Family Law, Kids, Technology

Every Child Should Have A Safe And Loving Home

How can lawyers help children? Find out a few ways you can donate your time.

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Every child who arrives on our planet should be safe and loved, but unfortunately, it doesn’t always happen that way. And in the United States, with the immigration upheaval, it is getting more and more dangerous for young children.

Here are just a few ways that lawyers can learn and help!

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION: Center on Children and the Law (Access for Justice for Children & Families). Among the agendas: Advocacy & Reform; Policy & Practice; Research & Evaluation; Training; and Technical Assistance.

Upcoming events:

• “Child Welfare Trial Skills Training,” Nov. 7, Tampa, Fla.

• “The National Conference on Representation and Advocacy for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children,” sponsored by Kids in Need of Defence and the ABA Commission on Immigration. Houston, TX. December 13 to 15, 2017.

ABA Publications

Sponsored

Among their many publications include “Finding Your Way: Guides for Fathers in Child Protection Cases” (in English and Spanish),  “Handbook for Questioning  Children,” and “Representing Parents in Child Welfare Cases.”

More: ABA Center on Children and the Law, 1050 Connecticut Ave, #400, Washington, D.C. 20036. ctrchildlaw@americanbar.org (202) 662-1720.

CHILDREN’S LAW CENTER serves the District of Columbia and is celebrating its 20th anniverary.

Attorney Judith Sandalow is the Executive Director. The center has a staff of 90+ attorneys, social workers, investigators, and other professionals. (It also gets pro bono attorneys.)

Says the organization: “We help more than 5,000 children and their families tackle seemingly insurmountable problems each year — including one of every nine of the poorest children in the city’s poorest neighborhoods. We multiplied this impact by partnering with hundreds of pro bono lawyers, pediatricians and city leaders. As a result of our advocacy both in and out of the courtroom, more District children are on the path to a better education, good health and a stable, loving family.”

Sponsored

“Each year, the judges of D.C. Superior Court appoint us to represent many hundreds of children who were abused and neglected or caught in bitter custody battles — a big vote of confidence in our tenacious attorneys who fight for the best homes for these vulnerable children. More than 100 law firms partner with us on pro bono cases that allow us to help even more children who have been abused or neglected, are caught in custody battles, live in poor housing conditions, or have special education needs that aren’t being met.”

Children’s Law Center
501 3rd Street, NW 8th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 467-4900

CLE CLASSES
A few of the options to address children’s issues:

Boston Bar Association
“Divorce Law Fundamentals: Child Support & Alimony,” Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Lawline
“Representing Unaccompanied Children in Immigration Court.” Matthew Blaisdell and Claire Thomson. On demand or Audio. 60 minutes. $59.

Children’s Commission
In partnership with the State Bar of Texas, the Children’s Commission produces and makes available a number of online courses and a day-long, six-hour trainings each year, on special issues in child welfare.

Virginia CLE
“Guardian ad litem literally means “guardian for the suit,” notes the Virginia Law Foundation. “A guardian ad litem in Virginia is an attorney appointed by a judge to assist the court in determining the circumstances of a matter before the court.” Frequently Asked Questions – Guardian Ad Litem Program for Children.

These are just a very few of the organizations that help children thrive and be safe. Help your local organizations either by donating your time or money. And keep a special eye out for immigrant children. Let’s protect the girls and boys, so they can save the world.

monica-bayMonica Bay is a Fellow at CodeX: The Stanford Center for Legal Informatics and a freelance writer for Above The Law and other media. She co-hosts Law Technology Now (Legal Talk Network) and is a member of the California Bar. Monica can frequently be found at Yankee Stadium. Email: monicabay1@gmail.com. Twitter: @MonicaBay.

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