Business Details
32 Years
experience
Protecting Vulnerable Children Through Pro Bono Legal Advocacy
At Lawyers for Children America for Children America, we protect abused, abandoned, and neglected children through pro bono legal representation and partnerships that create systemic change. Founded in 1994, our organization mobilizes over 400 volunteer attorneys and 100 law firms to advocate for children in the child welfare system. Our attorneys represent children in legal proceedings, agency hearings, and school planning sessions, ensuring access to medical, mental health, educational, and social services. We collaborate with the Yale Child Study Center and other institutions to provide specialized training and clinical case consultation for our volunteers. Since our inception, we have leveraged over $3 million in pro bono legal time annually, achieving outcomes that exceed national standards for child welfare placements.Our work minimizes trauma for children in foster care while fostering stability through consistent legal advocacy. We operate with a modest infrastructure, maximizing the impact of every donation to expand our reach to vulnerable children. Our volunteer attorneys, including retired judges and legal professionals from diverse backgrounds, receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure effective representation. By partnering with law firms, corporations, and community organizations, we strengthen the child welfare system and promote systemic reforms. Our mission remains rooted in the belief that every child deserves a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.
Services
Pro Bono Legal Representation
Volunteer Attorney Program
Community Partnerships
Child Welfare Advocacy
Training Programs
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We have provided pro bono legal advocacy for abused children since 1994.
- Our network includes 400+ volunteer attorneys and 100+ law firm partners.
- We collaborate with Yale Child Study Center for specialized training.
- We leverage $3 million+ annually in pro bono legal services.
- Donations are tax-deductible and support systemic child welfare reforms.
Associations and certifications
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Services
Pro Bono Legal Representation
Our volunteer attorneys provide free legal representation to abused and neglected children in court proceedings, agency meetings, and school planning sessions. They advocate for medical, mental health, educational, and social services while ensuring children have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. This service minimizes trauma and promotes stable, permanent placements through holistic case management.
Volunteer Attorney Program
We recruit and train volunteer attorneys from law firms, corporate legal departments, and solo practices to represent children in the child welfare system. Volunteers receive specialized training from the Yale Child Study Center and ongoing support from staff attorneys. Cases typically last 6 months to several years, with opportunities for mentorship and collaboration to ensure effective advocacy.
Community Partnerships
We partner with medical institutions, child welfare agencies, and legal organizations to enhance advocacy for vulnerable children. Collaborations with the Yale Child Study Center provide clinical training, while partnerships with hospitals help identify and address mental health needs. These relationships strengthen our ability to secure comprehensive services for children and drive systemic reforms in child welfare policies.
Training Programs
We offer specialized training for volunteer attorneys on child welfare law, trauma-informed advocacy, and systemic reform strategies. Programs occur 4-6 times annually and include clinical case consultations with experts. Training ensures attorneys understand developmental, psychological, and legal principles to effectively represent children and navigate complex child welfare systems.
Child Welfare Advocacy
Our advocacy extends beyond individual cases to address systemic issues in child welfare. We participate in policy discussions, court committees, and legislative efforts to improve services for vulnerable children. By leveraging partnerships and pro bono resources, we work to reduce foster care placements, enhance service accessibility, and create lasting institutional changes that protect children's rights.
People
Priscilla Pappadia
Executive Director
Priscilla Pappadia leads Lawyers for Children America for Children America's national operations, overseeing volunteer recruitment, training programs, and strategic partnerships. With decades of experience in nonprofit management, she drives systemic reforms while ensuring high-quality legal advocacy for abused children.
Carolyn Salisbury
Florida Office Director
Carolyn Salisbury manages LFCA's Florida operations, coordinating volunteer attorneys and community partnerships to support abused children in Miami. Her work focuses on expanding legal representation and improving child welfare outcomes through local collaborations.
Questions
How can I become a volunteer attorney?
Contact your local LFCA office to inquire about training opportunities. We provide specialized training and ongoing support for volunteer attorneys representing abused children.
What areas do you serve?
We operate in Connecticut (national headquarters), Florida, Washington, D.C., Fairfield County, and New Haven, with volunteer attorneys nationwide.
How are donations used?
Donations fund attorney training, case management, systemic reforms, and recruitment of volunteer lawyers to support abused children in the child welfare system.
Can I donate stock or real estate?
Yes, we accept gifts of stock, real estate, and planned gifts. Our development team assists with transfers to support our mission.
How do I report child abuse?
Call Child Help USA at 1-800-422-4453 to report suspected abuse or neglect immediately.
