About Us

“The Children’s Law Center’s work for equal opportunities for children in school and in the area of juvenile justice has profoundly influenced our work at the Civil Rights project as we strive together for racial justice in education. Their important efforts not only help the clients they serve, but inform and inspire many organizations working to improve outcomes for children throughout the nation.”
-Daniel Losen, Civil Rights Project, Harvard University

Our Mission
The Center was established in 1989 to protect and enhance the legal rights and entitlements of children in Kentucky through quality legal representation, research and policy development, and training and education to attorneys and others regarding the rights of children. Our priorities include juvenile justice, child welfare, and education issues generally, as well as emphasis on improving the quality of and accessibility to legal representation, for children in Kentucky and Ohio.

Desired 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 the effective assistance of counsel.
6) Ensure the children’s right to 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 t protect the right of children in the judicial system.
8) Promote equitable treatment without regarding to race, ethnicity, gender or handicapping condition

Programs & Services
LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The Children's Law Center represents 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 is engaged in litigation at the trial court and appellate levels and in both federal and state courts as well as administrative forums.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION
The Children’s Law Center works with law students from Salmon P. 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.

Many hours of research and writing have been spent by staff and students to produce numerous publications around issues involving the rights of children, which are distributed free to judges, attorneys and other professionals working with youth. Often educational training is provided based on the outcomes and recommendations found.

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.