; Urge Governor Hochul to Sign Bill into Law

A coalition of families impacted by the foster system and advocates for parents and young people hail the passage of the Preserving Family Bonds Act(A5394 - Joyner / S6720 - Brisport) in the New York State Legislature

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 been federal law for over 40 years, sets requirements for child welfare proceedings involving Native children and outlines procedures that prioritize placement of removed children within their extended family and tribal community.

To Protect New York’s Foster Youth, Child Welfare Workers Need Accountability

Implementing organizational change requires accountability.

Ahead of NYS Budget Deadline, Organizations Providing Attorneys for Children in Family Court Demand Increased Funding to Keep Children Safe and Ensure Quality Representation

Ahead of NYS Budget Deadline, Organizations Providing Attorneys for Children in Family Court Demand Increased Funding to Keep Children Safe and Ensure Quality Representation

Protecting the Indian Child Welfare Act at the Supreme Court

LFC, and 30 other children’s rights organizations signed onto an amicus brief in support of the law and the protections it grants Native American children and their tribal communities.

Child Advocates File Lawsuit Seeking to Terminate the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ Host Homes Program

Supreme Court to Hear Foster Care Discrimination Case

The justices will consider whether a city may exclude a Catholic adoption agency from its foster care system because it refuses to work with gay couples.

Children's Justice Demands Racial Justice

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and
countless others, Lawyers For Children stands in solidarity with the Black community, including our Black colleagues, friends, and our young clients.