CENTER FOR FAMILY REPRESENTATION INC

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROJECT (CAP) 608,249: CAP PROVIDES 'EARLY DEFENSE' TO PARENTS FACING A CITY INVESTIGATION OF MALTREATMENT, WITH THE GOAL OF AVOIDING A COURT PROSECUTION ALTOGETHER AND KEEPING FAMILIES INTACT AND CONNECTED TO SERVICES. CAP ALSO PROVIDES PARENTS WITH REPRESENTATION TO MODIFY THE STATE RECORDS THAT CORRESPOND TO A FAMILY POLICING INVESTIGATION; THE RECORDS OFTEN PREVENT PARENTS FROM SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN FIELDS WHERE EMPLOYERS REGULARLY CHECK THESE RECORDS. WHEN A PARENT'S FAMILY DEFENSE CASE IS DISMISSED OR THEY HAVE OVERCOME CHALLENGES THAT LEAD TO MALTREATMENT CHARGES, CAP ASSISTS PARENTS WITH AMENDING THESE RECORDS, THUS EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR CLIENTS. HOME FOR GOOD 1,488,767: CFR FAMILIES OFTEN FACE SEVERAL CHALLENGES IN ADDITION TO A FAMILY COURT CASE AND OFTEN NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE AREAS OF HOUSING (TO PREVENT EVICTION AND OBTAIN STABLE HOUSING), IMMIGRATION (TO ACHIEVE LEGAL STATUS AND ACCESS CULTURALLY COMPETENT SERVICES), PUBLIC BENEFITS (TO SECURE AND SUSTAIN IMPORTANT BENEFITS LIKE MEDICAID), AND IN CRIMINAL COURT (TO DEFEND ALLEGATIONS THAT ARE RELATED TO THEIR FAMILY COURT CASE). CHALLENGES IN ANY OF THESE AREAS CAN LEAD CHILDREN TO ENTER, REMAIN IN, OR RE-ENTER THE FOSTER SYSTEM. OUR HOME FOR GOOD INITIATIVE GIVES FAMILIES AN EFFICIENT ONE-STOP SOLUTION TO PROVIDE THEM WITH NEEDED ADVOCACY IN THESE OTHER AREAS AND SO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES STABLE. OUR CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TEAM, IMMIGRATION TEAM, AND CRIMINAL DEFENSE TEAMS ASSIST MORE THAN 650 FAMILIES ANNUALLY TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN HOME FOR GOOD.