Articles by the NYS Kinship Navigator Director, Gerard Wallace, Esq.

• Survey Article on Kinship Care

• Chart of Legal Issues faced by NYS Kinship Caregivers

• Recent Cases

• Foster care Plus Love (Washington Post, June 2004)

• Kinship Navigators: The New Child Welfare System (Common Ground, February 2010)

Children of Incarcerated Parents

• Be sure your child is cared for and safe: Frequently asked Questions

• Be sure your child is cared for and safe: English

• Be sure your child is cared for and safe: Spanish

Grandparents and Family Rights

• A Family's Right to Care

• Name Changes of Minors

Education: Enrollment and Responsibility

• Education

• New York Public Schools: Enrollment

• Affidavits

• Model Affidavits

Birth Certificates

• FAQ's on the Process of Obtaining a Birth Certificate

• How to Access/Change the Birth Certificate of a Minor

• Ordering Birth Certificates in NYC

Native American Law

Passports for Minor Children

AARP Benefits Quicklink

 

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STATEWIDE LEGAL SERVICES

Below is a list of organizations that offer legal services. More services may be found by calling your local county bar association and other local organizations. Law schools also may have clinics and student representation.

New York State Office of Court Administration

Offers free legal representation under certain circumstances. Parties in court proceedings who meet income requirements may be eligible for court appointed counsel. Inquiry should be made with court personnel or an attorney. Offers information on legal services including information about programs offering free, discounted, and pro bono legal services.

http://www.nysba.org/Template.cfm?Section=Public_Resources

 

The National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights (NCGCR)

1-866-624-9900
bcastellano@grandparentsforchildren.org
www.grandparentsforchildren.org

The National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights (NCGCR) is a national coalition consisting of individuals and group membership. In New York, the NCGCR partners with other grandparent groups and organizations to hold state rallies in support of the passage of effective legislation for grandparents and children. The NCGCR’s toll-free number at (866) 624-9900 provides information to grandparents who are advocating for their grandchildren. Information consists of current federal and state caselaw as well as entitlements and services available to grandparents in New York and around the country.

 

Farmworker Law Project (FWLP) (Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc.)
52 South Manheim Boulevard
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 256-9096; (800) 804-8575
(845) 856-0494 (fax)
www.lasmny.org

Farmworker Legal Services of New York, Inc. (FLSNY)
80 St. Paul Street, Suite 620
Rochester, NY 14604
PHONE: (585) 325-3050
FAX: (585) 325-7614
www.flsny.org

Farmworker Legal Services of New York, Inc. (FLSNY) is a not-for-profit corporation providing free legal services to New York's migrant and seasonal agricultural workers. FLSNY's lawyers and paralegals provide a wide range of legal advocacy on behalf of farm workers.FLSNY seeks to assure that agricultural employers and housing providers in New York and nationwide comply with the law, that government entities respect farm workers' civil rights, and that the public is educated about farm worker exclusions from existing labor laws.

Public Utility Law Project of New York, Inc. (PULP)

90 State Street, Suite 601
Albany, NY 12207
PHONE: (518) 449-3375
FAX: (518) 449-1769
www.pulp.tc

The Public Utility Law Project (PULP) represents residential low income and rural consumers seeking to advance universal service, affordability, and consumer protection in utility, telecommunications and energy-related matters.

Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. (RLCNY)

56 Cornelia Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
PHONE: (518) 561-5460; (866) 324-1183
FAX: (518) 561-5468
www.rurallawcenter.org

The Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. is a not-for-profit legal assistance organization which was incorporated in 1996 with the generous support of the IOLA (Interest on Lawyer Accounts) Fund and the New York Bar Foundation. The Rural Law Center of New York, Inc. is committed to focusing attention through our legal system and government institutions on the needs of low-income, rural New Yorkers.

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STATE WIDE REFERRAL SERVICES

Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)
350 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10013
Hotline: (212) 343-1122
Office: (646) 613-9633
Fax: (646) 613-9632

www.LIFTonline.org

LIFT provides free legal information and guidance about Family Court and family law. We understand the complex issues grandparents face in Family Court, and are prepared to answer your questions, guide you through the system, and tell you about resources in your community. Call or email our Family Law Information Hotline, download our step-by-step Legal Resource Guides, stop by our Education & Information Sites in the NYC Family Courts, or drop in to our Family Legal Center. LIFT also hosts a bi-weekly Grandparents Support Group and provides workshops on various family law topics, such as foster care, custody, visitation, and public benefits (including the child-only grant), as well as the juvenile justice system. To learn more about LIFT, call our Hotline at 212-343-1122 or visit our website: www.LIFTonline.org.

Program Flyer (English)
Program Flyer (Spanish)

Empire Justice Center (EJC) (formerly GULP)

119 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 462-6831; (800) 635-0355
(518) 462-6687 (fax)

www.empirejustice.org

Services: Child Care, Child Support, Civil Legal Services, Civil Rights, Consumer & Community, Development, Disability Benefits, Domestic Violence, Education, Health, Housing, Immigrant Rights, and Public Benefits

Empire Justice Center (EJC) (formerly GULP)

Rochester Office
One West Main Street, Suite 200
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 454-4060
(585) 454-2518 (fax)

www.empirejustice.org

Services: Child Care, Child Support, Civil Legal Services, Civil Rights, Consumer & Community, Development, Disability Benefits, Domestic Violence, Education, Health, Housing, Immigrant Rights, and Public Benefits

Empire Justice Center (EJC) (Formerly Hudson Valley Poverty Law Center)

Pace University School of Law
John Jay Legal Services, Inc
80 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10603
(914) 422-4333
(914) 422-4391 (fax)

www.empirejustice.org

Services: Child Care, Child Support, Civil Legal Services, Civil Rights, Consumer & Community, Development, Disability Benefits, Domestic Violence, Education, Health, Housing, Immigrant Rights, and Public Benefits

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USEFUL WEBSITES

Empire Justice: www.empirejustice.org

Empire Justice Center is a not for profit law program that provides legal assistance and advocacy to low-income families regarding civil issues, childcare, public benefits, and more. The organization currently has offices in Albany, Rochester, and White Plains, NY.Their website provides great detail and legislative updates on twelve common social issues that they provide advocacy and legal assistance with: child care, child support, Civil League services, Civil Rights, Consumer and Community Development, Disability benefits, Domestic Violence, Education, Health, Housing, Immigrant Rights and Public benefits.

In addition to providing these services, the organization also provides accredited training for advocates representing clients on each issue, as well as an online resource center stating case law and precedents with which o assist advocates as they work with clients.The website is user friendly and informative for both caregivers and agencies

MFY legal services: www.mfy.org

MFY Legal Services (Mobilization for Youth) is a Manhattan based organization that provides advocacy and representation for low-income clients.Their Pro Bono Family law project aims to serve kinship caregivers seeking guardianship, custody and adoption.Telephone intake hours for this program are Monday and Wednesday 10:00am-4:00pm.Although the offices for this program are physically located in Manhattan, there is a helpful link redirecting visitors to another website (www.lawhelp.org) to find representation and legal advice in any other part of the country.

 

New York State Unified Court System: www.nycourts.gov

This website provides a thorough picture of the different courts in New York State, from Supreme Court to village court. Visitors can learn how to file documents for different circumstances (including the forms and what, if any, fee may apply), which courts perform a certain activity, and even the names of the judges presiding over each court. Specifics are available on pending and past cases, including decisions made and in progress tracking. A search tool to find an attorney is available, and step-by-step facts regarding State Laws are provided should the litigants decide to represent themselves. As a whole, it is an all encompassing website regarding the New York State Court System and the processes that take place within it.

Center for Family Representation: http://www.cfrny.org/

The primary goal of this organization is to ensure family cohesiveness.Assistance through advocacy and free legal representation is available to families that have a combination of poverty and crisis that threatens removal of children.Located in New York City, the agency provides Community Advocacy Teams (CAT) to assist families via a combination of advocate, lawyer, and social worker.The website also provides various toolkits for professionals and clients that guide interactions as well as “rules of thumb” for situations involving Child Protective Services, visitation and permanency hearings.

www.LawHelp.org/NY: www.LawHelp.org/NY

This new, user friendly, "Super Website" helps low-income New Yorkers find out information about:

* Free legal service programs
* Information about legal rights education
* Links to social services and government agencies
* Information about the court system

Resources available in a wide range of languages!

 

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