In abuse and neglect cases, court orders determine a child’s future, including whether the child will be removed from his or her home, the child’s contact with parents and other relatives, and the child’s access to social services.  Although a child’s interest in these proceedings is of fundamental importance, the level to which children are involved with their legal representation in court varies not only from state to state, but from case to case, and all too often, from hearing to hearing.  The root of these inconsistencies lies in the lack of uniform standards for the representation of children, coupled with the lack of sufficient training and compensation necessary for attorneys to provide adequate representation to their child clients.

Currently, all 50 states and the District of Columbia require some form of child representation in abuse and neglect proceedings, but each jurisdiction has developed its own statutory provisions and each state varies widely from the next in its requirements. [Click here for more information.] It is for this reason that First Star launched the Campaign for A Child's Right to Counsel, a national initiative to ensure that all child victims of abuse and neglect who receive court action are entitled to the basic civil legal right of attorney representation in foster care and dependency hearings.

The Campaign’s most visible component is the first-ever First Star National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children.  The report serves as an objective, credible tool to evaluate performance, to highlight models of success, and to provide motivation for improvements. 

Please click here to download the 2007 National Report Card on Legal Representation for Children (PDF)

Bound copies of the report may be obtained at $50 per copy including shipping and handling. 

Please submit written requests for the report designating the number of copies you would like to receive with a check payable to First Star - Child’s Right to Counsel Report via U.S. mail to 1666 K Street NW Suite 200, Washington, D.C.  20006.