Fifth Upstate Model Family Representation Office Grant

ILS announces the availability of funds and solicits proposals from New York State counties outside of New York City to establish a model Family Representation Office (“Model Office”) to provide legal representation to adults eligible for assigned counsel under New York Family Court Act (FCA) §262 and County Law Article 18-B. The intent of this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is to improve the quality of legal representation provided to adults in Family Court matters under County Law Article 18-B by establishing a Model Office that will implement standards and best practices in these matters consistent with the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System (“ABA’s Ten Principles”),1 ILS’ Standards for Parental Representation in State Intervention Matters (“ILS’ Standards”),2 and ILS’ Caseload Standards for Parents’ Attorneys in New York State Family Court Mandated Representation Cases (“ILS’ Family Court Caseload Standards”).3
The defining features of the Model Office will be caseload relief, timely access to counsel, and an interdisciplinary, holistic model of representation that uses a defense team to address both the legal and social service needs of clients.