The Alliance's Guardianship Program represents the over 300,000 children in Los Angeles County living with non-parent caregivers. Guardianship not only affords the caregivers legal authority over a child's educational and medical welfare and allows them access to available financial benefits, it provides vital emotional and physical security to children who are in desperate need of a stable, caring placement. Legal guardianship also protects children and caregivers from the possibility of an unfit or even dangerous parent removing a child from their care. Attorneys in attendance will be provided with a basic overview of the substantive and procedural issues related to Probate Guardianship matters, and will thereafter have an opportunity to assist caregivers in completing guardianship paperwork and represent the caregivers at their guardianship hearings. Cases are extensively screened and all information necessary for completion of the guardianship case is acquired prior to placement by The Alliance. All guardianship matters placed with pro bono attorneys are uncontested, unless otherwise requested by attorney. Guardianship cases typically require a time commitment of approximately 15 to 25 hours over a period of two-to-three months, and pro bono attorneys are trained on guardianship matters.

Individuals interested in attending should contact Diego Cartagena at d.cartagena@kids-alliance.org or at 213-368-6010.