Know Your Rights
Know your rights and be a powerful advocate for young people who need help! Most of our resources are designed for youth, parents, caregivers, adult allies, or community partners.
If you are interested in community training on any of these issues, check out our training & consulting page or contact your local TeamChild office to tell us what you need.
Education
La educación tras el COVID-19 Manual para Conocer sus derechos (2020)
Si está interesado en obtener más información sobre los derechos de educación durante Covid-19, siga este enlace para acceder a La educación tras el COVID-19 Manual para Conocer sus derechos. Formatos y Ejemplos (Enero 2021)
Education in the wake of COVID-19 Know Your Rights Manual (2020)
TeamChild staff created this Education in the wake of COVID19 Know Your Rights Manual (updated October 2020) to address some of the new difficulties youth and families face due to COVID-19. An Appendix of Forms and Samples (November 2020) provides tools for youth and families to communicate directly with their school or district office.
Education Advocacy Manual (2016)
TeamChild collaborated with Casey Family Programs, the state and National CASA programs, and Treehouse to publish a comprehensive Education Advocacy Manual to caregivers be better advocates for their child’s education, with a particular focus on the needs of children in foster care. This resource covers:
Basic education rights
Special education law
Discipline
Resources for young people transitioning to adulthood
Washington State and federal education law
Office of Education Ombuds Resources for Families
TeamChild worked with the Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) to adapt our education advocacy training materials into a series of resources, available in Spanish and English on the OEO website. Resources include:
How to be an Education Advocate
Discipline in Public Schools
Protecting the Educational Rights of Students with Disabilities in Public Schools
You can also find tips and templates for re-engagement meetings regarding disciplinary matters on the OEO’s Suspension, Expulsions, and Discipline page.
Defending Youth in Truancy Hearings (2008)
TeamChild and the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State released this manual in 2008. It is intended to be a resource for attorneys, but provides information on truancy and education law in Washington State that may be helpful for the general public.
Emancipation
What is Emancipation?
Emancipation is a process that allows a teenager under the age of 18 (but older than 16) to have the rights and responsibilities of an adult under the law. Our Spokane office partnered with Spokane County Juvenile Court to update a packet providing basic information on how to file for emancipation – Spokane Emancipation Packet.
Washington Law Help Emancipation Resources
You can find other emancipation resources on the Washington Law Help website.
Health & Wellness
Public Mental Healthcare for Washington Youth
This video, created in collaboration with Northwest Justice Project, is meant to help youth and families understand and exercise their rights to timely, meaningful, and appropriate mental health care in the community. Available in English or Español.
Public Healthcare for Children and Youth in Washington State
This community awareness video was produced with Northwest Justice Project. Available in English or Español.
Juvenile Justice
Stopped by the police?
Adapted from our graphic guide on the juvenile justice system, this 5 minute video (2013) helps teenagers understand their rights when they are stopped by the police. This video was supported by the Northwest Justice Project and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Models for Change Initiative. Available in English or Español.
Charged with a crime?
Adapted from our graphic guide on the juvenile justice system, this 5 minute video (2013) helps teenagers understand their rights when they are charged with a crime. This video was supported by the Northwest Justice Project and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Models for Change Initiative. Available in English or Español.
Washington Judicial Colloquies: A Guide for Improving Communication and Understanding in Juvenile Court (October 2012)
This user-friendly tool is designed for judges. The sample language is written at an elementary school level with the goal of increasing a youth’s understanding of court processes and orders. A Do’s and Don’ts form can easily be tailored by practitioners to include local practices.
Juvenile Law Update (July 2019)
These materials on the Washington State Office of Public Defense website are from a Juvenile Law Update CLE held at Seattle University on July 19-20, 2019.
Record Sealing
How can I seal my juvenile record?
Visit our Record Sealing page for resources.
Re-Entry and Transition
Re-Entry and Transition Resources
Have a Juvenile Record? Plan For Your Future! This Washington state Guide to Collateral Consequences of Juvenile Court Involvement was produced by the National Juvenile Defender Center, with the assistance of of TeamChild, The Annie E. Casey Foundation – Youth Advisory Council, and Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
Am I eligible to vote?
Are you eligible to vote? Did you know that juvenile offenders – even those who are locked up for juvenile court offenses – have the right to vote In Washington State?