Program areas at YLC
General mission and advocacy - ylc advocates to transform juvenile justice and child welfare systems across the nation so every child and Youth can thrive, utilizing multiple strategies, including litigation; legislation and policy reform; training and technical assistance; leadership and public education; and model program development. As a public interest Law firm, ylc fights for laws and policies to reduce incarceration and institutionalization; ensure children removed from their homes are in families and receive humane and fair treatment, and receive the education, health care, family connection, and supports Youth need to successfully transition out of systems and thrive as adults.
Youth Law advocacy support - ylc serves as an iolta funded support Center on Youth Law issues for qualified legal services programs providing direct legal services in California. Ylc's staff provides impact advocacy and advocacy support through co-counseling, consultation, research, training, and other assistance on a range of issues including public benefits, housing, education, health care and other legal issues facing young people in the juvenile court system. Ylc also works to increase capacity of legal services programs to address the civil legal issues facing transition age Youth including economic supports, housing, health care, education and other transitional support services.
The quality parenting initiative (qpi) is ylc's national child welfare system change initiative. Qpi is a relationship-based approach to foster care, based on the concept that every child needs excellent parenting every day. Qpi works to reform child welfare practice and policy to meet that goal by listening to and partnering with those who are directly impacted. Qpi is working with more than 80 jurisdictions in 10 states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, new mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas and has impacted local, state, and national practice, policy and culture.