15,000+
families with over 30,000 children have been served since our founding
Our Impact
We serve more than 3,000 families each year.
Of these families, we consistently prevent more than half of our clients’ children from entering the foster system. For those who do enter the foster system, our representation significantly shortens the amount of time they spend in it. Our median length of stay is 6.4 months since 2007, compared to 11.5 months for all children citywide prior to the widespread introduction of our interdisciplinary representation in New York City. Through our representation, community engagement, and advocacy, we are able to keep more families together, improve outcomes for parents and children, and reduce the harm caused by the family policing system.
Our interdisciplinary model keeps more families together.
A major research study by NYU School of Law and Action Research confirms what our data has shown all along: providing family defense clients with a team of support improves child safety and dramatically shortens the time children spend in the foster system.
Our Results & Reach
Over the past 25 years, CFR has served as a public defender, community partner, and policy advocate helping defend and support families in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
86%
of the time, CFR’s early defense team prevented a court case from being filed at all
69%
of our new clients’ children avoid entering the foster system entirely
1,000+
practitioners CFR trains across the country annually, including judges, case workers, and other attorneys
39
commissions that CFR staff serve on to address and advocate for family regulation system reforms
$159M
in government savings since 2007 due to children in CFR’s cases spending less time in the foster system
Who We Serve
Our clients come from primarily low-income communities that have been systematically targeted by the family policing system for decades. They are predominantly Black and Brown and their families experience more surveillance, higher rates of family separation, and the harshest impacts of the system due to systemic racism.
100%
of CFR’s clients experience poverty
94%
are people of color
66%
are women
36%
are single parents
31%
are or were unhoused at some point
27%
identify as immigrants
25%
experience or have experienced intimate partner violence
20%
have a mental health diagnosis
15%
were in the foster system themselves
A Nationally Recognized Model for Public Defense
Our groundbreaking model pairs each client with an attorney and a social worker, with support from a parent advocate who has been through the system themselves.
Our Policy Platform
As a public defender for the city and nationally recognized expert in family defense, we use our platform for change and advocate for legislative reforms that reduce harm to families.
Community Engagement
We host family fun events, connect parents proactively to resources, and offer presentations and trainings that teach community members about their rights.
Our Impact & Client Stories
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CFR: Over Two Decades of Keeping Families Together
Within this building are people who fight for families every single day and make sure that their voices are heard. -Teyora Graves-Ferrell, CFR Parent Advocate Director Watch Our Impact Video
Aminullah's Story
The entire CFR staff treated me like family and did so much for me. With CFR's help, I got back on my feet and regained my hope...thank you CFR for your assistance! Watch Aminullah's Story
Genesis' Story
I want to express my gratitude to the organization for believing in me, for their effort, for their support, for fighting for my rights, and for allowing me to be with my family, united and well. Watch Genesis' Story
Juan's Story
I didn't have the resources for someone to defend me, they wouldn't let me see my wife or children, I had no idea what I was going to face... I would like to thank the CFR team for welcoming me and guiding me through this process. Watch Juan's Story
Jasmine's Story
I was separated from my children for five years. [CFR] helped me get my children back. I'm forever grateful for that. Watch Jasmine's Story