Among the children we help with our programs are:

• Children who need health care
• Children who need adoptive families
• Children with learning disabilities and developmental delays
• Children who need help accessing public benefits and services
• Youth who are exiting the foster care system

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Health Care A child’s illness can be emotionally and financially devastating for any family, and for families already living in poverty the challenges are even greater. The Alliance helps children facing Medi-Cal eligibility problems, treatment denials, and inadequate access to physicians and services. The Alliance also conducts trainings for medical and social service providers, caregivers, and group homes on how they can best advocate for the children in their care.

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Public Benefits and Children's Court Advocacy Children who have been abused, traumatized, or abandoned by their parents have a tremendous need for a stable home. Caregivers who have stepped up to provide for these children can become overwhelmed, putting that essential stability at risk. The Alliance obtains appropriate funding and services for these children so that caregivers can access critical supports like physical therapy, counseling or medical aides. The Alliance also helps foster youth at risk obtain court oversight for their safety and permanency. Securing these resources can often mean the difference between permanent, secure homes and struggling, unstable ones.

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Adoption Adoption gives foster children a second chance to be a member of a family forever. With the help of an army of dedicated pro bono attorneys, The Alliance completes more than one-third of all foster care adoptions in Los Angeles County by cutting through bureaucracy and red tape for children waiting to be part of a new family. The Alliance connects with the adoptive families as early as possible to identify any psychological, health, or educational needs of the child and avoid unnecessary delays in the adoption. The Adoption Day program, introduced by The Alliance and its partners in 1997, has become a national model for promoting foster care adoption.

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Guardianship Throughout Los Angeles, more than 300,000 children live outside the foster care system and with a relative or friend because their parents are unable or unwilling to care for them. This can be the result of a parent’s drug addiction, emotional or financial issues, legal problems, or any number of other difficulties. Every year The Alliance helps thousands of these caregivers become legal guardians of the children in their care so that they can take them to the doctor, enroll them in school and obtain financial assistance to better provide them a secure, stable life.

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Special Education Nowhere are the injustices and challenges for impoverished children more evident than in their ability to receive an education. It is estimated that nearly one half of foster children have learning disabilities or developmental delays. This program is aimed at leveling the playing field for children who are learning impaired but seldom receive the benefit of an Individual Education Program tailored to meet their special needs. The Alliance takes a comprehensive approach to addressing this unfortunate reality by providing direct advocacy as well as training to empower caregivers. View Information Special Education Services Flyer

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Transitioning Youth and Mentoring Every year approximately 1,500 youth “age out” of the foster care system in Los Angeles without being prepared for the challenges of adulthood. Within two years more than half are unemployed and nearly half are incarcerated or homeless. The Alliance becomes a lifeline that helps guide these 16 to 24 year olds through the difficult transition from foster care to independence by educating them about their legal rights and responsibilities and empowering them with skill building workshops and access to resources. Our Allies Mentoring Program is designed to further support these youth by providing them with caring, consistent, adult role models who will help empower them to make good decisions and set attainable life goals. Together with our pro bono attorneys, community volunteers and mentors, The Alliance is helping to change the outcomes for these youth. See NextSTEP Brochure

Community Training and Education The Alliance for Children’s Rights provides training and education on current laws and regulations affecting low income children and families – both in our offices and in neighborhoods throughout the community. The Alliance has trained thousands of attorneys, judges, medical providers, foster families, group homes, parents, caregivers and youth on issues involving: adoption legal guardianship child abuse and neglect health care and medical consents sealing juvenile records special education discrimination public benefits, and matters related to system-wide reform If you are interested in attending one of our in-office trainings or would like to speak with someone about scheduling trainings for your group, please contact us. See Trainings Brochure

Volunteers The Alliance’s depends on the generous volunteer attorneys, social workers, students and community members who donate thousands of hours each year to help make a difference in the lives of children and families in Los Angeles.

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