DESCRIPTION: Legal aid program that offers legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals, typically in the areas of disability law, elder law and family law Free or low cost legal services help people who are unable to afford a lawyer get access to the court system. MORE INFORMATION Provides free legal advocacy for foster care youth in Minnesota. Appointed by the court to provide legal representation to children who are either wards of the state or have been removed from their homes because they are in need of protection. Also provides legal representation to foster children who request help.

DESCRIPTION: Program that works on behalf of individuals and/or groups to make sure that they receive the benefits and services for which they are eligible MORE INFORMATION Provides free legal advocacy for foster care youth in Minnesota. Children's Law Center advocates for foster children through systemic reform and provides free legal representation services to foster children

DESCRIPTION: An ombudsman is a neutral party who investigates consumer complaints. They work with both the consumer and the organization to resolve consumer issues and improve customer service. MORE INFORMATION Provides a fair, neutral and transparent environment between state and county agencies and families of color in Minnesota Each of the following communities has an Ombudsperson: the Indian Affairs Council, the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, the Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans An Ombudsperson is an independent government official responsible for reviewing government and government-regulated agencies in an effort to ensure that their practices are fair, reasonable and appropriate. To do this, the ombudsman: * Receives complaints solely active child protection investigations and/or court cases * Reviews and investigates complaints * Makes recommendations to the agencies to resolve the complaints Types of issues Office of the Ombudspersons for Families can assist with: * Child Protection matters - Child out-of-home placements and foster care issues * Unjust or discriminatory treatment by child protection services related to an active case Cannot help with: * Cannot give legal advice * Cannot investigate court decisions * Does not investigate attorneys, police, judges, or elected officials, or their decisions and actions * Does not investigate federal agencies