The Children’s Attorneys Project in Nevada: Giving a Voice to Abused and Neglected Children
The Children’s Attorneys Project Nevada helps thousands of children who enter the foster care system each year due to abuse, neglect, or unsafe home environments. For these vulnerable kids, having a dedicated legal advocate can make the difference between ongoing instability and finding safety, permanence, and a brighter future.
That’s where the Children’s Attorneys Project (CAP) comes in.
What Is the Children’s Attorneys Project in Nevada?
The Children’s Attorneys Project is a flagship program of the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN). CAP was launched in 1999 and provides client-directed legal representation to vulnerable children in Clark County’s dependency court system.
Unlike a guardian ad litem (who tells the court what they believe is best for the child), CAP attorneys represent the child’s expressed wishes while also protecting their legal rights. This client-centered approach empowers children to have a voice in decisions that will shape the rest of their lives — including where they live, visitation with family, education, and medical care.
Who Does the Children’s Attorneys Project Nevada Help?
CAP attorneys and volunteer lawyers represent:
- Children in the foster care system
- Survivors of sex trafficking
- Youth needing special education services and school advocacy
- Children requiring minor guardianship for stability, medical decisions, or school enrollment
- Kids whose educational rights are being denied by the school district
The program has grown significantly from one staff attorney in 1999 to a robust team that, together with hundreds of pro bono volunteers, aims to represent every child in Clark County foster care.
Why Strong Legal Representation Matters for Foster Children
Children in dependency cases face life-altering court decisions. Without an attorney voicing their perspective, these children may go unheard in the system that making decisions that directly impact them.
CAP attorneys also advocate for mental health services, medical care, and long-term stability.
Every Child Deserves a Voice, How to Get Involved
The Children’s Attorneys Project stands as a model program in Nevada and has received national recognition for its excellence in children’s law. For 25+ years, it has been changing trajectories, one child, one case, one voice at a time.
Several of the attorneys at Connor & Connor have been honored to volunteer for the Children’s Attorneys Project. If you’re an attorney looking to make a meaningful impact, reach out to the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada today.
Contact Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada 725 E. Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89104 Phone: (702) 386-1070
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal advice. For help with a specific case, contact an attorney.
