Support for Legal Aid Advocates Serving System-Involved Youth

The Youth Law Center supports legal aid and legal advocates across the country to strengthen advocacy for youth impacted by the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Our mission is to ensure that legal advocates have the resources and support they need when representing young people involved in or at risk of entering these systems so youth have the opportunity to thrive. We offer specialized expertise across a broad range of intersecting issues, including foster care, juvenile justice, education, public benefits, housing, health access, and conditions of confinement.

In California, we are a designated State Bar legal aid support center, providing advocacy support to civil legal aid programs to improve outcomes, secure critical benefits, and advance systems reform for these youth. 

YLC provides robust support to legal services advocates across California, including:

• Consultation: Our team offers timely, individualized advocacy support by phone, email, or virtual meeting.

• Information Services: We maintain an extensive library of fact sheets, legal pleadings, training tools, and research materials tailored to issues facing system-involved youth.

• Representation: We partner with legal aid programs on complex matters through co-counseling, direct representation, amicus briefs, and administrative or judicial appeals.

• Training: Upon request, we provide customized training for legal services organizations, focused on legal strategies and advocacy approaches to support system-impacted youth and their families.

YLC is proud to stand with legal aid advocates to promote justice, equity, and opportunity for the young people who need it most.