Center on Children and the Law

The Center promotes access to justice for children and families. Our team of attorneys and core staff work on a diverse portfolio of national, regional and local projects in the children’s law field throughout the country. Center projects are unified by two complementary goals: improving legal representation and improving the legal systems that impact children and families.

Center News

New Case Summary

Read Nicole Johnson's summary of the recent Iowa Supreme Court decision holding that an incarcerated parent has a constitutional due process right to participate in the entire termination of parental rights (TPR) hearing and the trial court has a responsibility to ensure the parent can respond to the state’s evidence.

Legal Community Roles Implementing the Family First Prevention Services Act

The Center has drafted a short summary of different legal audiences whose engagement will be critical to ensuring successful implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) across the country.

New Opportunities for Kinship Families: Action Steps to Implement the Family First Prevention Services Act in Your Community

This tool highlights provisions that help kinship families, along with steps caregivers, advocates, and other leaders can take to help implement the Family First Act.

New Parent Representation Study

A recent study of parent representation models in New York City found providing parents multidisciplinary representation reduced the time children spend in foster care. Check Martin Guggenheim's and Susan Jacobs's CLP Today article on the practical significance of the study.

Grandfamilies Brief

This new brief highlights the role of grandfamilies in caring for children. It explains grandfamilies' strengths, challenges, needs, and trending issues.