Family Justice Law Center

Fighting for families harmed by the child welfare system

The Family Justice Law Center uses affirmative litigation to seek justice for families mistreated by the child welfare system. We challenge systemic abuses of government power that lead to the illegal surveillance and separation of families. We seek redress for harms, while promoting change that would help families survive and thrive.

Learn More

Some Of The Numbers

  • 400,000

    Children in government custody in the foster care system, 200,000 of whom are children of color.

  • 53%

    Black children’s homes investigated by child welfare officials.

  • $2.6 Billion

    The amount spent each year subsidizing nearly half a million adoptions even though many of those adopted have loving parents eager to raise them.

  • 23% → 56%

    Although 23% of children in NYC are Black, they make up 56% of children who are removed from their families and placed into foster care.

  • 22x

    Families below the poverty line are twenty-two times more likely to be involved in the child welfare system than families with incomes slightly above.

  • 5%

    Roughly 5% of New York City children in foster care are white, even though more than a quarter of the city’s children are white.

  • 3 Districts

    Jamaica, Williamsbridge, and East New York: the three NYC districts with the highest foster care populations. They also have the highest proportion of Black residents and child poverty rates.

  • <10%

    Fewer than 10% of children enter foster care because of alleged abuse. The majority of placements are for alleged neglect—frequently inextricably tied to poverty-related issues.

  • >25%

    Substance use allegations have been responsible for more than 25% of all foster care placements in the Bronx over the last ten years.

  • $2.65 Billion

    The NYC Administration for Children’s Services’ annual budget.

  • 90%

    Over 90% of children in foster care in NYC are Black or Hispanic.

Featured Cases

  • Gould v. The City of New York

    Status: Ongoing

    A landmark class action against the City of New York, alleging that the City’s Administration for Children’s Services routinely uses highly coercive tactics to illegally search tens of thousands of families’ homes each year in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Learn more.

  • In the Matter of Sapphire W.

    In the Matter of Sapphire W.

    Status: Decided

    In February 2025, FJLC won a landmark case in the Second Department ending the longstanding and illegal practice of placing survivors of domestic violence under surveillance when they have been accused of no wrongdoing. Learn more.

  • Fraser

    Fraser v. NYC Dep't of Education

    Status: Ongoing

    A federal civil rights lawsuit against the New York City Department of Education (DOE) alleging that the NYC DOE regularly retaliates against parents who challenge inadequate educational services for their disabled children by making false calls to ACS. Learn more.

  • K.W. v. The City of New York

    Status: Ongoing

    When K.A. was just six days old, ACS separated him from the custody of his father, K.W., without a court order and without allowing K.W. to say goodbye. K.W. was never alleged or found to be an unfit parent. And yet K.A. was held in non-kinship foster care for over two years. Learn more.