Resources for Current and Former Foster Youth

The Child Advocacy Clinic assists current and former foster youth who reside in the DFW area. Our Services include:

  • Name changes
  • Correcting/applying for identification documents (social security card, driver’s license, state ID, birth certificate)
  • Sealing juvenile and adult records
  • Misdemeanor C cases (traffic tickets, etc.)
  • Access to siblings who are still in care
  • Education advocacy
  • Getting copies of your CPS records
  • For other legal issues, we will provide you with referrals

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to represent you or completely resolve your legal problems. Our intake service is completely free and we will offer, as possible, legal advice on how to proceed. If you need a lawyer and we cannot represent you, we will try to find an attorney to take your case or refer you to other resources. 

Are you at risk for eviction?

There is a FREE resource that may be able to help. It is Stop TX Eviction*.

https://stoptxeviction.org/

Here’s how Stop TX Eviction can help:

  • Get legal information about the eviction process and information about your rights. 
  • Get access to important documents that you can give to your landlord or the court.
  • Apply for legal assistance from organizations in your area that provide free legal services to qualifying tenants.
  • Find out about rental assistance and other resources in your area and how to apply.
  • Chat with a real lawyer about your questions regarding eviction.

*Stop TX Eviction is a collaboration between the three main legal aid providers in Texas (Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Legal Aid of Northwest Texas) and the state legal aid support center, Texas Legal Services Center, with generous funding from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. 

 

Texas Law Help  A great website for general legal information and self-representation forms.
Texas Foster Youth Justice Project   

A one-document, extremely comprehensive guide to aged out benefits and legal issues:

We recommend you press CTRL+F to search the document for the information you need. Contact us with your questions.
Name Change Self Representation Packet  The Clinic prepared this packet to assist those wanting to change their name without an attorney.  However, we highly recommend having an attorney to assist you.  Please send us a note and we can try to help. 
Sealing Juvenile Records This is a handy two pager created by the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project to see if you may qualify for sealing your juvenile records.  Sealing is a complicated matter.  Please consult an attorney to file your actual sealing application.
Sealing Criminal Records  Record sealing is also called an “Order of Nondisclosure” in Texas.  The process for sealing an adult record is more complicated than for a juvenile record.  This is a comprehensive guide created by the State of Texas Courts to assist people in sealing.  You should use it as a resource only and consult an attorney to analyze for eligibility and file your actual sealing application.   
Requesting CPS records  We recommend that you select to receive the records electronically by selecting “An encrypted attachment in PDF format to the e-mail address above” in Section D.

It takes a very long time for DFPS to process these records.  If you need the records sooner due to a case, you may wish to ask an attorney to subpoena the records on your behalf.

Texas Foster Youth Justice Project A branch of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.  TFYJP provides free legal services to aged out foster youth all over Texas. Contact:  1-877-313-3688 or info@texasfosteryouth.org
Legal Aid of Northwest Texas May be able to assist in a large variety of civil legal matters if you qualify for their services.You can fill out an application online, call them to do anintake or go to one of their many locations in the DFW region 
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program  

Legal Aid of Northwest Texas also partners with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program to host intake clinics all around DFW.

Attending one of these clinics will usually allow you to complete Legal Aid’s application and allow you to speak with an attorney about your concerns.
 Catholic Charities   Contact:  214-634-7182

 

Other Specialized free legal services can be found on the Dallas Bar website.

If you are a

Community Service Provider

If you are a community service provider that works in some capacity with foster youth, the Clinic conducts trainings for both youth and service providers who wish to learn how to spot and resolve legal issues.  Please send us a inquiry on the intake form, select “Advocates seeking resources” and a staff member will get in touch with you.
Get Help

Current and Former Foster Youth

If you are a current or former foster youth in need of assistance, please fill out the application and a staff member will get in touch with you. 

 

Application

Law Firm or Lawyer

If you are a lawyer or law firm who wishes to help aged out foster youth by accepting some pro bono cases, please contact our administrative assistant Vanessa Gonzalez at vanessag@smu.edu.
Get Help