Lawyers Fostering Independence (LFI) provides legal advocacy in civil matters on behalf of former foster youth as they transition into adulthood.
LFI is an initiative of the Center for Children & Youth Justice (https://www.facebook.com/centerforchildrenandyouthjustice).
LFI Priorities:
The program has five goals in furtherance of its mission:
(1) Increase the success of transitioning youth by removing legal barriers to life necessities such as securing stable housing, employment and benefits;
(2) Stabilize transitioning youth who are parents by helping them petition for, or modify, parenting plans, protection orders, and child support;
(3) Promote financial security of transitioning youth by reporting identity theft, and establishing plans to reduce debt and repair credit;
(4) Educate transitioning youth and service providers about legal issues to help youth avoid future civil legal problems; and
(5) Raise awareness of legal issues facing former foster youth in the private bar, general public and philanthropic community.
LFI connects clients with attorneys, who can help with non-criminal legal problems, such as sealing juvenile criminal records, eviction and other housing problems, custody and other family law matters, debt collection, securing disability or other public benefits, and identity theft and credit issues.
The mission of LFI is to improve outcomes for former foster youth by providing them with access to pro bono civil legal services – services that mitigate the specific adversities experienced by these youth who have been raised in our care.
http://www.ccyj.org/uploads/publications/Youth%20Dependency%20Guide.pdf
