TeamChild (formerly spelled Teamchild) is a state-wide organization that supports Washington youth ages 12 to 18 who have ended up in the juvenile justice system. They may have dropped out of school and could also be dealing with homelessness, health care, substance abuse, mental health issues, and other challenges.

When a public defender makes a referral to TeamChild, a TeamChild attorney will evaluate the situation and work with parents, school administrators, teachers, and the child to come up with individual solutions. Attorneys try to ensure that students get the full benefit from state and federal laws requiring special education if needed. On a larger scale, the organization works to advocate for public policies at the state level that will better deal with youth issues.

Here, Seattle TeamChild director Elizabeth Calvin waits to talk with a young client who is standing by the window.

Caption information source: “Teamchild goes where courts cannot: Program designed to keep teenagers with special needs in school,” by Darrell Glover, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, March 24, 1997, pages B1-B2.
Caption information source: TeamChild Community Impact Report FY23, https://teamchild.org. Retrieved November 1, 2024.