These resources are organized by subject area with links to agencies and descriptions.
Look for legal resources both under the subject areas (like Education Advocacy) and in the Legal Help category.
The Civil Rights Project is located in Los Angeles, California. Many organizations listed are located in Metro L.A.
However, there are many others that provide resources across the 50 states and on-line.
The Civil Rights Project does NOT endorse any organizations listed.
Agency Contact Info:
https://www.myschoolmyrights.com/
Services and Eligibility
“My School, My Rights” is a collaboration of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Northern California, the ACLU of Southern California, and the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties and is published by their statewide Education Equity Project.
Know Your Civil Rights resources for public school students and various other guides and resources are available.
Agency contact info:
51 West 30th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 947-9779
info@advocatesforchildren.org
Services and Eligibility
Advocates for Children of New York works on behalf of children who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure due to poverty, disability, race, ethnicity, immigrant or English Language Learner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.
Fees and Hours
Find important info here to access services and resources.
Agency contact info:
4525 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 150
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 213.368.6010
Services and Eligibility
Alliance for Children’s Rights assists clients in Los Angeles. The Alliance does NOT typically handle disciplinary issues. It’s mission is to assist children and youth in out-of-home or foster care though programs (Special Education, Healthcare, Adoptions, Benefits and Guardianships). It addresses issues such as open dependency cases and special education (no general education discipline issues).
Student is eligible for services if in foster care.
Fees and Hours
Find the intake form and more assistance here.
Agency Contact Info
Modesto (Headquarters)
1020 15th Street
Suite 20
Modesto, CA 95354
Phone (209) 577-3811.
Offices are located throughout the state in rural areas and small cities. Find a location: https://crla.org/locations
Services and Eligibility
California Rural Legal Assistance provides services to agricultural workers, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, public school students and families, seniors, veterans, and people with limited English proficiency. CRLA serves mainly low-income individuals residing in over 22 California counties.
Fees and Hours
Legal services are provided at no cost. Get help with K-12 education matters: https://crla.org/get-help/k-12-education
Agency Contact Info:
3050 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Tel:213-738-6621; (213) 738-6700
childrenrights@swlaw.edu
Jenny Rodriguez-Fee ’08
Clinical Professor of Law | Director, Children’s Rights Clinic
Tel: 213-738-6607
jrfee@swlaw.edu
Services and Eligibility
Children’s Rights Clinic at Southwestern Law School provides representation to low-income children in the areas of school discipline, special education and other education-related issues. The clinic is staffed by law students who represent clients under the supervision of Professor Jenny Rodriguez-Fee.
Eligibility: low to middle-income families, but no specific restrictions. Children must reside in Los Angeles County to be eligible and who would not otherwise be able to obtain legal representation. The age range is between 3 and 22 years old.
Fees and Hours
Appointment only. 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday.
Free service is limited and based on specific income levels.
Agency Contact Info:
8410 South Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90003
(323) 752-9997
info@cadre-la.org
Services and Eligibility
Community Asset Development Re-defining Education helps Los Angeles parents understand their situations and works closely with Public Counsel to see if they can assist.
There are no eligibility requirements, however, CADRE is best equipped to assist parents with children attending a school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, and especially in Local District 7. Parents could also be South LA residents with children in other local districts. Best to call first for info on on strategies and activities.
Fees and Hours
Appointment only.
9am-5pm, Monday – Friday.
Agency Contact Info:
Disability Rights Legal Center
700 S. Flower Street Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Main Phone Number:
(213) 736-1031
Nationwide Toll-Free Phone Number:
(866) 999-3752
Services and Eligibility:
The Disability Rights Legal Center Civil Rights Litigation program provides holistic legal assistance to people with disabilities and advocates for equity, inclusion, and access. These cases create systemic changes that benefit people with disabilities nationwide by reshaping attitudes, challenging perceptions, and influencing future policies, procedures, and structures.
Fees and Hours
Contact the Disability Rights Legal Center directly.
Agency Contact Info:
Sacramento Office (Main)
1831 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95811-4114
If you are an individual, family member, or advocate for someone with a disability and have questions about legal rights related to your disability, call: 1-800-776-5746
or TTY call: 1-800-719-5798
Services and Eligibility:
Disability Rights California‘s purpose is to help Californians with disabilities access their rights and services. DRC works to make sure students with disabilities have what they need to do well in school, that they get equal educational opportunities in the most integrated settings, (under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)), and can access educational opportunities that enrich them both academically and socially (as guaranteed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Fees and Phone Hours:
Available Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday from 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Our intake line is closed on Wednesdays.
We do not discriminate on the basis of immigration status.
Agency Contact Info:
2215 N. Broadway Unit B
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 221-6696
Services and Eligibility:
Fiesta Educativa’s nonprofit mission is to enhance the lives of children, youth, and adults with disabilities. It works closely with parents of children with disabilities so the parents are well aware of the rights and privileges of their children, and the children will have the proper help and be able to grow and develop in the best way possible. The agency informs and assists Latino families in obtaining services and in caring for their children with special needs. The nonprofit provides parent training, community outreach, advocacy for children with special needs, and parent support groups.
It has offices in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County and San Bernardino.
Fees and Hours:
Walk-in, appointments. 8:30am-5pm, Monday-Friday. Call to check on hours and schedule.
Agency Contact Info:
For more information about our work and how to get involved, email us at info@fixschooldiscipline.org
Services and Eligibility
Fix School Discipline – a project of Public Counsel – is a comprehensive resource for students, parents, community leaders, organizations, advocates, school superintendents, principals, teachers, and anyone interested in learning how to eliminate harsh discipline practices that push students out of school, and instead enact solutions that work for all students.
It provides a Toolkit, model policies, research and other publications to help implement or advocate for supportive, inclusive discipline policies that hold students accountable and improve school climate and safety for all members of the school community.
Agency Contact Info:
1625 West Olympic Blvd.
Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: 213-315-5409
Services and Eligibility
Learning Rights Law Center provides services to low-income students and their families. The following services are available to students who are 3 – 22 years old: (1) consultations; (2) direct representation; and (3) parent training.
At diagnostic intake clinics, parents and/or students meet one-on-one with a Learning Rights advocate to discuss the student’s education issues. Parents are advised by an attorney as to the student’s rights and are given actionable steps to remedy the issues at hand. When appropriate, students and their families are provided with legal representation to resolve the student’s education issues.
Fees and Hours
Call 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday for a diagnostics intake session. The intake is free.
Agency Contact Info:
333 South Beaudry, 17th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Ph: (800) 933-8133
Fax: (213) 241-8915
spedsfss@lausd.net
Services and Eligibility
The Los Angeles Unified School District Division of Special Education serves students with learning and/or behavior issues who may be eligible for supports, as provided in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Virtual parent workshops on understanding the IEP process and other parental learning opportunities are offered.
Fees and Hours
The call center team of the School and Family Support Services provides immediate assistance Monday through Friday.
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (PST)
Phone: (213) 241-6701
Agency Contact Info:
820 First St. NE, Suite 740
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-408-9514
Fax: 202-408-9520
TDD/TTY: 202-408-9521
Services and Eligibility
NDRN is a national, nonprofit organization that provides legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States. It offers coordination for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) and deals with educational issues for persons with disabilities, at the national level.
Agency Contact Info:
610 S. Ardmore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 385-2977
Services and Eligibility
Public Counsel Law Center, Children’s Rights Division provides free direct legal services and support or matches clients with pro bono advocates, ensuring they have a partner standing with them, their families, and our communities as they pursue justice. Several different projects exist that specialize in different areas of law.
Fees and Hours
Its services are free to low income families as long as they meet income eligibility. Appointment only. 9am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday. Areas of law and extensions listed here.
Agency Contact Info:
Tel:213-738-6621
Services and Eligibility
The Children’s Rights Clinic provides representation to low-income children in the areas of school discipline, special education and other education related issues. The clinic is staffed by law students who represent clients under the supervision of Professors Julie Waterstone and Jenny Rodriguez-Fee. Students have the opportunity in a real-life context to hone their lawyering skills such as interviewing, negotiating, counseling, pre-trial litigation, litigation and oral advocacy.
Fees and Hours
Call or email the Clinic for information.
Agency Contact Info:
Services and Eligibility
Free newsletter and website focused on Special Education that is national in scope. It provides parents, advocates, educators, and attorneys with accurate, up-to-date information on special education law and a very wide variety of related topics so they can be effective catalysts. This resource can be utilized to gain a working knowledge of a variety of topics.