By Jonathan Milstein

The Kinship Care Solutions Project helps children who can no longer live safely with their parents find a secure and supportive home in the custody of relatives or unrelated caregivers with whom they have a strong and established relationship. A pro bono program established by Washington State’s King County Bar Association, the project offers free legal assistance for those seeking third-party (or nonparental) custody of a child or children. It serves individuals with economic challenges who are residents of King County or whose cases are subject to the jurisdiction of the King County Superior Court. 

Before taking a case, the Kinship Care Solutions Project considers the following important factors: whether the parents represent a genuine risk to the child’s well-being; how long (if at all) a child has resided with a nonparental caregiver and whether the caregiver offers a safe and reliable environment; and whether the caregiver cannot easily find a volunteer attorney elsewhere and would have difficulty bringing a custody case without legal representation. The project does not offer assistance in adoption cases, in dependency cases (unless the parents and foster caregiver have agreed to a custodial arrangement), or to parents in general.

About the Author:
Jonathan Milstein is an attorney and owner of Puget Sound Professional Legal Services. Mr. Milstein regularly volunteers with the Kinship Care Solutions Project. 
 
A non-profit founded seven decades ago, the Kindering Center furnishes educational services to children with disabilities, medical challenges, and vulnerabilities stemming from a history of abuse. As the largest early intervention institution in the state of Washington, and among the largest in the United States, the Kindering Center offers a comprehensive range of services that sets it apart from similar organizations. Those services focus on promoting the development of children through special education methodologies. Importantly, the Kindering Center believes the first three years of a child’s life offer significant possibilities for development, hence its commitment to early intervention. 

For those who would like to get involved with the Kindering Center, several volunteer opportunities await. Volunteers help by working as delivery drivers, providing bilingual classroom support, assisting in the office, maintaining facilities, and serving on governing bodies like the Auction Planning Committee. The Kindering Center volunteers include individuals as well as families and corporations. Companies like Microsoft, Boeing, and Telephone Pioneers have contributed the time and energy of their employees to the Kindering Center projects like repairing equipment and landscaping. For individuals, commitments often times require a few hours a week. 

Learn more about the Kindering Center volunteer positions at Kindering.org or by calling its Development Department at (425)-653-4294.

A former Kindering Center volunteer, Attorney Jonathan Milstein currently represents clients through Puget Sound Professional Legal Services.