ILS is announcing the availability of funds and soliciting proposals from New York State counties [1] to develop new, innovative programs or practices to improve the quality of representation provided to parents [2] accused of child maltreatment who cannot afford to retain counsel, including reduced attorney caseloads, access to counsel during the child welfare investigation, utilization of a multi-disciplinary approach to representation, and high-caliber training opportunities.

The intent of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to support local initiatives aimed at improving the quality of legal representation provided to parents in child protective matters as defined in Family Court Act Article 10. [3] Quality legal representation for parents in these proceedings is of heightened importance since the individuals targeted are disproportionately poor, Black and Indigenous, and typically lack the information, resources, and social capital necessary to respond effectively to government action which often includes temporary or permanent removal of a child from the parent. Improvements in this area will also promote better Family Court decision-making, reduce the needless separation of children from their families, save foster care costs, diminish disparate racial impacts, and reduce long-term costs to the state and to counties

PLEASE NOTE: Counties that have received an ILS First Upstate Family Defense (Child Welfare) Quality Improvement and Caseload Reduction Grant and/or a Second Upstate Family Defense (Child Welfare) Quality Improvement and Caseload Reduction Grant are NOT eligible to apply for this grant.

[1] Please note that for purposes of this Request for Proposals, the term “counties” includes the City of New York.

[2] For ease of reference, in this RFP the term “parent” refers to a biological parent or other “legally responsible” person who is eligible for assigned counsel under New York Family Court Act § 262.

[3] In this RFP, the terms “child welfare,” “child protective” and “State intervention” are used interchangeably and refer generally to abuse and/or neglect proceedings pursuant to Article 10 of the Family Court Act, as well as foster care placement, termination of parental rights, surrender, destitute minor, and permanency planning proceedings. Child protective services agencies are referred to as “CPS” or “DSS” agencies.