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

ABA Comments on Proposed Rule Change on Foster Care Legal Representation

Read the ABA's comments supporting the proposed rule change on foster care legal representation and recommending clarifications in the Final Rule to facilitate implementation among state, territorial, and tribal agencies. (11/28/23)

NPRM on Foster Care Legal Representation

On September 28, 2023, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Foster Care Legal Representation. (10/26/23)

New Federal Rule Provides IV-E Funding for Kin

On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (ACF) published a rule granting title IV-E agencies flexibility to respect the unique circumstances of kin caregivers. Read our overview. (10/3/23)

Celebrating Family Preservation and Reunification

Visit the National Reunification Month web page for tools, events, reunification hero profiles and other great resources to support reunification for children and families in the child welfare system. (7/11/23)

Comment Template - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Legal Representation

A template is available for use by organizations to comment on the pending federal rule to fund legal representation. (11/8/23)

Family Justice Journal Highlights Relational Belonging

The fall 2023 issue of the Family Justice Journal shares brief visual essays on connection and belonging and the importance of relational health for families, children, youth and communities. (11/1/23)

Congressional Hearing on Modernizing Child Welfare to Protect Vulnerable Children

Center Director, Prudence Beidler Carr, testified before Congress last week as part of the House Ways and Means Work & Welfare Subcommittee Hearing on Modernizing Child Welfare to Protect Vulnerable Children. (10/4/23)

ABA Journal Highlights Kinship Care

Two ABA Journal articles focus on two kinship care trends: "shadow foster care" and growing support among advocates of the use kinship caregivers in child welfare cases. (8/4/23)