Legal Help for Adoption/Foster Families Dealing with RAD

Navigating the legal side of raising a foster, adopted, or kinship child can be overwhelming—especially when attachment struggles like Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) are part of the picture. Whether it’s special education law, child welfare investigations, or custody-related issues, families need solid information and support from people who understand these realities. This list includes advocacy organizations, rights guides, and legal resources recommended by parents, professionals, and attorneys experienced in adoption- and trauma-related challenges.

• Ascend Justice
  Provides legal advocacy and family defense services for families who have DCFS investigations or appeals.
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)
  Advocacy group that works with the Congress Adoption Caucus and facilitates involvement from the community including adoptive families and adoptees. If you want to get involved with the Adoption Caucus this is the organization you go through.
• Congressional Mental Health Caucus
  Contact your representatives about mental health legislation and reforms.
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA)
  Provides legal advocacy and resources for students with disabilities and their families.
• Parents USA
  Advocates for the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit, so long as they are not harmed and provides legal advocacy if contacted with appropriate cases.
• What to do when CPS comes knocking
  (Diane Redleaf, Civil Rights Attorney)
  In this interview, I asked Diane how falsely accused parents and caregivers can successfully navigate the child protection system. While this cannot substitute for legal advice or address individual circumstances, she offers our families invaluable guidance and tips.

Legal Advocacy

• LifeSpan Trauma
• Attach Families, Katie Noto
• Dr. Sheila Kay Rapa, Psy.D. 

Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out: Adoption-Competent Organizations & RAD Advocacy