Every year, CLCM responds to 1500 requests for assistance, conducts 100 trainings, and represents more than 400 children and youth in Massachusetts.
Our mission is to secure justice and maximize opportunity for low-income children and youth through quality legal advocacy.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN
Our attorneys provide individual legal representation in the areas of education, juvenile justice, and child welfare. More specifically, these areas include school discipline (suspension and expulsion); special education; restraint and seclusion; abuse & neglect; Child In Need of Services (CHINS); homelessness; mental health issues, and delinquency. Eligible clients are low-income children, from newborns to 18 years, or up to 21 in special education matters. Our attorneys provide direct legal representation to children in the area of Care and Protection (Abuse & Neglect) cases, Child In Need of Services (CHINS) cases, and delinquency cases, by court appointment only.
STATEWIDE HELP LINE: 781-581-1977 or Toll Free at 1-888-543-5298 (1-888-KIDLAW8)
Our office has a free statewide intake line that is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. All intakes are responded to within 1-3 business days. Intake workers provide callers with information, resources and/or referrals. When possible and appropriate, the Law Center staff will represent children in matters arising from the intake line.
TRAININGS FOR YOUTH, PARENTS, & HELPING PROFESSIONALS
CLCM provides free trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to children’s legal rights. Most trainings are facilitated by experienced attorneys and are available in both English and Spanish.
Training topics include but are not limited to:
-Basic Introduction to CLCM and Services
-Basic Overview of Education Law
-Rights of Disabled or Special Education Students
-Preparing for a IEP Team Meeting
-How to Read an Individualized Education Plan
-School Discipline (Suspension and Expulsion)
-School Discipline for Special Education Students
-Education Rights of Homeless Students
-“Know Your Rights” for Youth
-Understanding the Department of Children and Families
-Understanding CHINS (Children in Need of Services)
-Juvenile Delinquency
-Restraint and Seclusion
-Abuse and Neglect
-Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (“Rosie D.” Services)
-What Teens Should Know About Their Rights
-How Your Criminal History May Affect You When Enlisting in the Army
REPORTS, COMMUNITY EDUCATION MATERIALS, AND QUICK REFERENCE GUIDES
Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts staff have created a number of publications that are available to the public free of charge. To access our materials, please visit the publications section of our website at www.clcm.org. You can also call us at 781-581-1977 or toll-free at 1-888-543-5298.
Reports:
-Until They Die a Natural Death: Youth Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Massachusetts
-Pathways to Success by 21: Assessment of and recommendations regarding the needs of young adults in Southern Essex County
- Protecting Children: A Study of the Nature and Management of Guardianship of Minor Cases in Massachusetts Probate and Family Court
Community Education Materials:
-Child in Need of Services
-Care and Protection
-Dispositions in Delinquency Cases
-The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
-Emancipation and the Rights of Minors in MA
-School Suspension and Expulsion
-Special Education in MA
-Student Records
-Pleading Out
-Sealing Juvenile Records
-Protections for Students with Disabilities
-Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (Rosie D. Services)
-What Teens Should Know About Their Rights
-How Your Criminal History May Effect You When Enlisting in the Army
Quick Reference Legal Guides:
-Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (Rosie D. Services)
-Child in Need of Services (CHINS)
-School Discipline
TECHINICAL ASSISTANCE & BACKUP FOR ATTORNEYS
Attorneys and youth providers needing assistance in the above mentioned areas can call the law center for technical assistance and/or backup.
