Complex issues with a legal component often keep teenagers from taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Teens may be dealing with abusive parents, homelessness, special education needs, or immigration issues. They might be teen parents and need financial assistance so they can finish high school, or be living in a shelter without transportation to school.

The Center for Children's Advocacy established the Teen Legal Advocacy Clinic (TLAC) in 1998. The first office was on site at Hartford Public High School, making it one of six school-based legal services programs in the country at that time. After more than ten years, the TLAC has expanded to providing legal services to youth in all Hartford schools, youth living in shelters, and youth working with other community agencies.The Center’s legal services in Fairfield County include a Teen Legal Clinic office on-site at Harding High School in Bridgeport. See www.kidscounsel.org and click on Teen Legal Rights.