Welcome

The Barton Child Law and Policy Center promotes and protects the legal rights and interests of children who are involved with the juvenile court, child welfare, and youth justice systems. The Center’s work is directed by Emory Law faculty and performed by law and other graduate students who provide holistic legal representation to youth clients at trial and in administrative proceedings, support appeals to protect the right to family integrity and advance system reform strategies through research, public education, policy development, and legislative advocacy.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Barton Center is to promote and protect the legal rights and interests of children who are involved with the juvenile court, child welfare, and youth justice systems in the state of Georgia. We aim to inspire excellence among professionals and to prepare emerging practitioners for successful and rewarding careers in child advocacy.

The Center achieves its reform objectives through research-based policy development, legislative advocacy, and high-quality legal representation at the trial and appellate levels.

The Barton Child Law and Policy Center promotes and protects the legal rights of children in the juvenile court.
We train the next generation of child advocacy professionals in an interdisciplinary setting.
A multi-disciplinary law office where students learn the range of competencies essential for successful lawyers.
The resources below may direct you to information, resources, and contacts that may be helpful in your situation.

News from the Barton Center

woman holds up cell phone showing photo of her children while wiping away tears

When Families Need Housing, Georgia Will Pay for Foster Care Rather Than Provide Assistance

In more than 700 cases over five years, Georgia reported inadequate housing as the sole reason for taking a child into foster care, a WABE and ProPublica analysis found. Advocates say it...
pexels_taxes

Tax credit to help kids aging out of foster care raises nearly $10 million

ATLANTA — A nonprofit formed to help administer a new state tax credit to support foster children aging out of the system raised nearly $10 million during its first year....
family members being interviewed by news team

Families frustrated over child welfare intervention

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - As the U.S. Senate subcommittee held its fourth hearing Thursday into the nation’s foster care system, four families who’ve had heartbreaking experiences with Georgia’s system are...

Barton Center Newsletter

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