A significant number of children in the foster care system are diagnosed with developmental disabilities. The case of L.J. v. OPWDD and ACS challenges the city and state’s chronic abdication of their duties to provide appropriate care for children with developmental disabilities who are in the foster care system, often leading to inappropriate institutionalization. The case seeks to ensure that foster children with developmental disabilities receive their foster care services in the most integrated settings – generally in the community – and are appropriately and timely transitioned into community-based placements with OPWDD when they age out of foster care.

Click here to read the Court of Appeals Decision.

Pro bono co-counsel: Patterson Belknap