Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center

A Prevention Partnership: The Children's Law Center, operating in partnership with the Denver Department of Human Services trains and supports volunteer attorneys to provide legal representation for this cutting-edge program that serves and supports children and families at risk. The program's goal is early intervention - to protect children from neglect and abuse. The ultimate objective is to rehabilitate and strengthen troubled families in order to provide a meaningful and stable home for each child. Individually, the time commitment will be modest. Collectively, we can have an important impact on the lives and futures of at-risk children in Colorado.

Domestic Violence Program: The Children's Law Center's Pro bono Attorney Program provides representation to children in the Domestic Violence Denver County Protective Orders Court (124D). The Center trains and supports volunteer attorneys to provide legal representation to child victims of domestic violence. Responsibilities include conducting an independent investigation, submitting a written recommendation to the court and appearing in court on behalf of the child's best interests. Volunteer attorneys spend an average of 15 hours per case.

Educational Mentor Program: The Educational Mentor Program works with the Seventeenth Judicial District of Colorado and pair's attorney's with students from local schools who have been identified as children at-risk for academic underachievement or failure due to high absenteeism. "The Education Mentor Program seeks out attorneys who are willing to participate in the program in one of two capacities: (1) as an Education Mentor assisting a student; or (2) as a Volunteer Attorney aiding participating school districts in filing cases in an attempt to facilitate participation in the program." Each Education Mentor counsels the student on the importance of education to the student's future and works with the school and the child's family to assist in accessing available services to meet the child's mental, physical, psychological, and educational needs. The program's goal is to eliminate truant behavior and to promote pro-social development by stressing educational success, positive peer relationships, and family support for academic achievement. Mentors are required to donate 25 hours of service during the year and training is provided.

Foster Parent Representation: The Rocky Mountain Children's Law Center's Crisis Call Hotline receives over 2,000 calls, many from foster parents needing legal advice and assistance. Through advice and consultation as well as legal services, the Law Center aims to meet the individual needs of children and implement legislation aimed at expediting permanent homes. The Law Center recruits and trains attorneys to provide pro bono representation for these foster parents with the goal of achieving permanent, loving homes for children. The time commitment varies depending on severity and circumstance of each individual case.

For further information please visit us at: www.rockymountainchildrenslawcenter.org or email Gloria Alaniz at: galaniz@law.du.edu