Legal Advocacy & Impact Litigation

We work strategically and collaboratively with co-counsel partners, community organizations, and named plaintiffs to bring impact litigation that represents broad classes of children and youth across multiple public systems.

Browse Legal Cases

Focus AreaCase Jurisdiction
StatusCase TypeLocation

COPAA v. DeVos, 2020

Filing Date2020-08-10
In August 2020, NCYL, on behalf of The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Betsy DeVos for attempting to siphon emergency federal COVID-19 funding away from K-12 public schools and the students they serve.
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Loleta Schools Civil Rights Complaint

Filing Date2013-12-18
Loleta Elementary is the only non-charter school in Loleta, and was overseen by Sally Hadden who served as both the superintendent of the District and school principal. Many of the complaints specifically concern the treatment of Native American students by Ms. Hadden.
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Katie A. v. Bontá

Filing Date2002-07-18
NCYL is co-counsel in the case of Katie A. v. Bontá, a child welfare reform class action against the California Department of Health Services (DHS), Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
Inactive
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Clark K. v Willden

Filing Date2006-11-30
The National Center for Youth Law first filed suit to reform the child welfare system in Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada in 2006. That lawsuit, Clark K. v. Willden (formerly Clark K. v. Guinn), was a class action on behalf of all children in the county's child welfare system.
Inactive
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Braam v. DSHS

Filing Date1998-11-03
This case was originally brought by 13 current and former foster children seeking damages for injuries they suffered as a result of the state's practice of shuttling them from one foster care placement to another.
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Sigma Beta XI v. County of Riverside

Filing Date2018-07-01
This lawsuit alleges that Riverside County, California, through its Probation office, targets, ensnares, and discriminates against children by stripping them of their constitutional rights.
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San Juan Unified School District Civil Rights Complaint

Filing Date2017-12-18
This civil rights complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education on December 18, 2017 alleges Mira Loma High School discriminates against African American students through its racially hostile educational environment.
Inactive
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Denise Cowan v. Bolivar County Board of Education

Filing Date1965-07-25
On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court issued the landmark decision of Brown v. Board of Education, holding that “in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place.” A year later, on May 31, 1955, the Supreme Court issued a second order directing compliance with Brown “with all deliberate speed.” 
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Terry D. v. Rader

Filing Date1978-05-08
Working with Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma, NCYL attorneys, including David Lambert, challenged appalling conditions and practices in Oklahoma training schools, including hog-tying, beatings, and lengthy periods of solitary confinement. The lawsuit resulted in the closure of five juvenile institutions.
Inactive
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Browse Resources

Focus AreaAudience
Location

Fact Sheet: English Language Assessment for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in California Schools

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Fact Sheet: Using the California Caregiver Affidavit for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Recently Released from ORR Custody

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Fact Sheet: Enrolling Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Recently Released from ORR Custody in California Schools

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Know Your Rights: Student Protests

Know Your Rights: Student Protests

To help students know their rights when it comes to First Amendment activity on school campuses, NCYL has compiled the following resources
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The Urgent Need for Child-Centered Artificial Intelligence Policies

The Urgent Need for Child-Centered Artificial Intelligence Policies

Never before in all of human history have the sleek threads of technology been so tightly woven into the tender fabric of a child’s daily existence. In the arena of technology and artificial intelligence, where innovation and implementation are developing at extraordinary speed, children and youth are being presented with extraordinary opportunities for learning and entertainment as well as substantial risks to their well-being and rights.
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What to do if your student experiences harassment in Williamson County Public Schools

What to do if your student experiences harassment in Williamson County Public Schools

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Addressing identity-based bullying or harassment in public schools

Addressing identity-based bullying or harassment in public schools

When your child first tells you they are being bullied based on their identity, it can be an emotionally triggering discovery. As you navigate your conversation, collect the following information to help you best advocate for your child’s well-being.
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Beware the Fine Print

Beware the Fine Print

This issue brief will highlight where and how those costs are imposed, how they challenge system-involved youth and families, and recommendations for systemic change.
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