Children’s Representation Program

WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF CIVIL LEGAL AID

Underwriting Justice | Ensuring Accountability

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

OCLA administers the Children’s Representation Program (CRP). The mission of the CRP is to underwrite and oversee the delivery of effective standards-based, trauma-informed, and culturally-competent attorney representation for children subject to dependency and termination proceedings in Washington State.

RCW 13.34.212 governs the appointment of counsel for children in dependency and termination proceedings. Pursuant to RCW 13.34.212(1)(a) “the court shall appoint an attorney for a child in a dependency proceeding six months after granting a petition to terminate the parent-child relationship.” Children whose parents’ rights have been terminated are often referred to as “legally free.” Legally free children who remain dependent six months post-termination of parental rights have been afforded the right to counsel under the law since 2014.

In 2021, the Legislature expanded a child’s right to counsel in dependency proceedings. Codified at RCW 13.34.212(3), this new legislation ensures, subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose:

  • Appointment of counsel for all children 0-7 upon the filing of a termination petition
  • Appointment of counsel for all children 8-17 years old at or before the commencement of the shelter care hearing and for any pending or open dependency case where counsel has not already been appointed or privately secured

The implementation of this new legislation shall be phased in, county by county, over a six year period, beginning in at least three counties by July 1, 2022 and being fully implemented across the state by January 1, 2028. (See Implementation Schedule below.) OCLA is responsible for the development of the phase-in schedule, as well as the recruitment, training, oversight, and payment of attorneys appointed thereunder.  OCLA is further responsible for recruiting, training, overseeing and paying attorneys appointed to represent young people in Extended Foster Care pursuant to RCW 13.34.267-268 under the same implementation schedule. OCLA will prioritize continuity of counsel for children who are already represented by counsel at county expense when the legislation becomes effective in that county. Courts continue to be responsible for the actual appointment of attorneys under this law.

Attorneys contracted with OCLA are required to adhere to the Children’s Representation Practice, Caseload, and Training Standards adopted by the Washington State Supreme Court Commission on Children in Foster Care in September 2022.

If you are an attorney licensed in the State of Washington and want to be considered for inclusion in the panel of contracting attorneys, please click here to learn more or contact:

Bailey Zydek
Children’s Representation Program Director
Office of Civil Legal Aid
PO Box 41183
Olympia, WA 98504-1183
bailey.zydek@ocla.wa.gov
360-338-5619

Current Opportunities

We are not currently seeking qualified attorneys on an independent contracting basis to provide standards-based legal representation to children and youth in dependency and termination proceedings. However, if you have interest in a particular county or simply want more information on working with our program, please contact the Program Director Bailey Zydek at bailey.zydek@ocla.wa.gov.

Recruitment for Asotin, Chelan, Clark, Columbia, Douglas, Garfield, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Whitman Counties will begin in 2025. For more information on the CRP’s recruitment schedule, see below.

Implementation Schedule

The following counties will be operational pursuant to RCW 13.34.212(3)(c) by the dates listed:

July 1, 2022: Cowlitz, Grant, and Lewis
Jan. 1, 2023: Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, Walla Walla, and Yakima
Jan. 1, 2024: Adams, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Mason, Pacific, Skamania, and Thurston
Jan. 1, 2025: Ferry, Pend Oreille, Pierce, Stevens, and Wahkiakum
Jan. 1, 2026: Asotin, Chelan, Clark, Columbia, Douglas, Garfield, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Whitman
Jan. 1, 2027: Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom
Jan. 1, 2028: Island, King, and San Juan

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