Center for Children's Advocacy
Center for Children’s Advocacy is the largest children’s legal rights organization in New England. It was founded in 1997 on a $2,000 budget, in loaned office space over the boiler room at UConn Law School. In the 25 years since, CCA has grown to an organization with 25 staff and a nearly $3 million operating budget.
The CCA's mission is to protect and promote the legal rights of Connecticut’s low-income children and youth so they have equitable opportunities for good health, a quality education, and a successful transition to adulthood. CCA provides legal representation, training for professionals, and advocates for system reforms to ensure at-risk children’s basic needs are met and they receive appropriate services from the juvenile justice, education, child welfare, health care and court systems.
CCA is now the largest children’s legal rights organization in New England, with offices in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, and projects in Waterbury, Hamden, and Norwalk. Their Mobile Legal Office breaks down barriers to legal services by traveling to meet youth in their home communities.
Since its founding, CCA has provided individual legal services to over 5,000 children and youth. Over 20,000 children and youth have been impacted by their systemic advocacy. CCA has also brought about significant legislative reforms including:
- A redesign of the state’s system for runaways and truants, transforming it from a punitive to a treatment model;
- Expanded visitation for older children in foster care;
- Changes to camps and other programs so children with disabilities can participate in those programs;
- Increased number of youth living in family settings;
- A Settlement Agreement in Sheff v. O’Neill, which has dramatically increased Hartford children’s access to high quality, integrated schools;
- An overhaul of the state’s alternative school system to create equity in education resources; and
- An improved support system and access to shelter for homeless youth.
