Our Programs
Free Child Welfare Direct Legal Services
We provide free legal services, including information, instruction, tools and support (for as long as it takes) to empower any concerned individual to intervene in California juvenile dependency court proceedings and share information to protect a child’s physical or emotional health, maintain familial relationships, mitigate or prevent trauma, and ensure timely permanency for a child who cannot be returned to their parents. Legal services are available Monday - Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on major holidays). Please complete our helpline intake form here (and expect a return call within 3 business days). For urgent or time-sensitive matters, please email [email protected], so that we can prioritize your call. Include your phone number if contacting us via email.
Online Child Welfare Legal Library and Self Help
Our comprehensive online child welfare legal library and self-help center improves legal literacy across the State of California, ensuring that anyone and everyone — regardless of their background or legal expertise — can stand up and advocate for a child or youth in foster care in California. The information on Advokids' website serves as a guide on how to navigate the child welfare system and includes instructional videos on how to fill out juvenile court forms and more.
Legal Education Trainings and Webinars
We offer California State Bar–approved continuing legal education (CLE) courses for attorneys practicing in juvenile dependency as well as general legal education for child welfare organizations, foster family agencies, CASA volunteers, caregivers, and relatives. Our trainings increase understanding of the child welfare legal system and the legal processes required to bring information to the juvenile dependency court and to advocate for a child or youth in foster care.
For a complete list of our current offerings, please visit our Trainings pages in our menu.
Child Welfare Policy and Reform
We work to improve state and local policy and practice to strengthen the safety net for children who have suffered from, or are at risk of, abuse and neglect. Cases from our direct legal services program often expose issues that guide our impact litigation, legislative proposals, and accountability campaigns.
Please consider making a secure, tax-deductible donation today.
Legal Disclaimer: Advokids provides educational information and resources to those who use our website, call our helpline, or submit requests for information via the website. Any information provided may not be construed as the giving of legal advice to any person about a particular legal matter and should not be relied upon as the basis for taking a particular action or refraining from taking a particular action in any legal matter. If you want or need legal advice about a particular legal matter, you should consult a lawyer.
Mailing List Signup
Join the Advokids mailing list and stay connected to our work to fight for the right of every child in California to safety, security, and a permanent home.
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