Children’s Advocacy Projects
Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc.
423 Fern St., Ste. 200
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Telephone: (561) 655-8944
(800) 403-9353
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://legalaidpbc.org/
100% Children’s Law
Does Use Volunteer Attorneys
The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Inc., a nonprofit organization started in 1955, has several projects that provide legal representation for children in Palm Beach, Florida. Begun In 2001, The Foster Children’s Project provides an attorney to represent children in the foster care system and to advocate for permanence within 12 months. The Education Advocacy Law Project partners with the Palm Beach County School District and The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Project to train volunteer attorneys who provide free legal representation to children who are facing expulsion from the school system.
The Juvenile Advocacy Project handles approximately 350 children’s law cases each year, and has a staff consisting of four attorneys and two paralegals, with the help of volunteer attorneys. volunteers work with staff attorneys in handling cases, and provide assistance with the intake of information from clients and research. Clients are referred to the JAP Project from the juvenile court, family court, social service agencies, schools, health care professionals, and other attorneys in the community. Volunteers are recruited through the local bar association, law firms and law schools. trainings are offered to volunteers on an as-needed basis. The JAP Project works with social workers, child development specialists, and psychologists to assist in the preparation of cases. The JAP Project has handled impact litigation. a recent suit brought in federal court challenges a school board policy of referring developmentally disabled children who “act out” as a result of their disability to the state attorney’s office for prosecution without providing an appropriate alternative educational setting.
Relative Caregivers Project provides legal advice and representation to adult caregivers who are caretakers for relative minor children (grandchildren, nephews, nieces). Services are designed to assist with the unique legal problems faced by relative caregivers raising minor children such as temporary legal custody, adoption, guardian advocacy, access to public benefits and health care, housing and children’s educational needs.
Children’s Healthcare Advocacy Project provides direct and co-representation as well as systemic advocacy to promote access to healthcare by overcoming obstacles in the rapidly changing and complex Medicaid programs to ensure foster children receive necessary health benefits.