Open Minds: Interdisciplinary Legal Representation For Parents Involved In Abuse or Neglect Cases Resulted In 118 Fewer Days In Foster Care

“Interdisciplinary legal representation of parents facing child abuse or neglect child welfare cases, whose children entered foster care in New York City, resulted in 118 fewer days in foster care for the children affected. On average, a child who enters out-of-home care will spend 658 days in foster care through 48 months of petition filing if an interdisciplinary law office (ILO) attorney represents their parent, compared to 776 days if a panel attorney represents the parent. The ILO approach includes social work staff and parent advocates for the parent as well as salaried attorneys working in nonprofit organizations . . .”

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