Priority Outcomes
1) Promote the rights of children to a safe, permanent home using a continuum of services and the least restrictive alternative.
2) Reduce the unnecessary incarceration of children in lieu of other appropriate alternatives, and ensure the safe and humane treatment of incarcerated youth consistent with constitutional protections to which they are entitled.
3) Reduce unnecessary government intervention into the lives of children and families to preserve family autonomy.
4) Promote and protect the rights of children to have access to counsel where statutorily, and/or otherwise necessary, to protect their vital interests.
5) Improve the quality of legal representation to children to ensure effective assistance of counsel.
6) Ensure children’s right to a free, appropriate public education is protected, including youth in out-of-home care or juvenile facilities, and/or who are transitioning back to communities.
7) Promote effective judicial policies to protect the right of children in the judicial system.
8) Promote equitable treatment of children without regarding to race, ethnicity, gender or handicapping condition
Programs & Services
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The Children's Law Center provides attorney to represent young people in a variety of legal and administrative proceedings including child abuse and neglect matters, special education and other school issues, homelessness, juvenile justice issues, and "multi-system" cases. The Center’s lawyers are engaged in litigation at the trial court and appellate levels and in both federal and state courts as well as administrative forums. Chase College of Law, the University of Kentucky Law School, and the University of Cincinnati Law School on fellowships and externships. Additionally, social work and criminal justice students from Northern Kentucky University, University of Cincinnati, and Xavier University, along with students from various universities across the nation, have volunteered or completed internships through the Center. Staff and students have produced numerous publications around issues involving the rights of children which are distributed free to judges, attorneys and other professionals working with youth. RESEARCH AND PUBLIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT
The Children’s Law Center uses research and innovative community-based initiatives to develop sound public policies for children in the legal and social service systems. The Center has been involved in research projects concerning the use of secure detention for juveniles, school crime and violence, and the right to counsel for child victims. Research projects are used as part of a broader effort to promote accountability among government agencies providing services to children. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL
The Children’s Law Center receives hundreds of calls each year from children seeking clarification of their legal rights, parents requesting referral sources for their children, attorneys requiring technical assistance, and social service providers with questions concerning the rights of their clients. Center staff provides telephone assistance and makes referrals to other attorneys and agencies as appropriate. SPECIAL PROJECTS
Changing economic and political climates require innovative solutions to problems facing children. The Center continually develops and reviews its programs to ensure that they meet the most prevalent needs of its clients. In addition, the Center has worked with other agencies, both in Kentucky and around the country, to develop and replicate successful projects that have improved the quality of advocacy services for children.
