On April 1, 2021 LCYC launched a Virtual Lawyering Program (VLAW)! Young people are a vulnerable and often overlooked population in the delivery of civil legal aid, and many reside in communities where there are no civil legal services available to them – so called “legal deserts.” VLAW is designed to address the following major access to justice gaps in Washington State: (1) Youth Homelessness, (2) Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and (3) Right to Counsel.
YOUTH HOMELESSNESS
VLAW is targeting a new pilot county for our Youth Homelessness Program and providing services throughout the state. VLAW has chosen Clark County as its pilot county. Clark County is geographically unique from the other four counties we currently serve as it is southwestern Washington and is a large county by Washington standards with no access to youth attorneys. Youth experiencing homelessness make up a large number (over 3,000 students) of the student population, and almost 50% of the youth are students of color. We are partnering with the Clark County Volunteer Lawyer Program (CCVLP) to serve young people in the area. Statewide, VLAW will provide needed civil legal advocacy for homeless youth ages 12-17, connecting with youth through partnerships with service providers, volunteer lawyer programs, schools and other community organizations.
SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE STATUS (SIJS)
VLAW plans to expand statewide access to SIJS for unaccompanied youth. Unaccompanied youth who have experienced parental abuse/neglect/abandonment or have no parent available to care for them are eligible for a youth visa (SIJS). VLAW will prepare all the necessary documents, and work with an immigration attorney to assist young people in applying for the visa. VLAW hopes to roll out this piece in the fall 2021 and will begin accepting a few cases before that date.
RIGHT TO COUNSEL
Unlike most states, Washington fails to provide an attorney for every child in dependency proceedings. Some counties provide attorneys to children at public expense, but the child must request the attorney while not given access to legal assistance in arguing the motion to appoint counsel. VLAW plans to work with youth to request counsel, argue the motion, and/or work with local counsel to do so.
The Youth Homelessness Program has already launched! The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Right to Counsel programs will be launching soon. To keep up to date with these programs, visit the VLAW webpage. If you are or know a young person who is interested in accessing services, email vlaw@lcycwa.org or call 1-888-278-9825.