An in-depth look at the work of our staff and volunteer attorneys
What We Do
The Children’s Law Center (CLC) provides a voice for vulnerable children in court proceedings. We advocate for their best interests, including safe placement and counseling in Chapter 50B - Civil Domestic Violence cases and Chapter 50 - High Conflict Custody cases. CLC staff and volunteer attorneys serve as Guardians ad Litem (GAL) by appointment on the District Court Judge in Forsyth and Guilford County.
In order to build a strong rapport with children, who sometimes lack a vocabulary to articulate what is happening in their lives, we meet with them, as well as parents, teachers, pediatricians, law enforcement, daycare providers and extended family members. We obtain records, as needed, from Department of Social Services, law enforcement, schools, the courts, and others. We then prepare a written report for the court and testify during the hearing.
We will make recommendations regarding safe placement of the child(ren) including custody and visitation. In addition, we often make recommendations on services such as mental health treatment for the child and/or parents, parenting classes, substance abuse treatment, and educational assistance.
The judge in the case makes the final decision, but our report and testimony gives the judge a clear and objective insight into the case and the needs of the child(ren) involved. By listening to children respectfully, understanding the adverse experiences in their lives, and advocating for their best interests, our staff and volunteers strive to nurture children to become emotionally and physically healthy adults.
Why It Matters
Research has shown that children who are exposed to violence within the home have much higher incidences of aggressive and oppositional behaviors than their peers from nonviolent homes. Exposure to domestic violence during childhood correlates to problems throughout adulthood including higher levels of depression, increased tolerance for violence in adult relationships, substance abuse, negative health outcomes, and poor conflict resolution skills.
ACEs - The CLC intervenes at a point of crisis, but seeks solutions that continue to provide hope and healing even after a case is closed. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have found that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as family violence, substance abuse, parental separation and mental illness can affect brain development in childhood.
Our young clients have a combined ACEs score of 4.4/10, which indicates they are at risk of trauma in the short term and as adults are candidates for poor physical health, depression, abuse or may even become abusive partners themselves. The CDC has found that the effects of ACEs can be lessened by early intervention and family counseling of the sort that CLC’s attorneys recommend.
