The Family Defense Center
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Legal Advocacy
Legal Advocacy
The Family Defense Center is co-lead counsel in Dupuy v. Samuels, a class action suit on behalf of families whose constitutional rights are violated in child protection investigations. The second part of Dupuy, or Dupuy II, concerns ?safety plans,? under which DCFS forces parents or children leave their homes during an investigation on the basis of mere suspicion, is presently the subject of a petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Family Defense Center provides legal representation on a sliding fee scale to persons in child protection investigations and appeals, in accordance with our case acceptance guidelines and available resources. Since its inception in January 2007, the FDC has assisted over 170 families.
Outreach and Legal Education
In 2007, the FDC provided several training/legal education seminars in 2007, including a two-day seminar in conjunction with the National Association of Social Workers (hosted by Northwestern University), a training for the Cook County Public Defenders? Juvenile Division on the cross-examination of medical experts, and presentations to several bar associations and law schools.
In 2008, we will begin offering a monthly Parent Empowerment Program, which will allow family members an opportunity to obtain information about the child protection and legal systems and have questions answered by our legal staff.
Where we work
External reviews
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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The Family Defense Center
Board of directorsas of 10/24/2019
Michael Weaver
McDermott Will & Emory
Term: 2015 - 2016
Michael W. Weaver
McDermott Will & Emery
Kathleen Barry
Winston & Strawn LLP
William Binder
Rabobank International
Michael Koenigsberger
Grund & Leavitt
Ashlie N Tyler
SAGA Innovations
Eileen Felson
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services
Antoinette Kavanaugh
Denise Lazar
Barnes & Thornburg
Padraig McCoid