Founded in 1975 as a non-profit legal service, Juvenile Law Center (JLC) is one of the oldest multi-issue public interest law firms for children in the United States. JLC maintains a national litigation practice that includes appellate and amicus work. JLC promotes juvenile justice and child welfare reform in Pennsylvania and nationwide through policy initiatives and public education forums.
JLC uses the law to protect and promote children’s rights and interests in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring that public systems do not harm children and youth in their care. JLC works to ensure that the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, which were created to help vulnerable children and youth, provide them with access to education, housing, physical and behavioral health care, employment opportunities and other services that will enable them to become productive adults.
JLC seeks to achieve its mission to support children and youth by:
JLC’s legal and public education and training services are provided at no cost to our clients or to participants. We accept private contributions as well as foundation support.