Justice for Children and Youth
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Record #:
CDR0050
Last Modified:
30 Dec 2020
Last Full Update:
09 Apr 2019
Record Details
| Social Media |  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-Children-and-Youth-JFCY/137290046290119 Twitter: https://twitter.com/JFCY Website: www.jfcy.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JFCYOntario |
| Social Media |     |
Description & Services
| Alternate Name | JFCY |
| Description | Legal clinic that represents and advocates for youth (under 18yrs) on matters such as: welfare, education, children's aid, getting off the street, family or criminal law. Child Welfare Advises and represents youth who want into or out of children's aid care. Answers questions or concerns about their placement or program while in care. Consent to Treatment Gives legal advice to young persons and care providers regarding the right to consent to and refuse treatment; assists young people who are having trouble getting OHIP. Corrections Law Advocates for youth who are in jail at youth centres or in detention. Custody and Access Represents children and youth who are not living with a parent and are seeking access to siblings only. The Office of the Children's Lawyer represents children and youth in custody and access disputes. They are appointed by the court and the parents' lawyers can request this appointment. Education Law Helps young people who are not living with a parent get enrolled in school; helps children and parents obtain appropriate special education placements by giving legal advice relating to the various processes under the Education Act; provides summary advice to parents throughout Ontario and will consult with other lawyers and clinics to assist them in representing clients outside the Toronto area; represents low-income children and youth who have been suspended or excluded from school or who face expulsion from a school board; gives advice about truancy and about information, records and privacy issues. Immigration Law DOES NOT practice immigration or refugee law. However will assist children and youth obtain OHIP or school enrolment when their immigration status is an issue; and will assist other lawyers and clinics with this area of law as it relates to the Charter and to international human rights instruments. Leaving Home Provides summary advice and representation, when necessary, for young people who have left or are considering leaving their parents' home (issues often involve child welfare, support, family and social assistance law); assists in the recovery of personal possessions being withheld by a parent when a young person leaves home. Mental Health Law Acts for youth who are locked in mental health facilities (secure treatment/psychiatric wards) or who are in a facility for mental health reasons. Social Assistance Represents youth (16-17yrs) who are trying to get general welfare assistance or who have been cut off; gives summary advice to persons seeking the foster parent benefit and to young parents applying for family benefits. Support Provides summary advice to young persons and assistance to legal counsel where youth are seeking financial support from their parents (the youth should be able to obtain a legal aid certificate). In this area, assists youth living independently - but NOT youth living with a parent. Test Cases Tries to challenge laws that discriminate against children or youth, or laws which fail to take into account the best interests or wishes of children and youth, from the perspective of the young person; will also represent children and youth in cases which involve the interpretation of legislation pertaining to them such as the Child and Family Services Act or the Young Offenders Act. Victims of Crime Represents young persons who wish to protect the privacy of personal records (e.g. CAS files, school records, medical records, etc.) in criminal proceedings (defence lawyers may try to use these records to undermine the testimony of victims of crime in the trial against the accused); helps young people make claims before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. (DOES NOT assist with personal injury claims in civil courts). Young Offender Helps young people in trouble with the law by giving them information about the legal system and their rights; helps them find lawyers and refers them to other resource; represents youth who are charged in incidents in schools, group homes and jail; represents youth with learning or other difficulties; may do appeals depending on the issues; does reviews of dispositions to help a youth get into open custody or on probation; will do bail hearings and general advocacy for youth without lawyers. |
| Hours | Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9:00am – noon and 1:00 - 5:00pm (lunch closure). Summer addition (July & Aug): no intakes Fri afternoon. |
| Areas Served | Greater Toronto Area - Direct service ; Ontario - Summary advice ; Peel Region ; Toronto and GTA - Direct service; Ontario - Summary advice |
| Eligibility | Under 18 yrs; or homeless and under 25 yrs. |
| Fees | Free to low income children and youth |
| Languages | English ; Translation services available |
Contact Information
| Address & Map | |
| Intersection | University and King Street West |
| Transit Information | St Andrew TTC station |
| Accessibility | Fully Accessible |
| Office Phone | 416-920-1633 |
| Fax | 416-920-5855 |
| After Hours Phone | 416-920-1633 (voicemail) |
| Crisis Phone | Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 |
| Toll Free Phone | 1-866-999-5329 |
| info@jfcy.org | |
| Website | www.jfcy.org |
| Primary Executive | Mary Birdsell, Executive Director |
Other Details
| Service Level | (50) Non Profit ; (51) Registered Charity |
Subjects
| Subjects | Advocacy ; Child custody ; Child protective services ; Child welfare ; Children ; Crime victims ; Education ; Family courts ; Health services ; Homeless people ; Human rights ; Immigrants ; Legal information ; Legal protection ; Legal services ; Mental health ; Support payments ; Young offenders ; Youth |