Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC)

Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC) improves the well-being of young people by advancing their legal rights. LCYC accomplishes its mission through direct representation, strong community partnerships, and systemic advocacy. LCYC's four main focus areas include: child welfare, juvenile court, immigrant youth and families, and youth homelessness.  LCYC was created, and has continued to evolve, in response to community needs and service gaps, expanding access to justice for young people in Washington. LCYC provides direct legal services to approximately 600 young people annually, from toddlers to 24 years in age.  LCYC provides community-based, holistic legal advocacy. It meets youth where they are - geographically, developmentally, emotionally, culturally, and linguistically. It collaborates with the youth, family members, educators, service providers, and other community partners to ensure that the legal and non-legal needs of the youth are met.   LCYC empowers youth by helping them understand and engage in complex legal systems impacting their lives and their families. It helps youth understand and assess legal issues, options, potential consequences, and opportunities, before the youth determines the path forward. For pre-verbal children, or those otherwise unable to cognitively direct legal representation, it delves into the child's world, connecting with key supports and professionals to understand the child's needs and family, advocating to protect the child's legal rights.