Children's Law Center, Inc. - CT - Hartford

The Children's Law Center provides legal representation to children involved in high conflict custody and divorce cases. In addition to the requirement of indigence, cases must be exacerbated by allegations of domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, child abuse/neglect, or other chronic conflict. It is the only program of its kind in Connecticut. The organization's caseload is generated through appointments from the courts. Other programs the organization administers include: the Children's Law Line and Families in Transition (F.I.T.). The Children's Law Line is a legal-help line that assists callers who seek information related to family law and children's rights. The F.I.T. program is a mediation service which serves to shield children from the trauma of litigation by providing an alternative forum to resolve parents' disputes.

The Children's Law Center is dedicated to protecting poor children involved in family court by providing high quality legal services, and by advocating policies that advance the well being and best interest of the children. In November 1992, a six-year-old girl was shot and killed by her father during a supervised visitation session in the office of Judith Hyde, then the Executive Director of the Child Protection Council of Northeastern Connecticut. Out of that tragedy sprang a coalition of concerned professionals and parents united to examine the weaknesses in the system that had failed that child. The lack of adequate representation for children in family court disputes was the concern that led to the founding of the Children's Law Center. More than a decade later, our organization serves an ever increasing number of children in need and is dedicated to growing its services until all of Connecticut's communities are served.