1

The court appoints FCAC to act as a Guardian ad Litem or an Attorney ad Litem for either a parent or a child in a CPS case.

  • FCAC Attorneys appointed as Attorneys ad Litem engage in all aspects of litigation, such as filing motions, serving discovery, subpoenaing information, and questioning witnesses.

  • FCAC Attorneys appointed as Guardian ad Litem testify regarding the client’s best interest and provide recommendations to the court.

2

After reviewing the case, FCAC assigns an attorney based on staff caseloads and experience.

3

The FCAC Social Services Director reviews the case to determine if it would be helpful to have social services support.

4

If social services support is warranted, a FCAC social worker, Parent Partner, Peer Partner, or social work intern is assigned.

  • A FCAC social worker is a licensed social worker with extensive professional child welfare experience

  • A Parent Partner has lived experience with the child welfare system, substance abuse, the criminal justice system, and/or sexual exploitation and works with parent clients

  • A Peer Partner has lived experience in foster care and/or the juvenile justice system and works with youth clients

  • A social work intern is pursuing a degree in social work from an accredited university and is doing their field placement with FCAC

5

The Legal Team and Social Services Team collaborate constantly during the case to ensure the attorney is providing the best legal advocacy possible while the social services support is meeting the client’s non-legal needs.