In this short video, FIRST Legal Clinic Attorney Adam Ballout explains why the clinic was created and how early legal and parent ally support can change the entire trajectory for a newborn and their family.
The Problem Families Face
Drawing from more than a decade as a dependency attorney, Adam describes what it was like to arrive at emergency shelter care hearings where parents had already lost their infants. In Washington State, parents are not appointed an attorney until three days after their children are removed. By the time he met many of these families, the emotional and practical damage was already done. He saw parents who were not present because they did not understand the process and parents who were devastated by decisions they had no chance to prepare for.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Over the years, Adam noticed a clear pattern. When families had access to an attorney early, especially those with the financial ability to hire private counsel, their outcomes were dramatically different. Early support meant better planning, stronger communication with healthcare providers, and fewer unnecessary removals. Families without that support were far more likely to enter the child welfare system, often in moments of crisis right after birth.
These experiences led directly to the creation of FIRST Legal Clinic.
How FIRST Works
Adam explains that FIRST acts as a first responder for families during the critical window immediately before and after birth. The clinic receives referrals from hospitals, community partners, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Once a referral comes in, the team makes immediate contact with the parent, connects them with a trained parent ally who has successfully navigated the system, and helps identify what the family needs to stay safe and stable.
Parents are guided through hospital discharge concerns, connected to community resources, and supported by a team that stays with them through the earliest days of their child’s life.
Creating Long-Term Stability
The goal is not only to prevent unnecessary separation at birth but also to interrupt the generational cycles of trauma that occur when families are repeatedly pulled into systems that do not reflect their needs. With clear guidance, compassionate advocacy, and real connection to resources, families are far more likely to stay safely together with their newborns and avoid system involvement.
Watch the Video
Watch the full video below to learn how FIRST Legal Clinic began and why early legal advocacy is transforming the way families are supported in Washington State.