We’re honored to be featured in a recent opinion column by Claudia Rowe in The Seattle Times, highlighting the origins and impact of FIRST Legal Clinic’s work to keep families together and prevent unnecessary involvement with the child welfare system.
The article follows the experience of a parent supported by FIRST and traces how our model was created to intervene earlier, connect families with legal guidance and community resources, and reduce the trauma caused by child removal. It also shares the story behind FIRST’s founding and the role of parent allies, attorneys, and community partners in supporting families through moments of crisis.
Since launching in 2019, FIRST Legal Clinic has worked with more than 1,600 families across Washington State, helping 79% of them resolve their cases without child removal. As the article notes, this approach is now being recognized and replicated nationally.
We’re grateful to Claudia Rowe for taking the time to tell this story and to the families who trust FIRST during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/parent-allies-share-hard-earned-wisdom-to-keep-families-together/