 
Since FCAC opened, we have helped over 350 clients, 
 and closed 127 cases.

TOTAL CLIENTS SERVED

95
PARENTS

232
CHILDREN

23
COMMUNITY CLIENTS

Cases Closed Because

29
reunification /case dismissed

21
CHILDREN ADOPTED

26
custody given to relatives

25
all complex issues resolved

ONLY 1O
PARENT CLIENTS WITH RIGHTS TERMINATED

How FCAC Works in Court-Appointed CPS Cases

FCAC Roles and Responsibilities

Community Legal Advocacy

Additionally, FCAC provides limited pro bono legal services to members of the community. Through legal aid to individuals who cannot afford an attorney, we are hoping to prevent children from unnecessarily entering the child welfare system when possible.

we help individuals who

1

Are being investigated by CPS for abuse or neglect and cannot afford an attorney

2

Need a Protective Order or to change a current custody agreement to prevent CPS involvement

3

Are caring for the children of friends or family and need legal custody so the children do not have to be removed

4

Need to get a CPS investigation cleared from their record

  Unfortunately,
 
we cannot help individuals who are represented by an attorney or if CPS currently has custody of the children.

Child Welfare Policy Consulting

FCAC regularly provides expert consulting services to child welfare policy organizations, such as Casey Family Programs. One example of this work includes evaluating hearing quality and court processes in jurisdictions around the country by developing a research tool, conducting hearing observations, analyzing data collected, and producing a report.   

FCAC works with retired child welfare judges to provide this expert consulting, including Hon. Ellen White (VA), Hon. Colleen McNally (AZ), and Hon. Patricia FitzGerald (KY). Their areas of expertise include: the Family First Prevention Services Act, permanency, mediation, judicial leadership, parentage and child support, peer parents, problem solving/treatment courts, docketing and effective case management, legal representation and attorney performance, multidisciplinary legal representation models, and access to justice issues.