For Their Own Good

Juvenile delinquents get sent upstate because it’s supposed to be a better environment than their homes. The Department of Probation has a new idea: Fix the family instead.

Called Safe

A spate of deaths, starvations and other horrors are recent reminders that too many foster homes are anything but havens for endangered kids. Why does it happen? If only their caseworkers knew.

Misrepresenting Families

Absurdly low fees for attorneys who represent poor parents in family court aren’t just a problem for counsel: Parents who can’t find lawyers can’t get their kids out of foster care, either.

Keeping Close Counsel

Mayor Giuliani’s bitter downsizing of Legal Aid’s criminal defense practice has had a surprising consequence: New York has a new wave of lawyers who add social work to their motions and pleas.