CLC is appointed by the court to provide legal representation to children who are either wards of the state – “legal orphans” – or have been removed from their homes because they are in need of protection. CLC also represents foster children who request help. CLC provides this quality representation free of charge. Currently, CLC represents over 500 children per year.

CLC has trained well over 1000 volunteer attorneys since its inception. With their help, CLC has represented thousands of Minnesota foster children, and helped to promote systemic change and advocacy for vulnerable youth throughout Minnesota. When children are taken from abusive or neglectful parents, they need to know their legal rights. CLC provides a multidisciplinary team of volunteer and staff attorneys and a Youth Resource Manager to listen to the children and help them navigate the complicated systems that control their lives. These advocates help guide the children by empowering them to speak up for what they want. CLC advocates help children understand the system and help judges and other court workers understand what the children want.

CLC’s staff attorneys and Youth Resource Manager provide expertise and years of experience to volunteer attorneys to support their efforts in representing foster children, including knowledge about specific laws and services available for the children.

CLC also works closely with all stakeholders in the Minnesota Child Protection System to ensure that Minnesota’s laws are most favorable to our foster care children and youth. One example is McKenna’s Law – a law, which went into effect on August 1, 2017, will now ensure that every child who is the subject of a child protection petition and who is ten years of age or older, is timely and properly informed of their right to have an attorney represent them.

Mission statement

The mission of Children’s Law Center of Minnesota is to promote and protect the legal rights and well-being of children and youth through legal advocacy, educational outreach, and policy reform.

A Child’s Rights in Foster Care

Youth in foster care deserve to have their voices heard. No matter what unique experiences or family circumstances they’ve faced, they still have rights. It’s important for them to know that, even in confusing and difficult times, they have a say in their lives.

Rights For Foster Youth Include:

• Right to Legal Representation: Children and youth aged 10 and older who are involved in a child protection case have the right to a lawyer. This lawyer is provided at no cost to them and is there to advocate on their behalf. They also have the right to attend court hearings and share their thoughts and wishes with the judge.
• Right to Safety and Well-being: Children in foster care have the right to feel safe and protected. Their basic needs, including access to medical, dental, and mental health care, must be met.
• Right to Education and Stability: Foster children have the right to remain in their current school and participate in extracurricular activities, even if they are placed in a foster home outside their school district.
• Right to Family Connections: Whenever possible, children should be placed with or have visits with their siblings and relatives. Additionally, those aged 14 and older are entitled to an independent living plan to assist in transitioning to adulthood.
• Right to an Independent Living Plan: Additionally, those aged 14 and older are entitled to an independent living plan to assist in their transition to adulthood.

At Children’s Law Center of Minnesota (CLC), we are here to support youth in foster care. Our core work is to provide legal representation to children and youth, aged 10-21. Our team of approximately 200 volunteer attorneys are trained to help children understand their options and advocate for their rights. These volunteer lawyers stay with our young clients throughout their time in the child welfare system, ensuring they have a consistent and reliable advocate.

In addition to legal support, our Youth Resource Manager works alongside our lawyers to ensure our client’s needs are met. We’re here to make sure youth know their rights and have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Foster youth need not ever feel like they are alone, and we are here to help them navigate their legal challenges.