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Celebrating Pro Bono Week

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Happy Pro Bono Week!

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy has had a busy week working with volunteers to advance several of our pro bono projects. We are so grateful for all our partners who showed up and gave so generously of their time this week!

On Monday, Julieanne Taylor, Director of our Family Support and Healthcare Program, trained volunteers from Haynes Boone LLP and Wells Fargo on scheduling clients for appointments with healthcare navigators during open enrollment. This task is particularly important in a year like this one, when there are so many changes to policies and pricing, making the process of enrolling in health insurance even more challenging than usual. Volunteers ended up calling 140 clients.

On Tuesday, we held our monthly Consumer Clinic, a project recently added to Charlotte Triage. Pro bono attorneys with civil litigation experience met with clients who have been subject to unfair or deceptive acts or practices to assess their claims, provide guidance on how to proceed pro se, or in some cases, take the case for full representation.

On Wednesday, Soreé Finley, Director of our Legal Services for the Elderly Program, led a training for attorneys from Duke Energy and Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP in advance of a clinic to draft and execute wills for seniors.

On Thursday, Kelly Durden, Managing Attorney for our Veterans Legal Services Project, led a training for attorneys from Wells Fargo and McGuireWoods LLP in advance of a clinic to draft and execute wills for veterans.

To close out the week, volunteers from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP and Vanguard spent time pulling criminal records for expungement clients after learning about North Carolina’s expunction statutes and recent transition to electronic filing. Together, we were able to run records for 30 clients, a critical first step in the process of clearing an eligible client’s past charges.

To learn more about these and other pro bono projects, visit our website and submit an interest form to get started: https://charlottelegaladvocacy.org/access-to-justice-pro-bono-partners

2026 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment FAQ

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When is Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace? 

Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) runs from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026. 

Is there still a penalty for not having health insurance? 

Effective January 1, 2019, there is no longer a penalty for not having health insurance. 

Which health insurance companies will be offering plans in 2026 in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union counties? 

The plans offered for Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties are Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Oscar 

I already have coverage. How can I get ready to apply for 2026 Marketplace health coverage? 

If you already have a Healthcare.gov account, make sure you can log in. If your household size or income has changed, gather supporting documentation, such as last year’s tax returns or recent pay stubs. You may be required to provide copies of these documents to the Marketplace. Please note plans have changed! You can schedule a free appointment with a Navigator to discuss your options and make sure you are enrolled in the best plan for you and your family. 

What happens if I don’t sign up? 

If you can afford health insurance but choose not to buy it, you may face high out-of-pocket costs if you have a medical emergency or need to visit a doctor. Use the window-shopping tool on Healthcare.gov to see the plans available in your area; financial assistance may be available to you and your family. Your premium may be less than you think! 

Updating your Health Insurance Marketplace application for 2026 is crucial this year due to changes with the Marketplace, including the expiration of tax credits, premium increases, and other potential changes to plans.   

  • By actively updating your application instead of having your plan auto-renewed, you can avoid unexpected costs and ensure you receive the maximum financial assistance you qualify for.   
  • It is important to go through the application process to learn your options because there are so many changes 
  • You may no longer be eligible for premium tax credits 

What should I do if an agent or broker enrolled me in a Marketplace plan without my permission? 

Unauthorized enrollment in a Marketplace health plan by an agent or broker—without your consent or knowledge—is a serious issue. It can lead to unexpected premium charges, disruption of your healthcare access, and Tax implications. 

Here’s how it can affect you: 

  • Unexpected bills: You might receive premium invoices or tax penalties for coverage you didn’t authorize. 
  • Repayment of the Advance Premium Tax Credits: Being enrolled in a Marketplace plan while you are eligible for Medicaid or Medicare will not make you eligible to receive subsidies to cover your premium amount for a health insurance plan.  
  • Coverage confusion: You may not be able to access the doctors or prescriptions you need if the plan doesn’t match your needs. 

Steps to take immediately: 

  1. Contact one of our Navigators to help you navigate your escalation and retroactive cancellation.  
  1. Report the issue to the Marketplace: Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) and explain the situation. 
  1. Request a termination or correction: Ask to have the unauthorized plan canceled or corrected. 
  1. File a complaint against the agent or broker: You can do this through the Marketplace and/or your state’s Department of Insurance. 
  1. Monitor your account: Check your Marketplace account for any other unauthorized activity. 
  1. Protect your information: Change your account password and avoid sharing personal details with unverified agents. 

If you suspect fraud, act quickly. The sooner you report it, the easier it is to reverse any damage and protect your coverage options. 

Can I just wait and have my current plan automatically renewed? 

Even if you’re happy with your plan and you don’t have any life changes to report (like moving to a new state or changes in your income or household), you should still go back through the application and make sure all your information is up to date to ensure that you are receiving all the financial assistance you are eligible for. You can also check the health plans available in your area. You might benefit from a change, and you never know until you compare. You can do this yourself by logging into your Healthcare.gov account or by calling the Marketplace directly at 1-800-318-2596. You can also make an appointment with a navigator to go over your options —call today! 

If your income or household situation has changed, failing to update your information could result in receiving too much in Advance Premium Tax Credit payments. This could force you to pay back the excess amount when you file your 2026 taxes.  

When will my coverage start if I enroll or update my application after December 15, 2025? 

If you enroll in a plan or update your application after December 15, 2025, your new coverage will start on February 1, 2026. 

I no longer have coverage, or I lost coverage during 2025; what are my options? 

Even if you lost coverage this year, you may still qualify for financial assistance and can enroll in an affordable health plan for next year. You can log back into your Marketplace account, call the Marketplace, or meet with a navigator to start a new 2026 application. 

I am eligible for health benefits at work, but I want to see if I can get a better deal on the Marketplace. Can I do that?  

Yes, you can always shop for coverage on  Healthcare.gov, assuming you meet other eligibility requirements. However, if you have access to affordable job-based coverage through your employer or your spouse’s employer, you may not qualify for financial assistance in the Marketplace. It is important to have information about your employer coverage offer when you complete a Marketplace application. The Employer-Sponsored Insurance Affordability threshold for 2026 is 9.96% of annual income for the Cost of Family coverage. 

I have COBRA, but it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead? 

During Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effectively on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins. After Open Enrollment ends, however, if you voluntarily drop your COBRA coverage or stop paying premiums, you will not be eligible for a special enrollment opportunity. You will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period. Only exhaustion of your COBRA coverage triggers a special enrollment opportunity. 

How can I find out if my doctor and/or prescription medication is in a health plan’s network?  

Each plan sold on Healthcare.gov provides a link to its health provider directory and prescription drug formulary so consumers can find out if their health providers and medications are included. 

I am not currently working. Although I do not have income, should I still review my healthcare options for 2026? 

YES! Although you are not currently working, the Marketplace application asks for information about your anticipated income for the following year. Therefore, you can estimate your potential income for 2026 even if you are not working right now. You can always update your income using the Marketplace application. Navigators can walk you through your options. Schedule a free appointment, in person or virtually, by calling 980-256-3782 or going online to ncnavigator.org 

You may also be now eligible for Medicaid under Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina. The Navigators will be able to assist you in understanding your eligibility and finding the best plan to fit your needs and protect you and your family. Click here to learn more. 

What if I need help? 

Navigators are available in your area and taking appointments, but we anticipate that appointments will fill up quickly! As always, appointments are free and available at convenient times. Appointments are available at convenient locations, including our office. Walk-in times for self-help and the computer lab are also available at our office on Saturdays, 9:30 am-2:00 pm. Call 980-256-3782 or visit ncnavigator.org to schedule an appointment today. 

IOLTA Funding is Frozen: What’s at Stake?

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The need for civil legal services in our community is great, and at the Advocacy Center, we work tirelessly to meet it. Each day, we witness our clients doing everything they can to overcome the barriers standing between them and stability. We see parents fighting to keep a roof over their heads and a safe home for their families, our neighbors striving to access health care, local veterans and seniors seeking the benefits they’ve earned, and individuals navigating a complex legal system who need access to an attorney to truly have access to justice. 

Recent funding losses resulting in staff reductions have already affected those who rely on our services, and now we face another challenge: a funding freeze on the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA).  

This year, IOLTA provided $765,000 in grants that supported our services. Since 1983, IOLTA has awarded $134 million in grants to strengthen access to justice statewide, including nearly $12 million to 35 nonprofits across North Carolina in 2025. For our clients, this funding represents access to legal services that provides stability, safety, and hope: 

  • Meet Tad: A mother wrongfully accused of fraud regained her childcare assistance and her hope thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Public Benefits Unit. 
  • Meet Renai: Facing the loss of her family home, Renai navigated complex bankruptcy proceedings with our help, securing a plan to preserve her family’s legacy with the help of our Consumer Protection Program. 
  • Meet Sarah: A single mom and hairdresser faced an unexpected $20,000 tax bill caused by her former partner. With support from our Low-Income Tax Clinic, Sarah provided the necessary records and affidavits, and we successfully proved the taxes were not hers, giving her financial stability and peace of mind. 

These stories show what’s possible when access to justice is within reach. 

How is the Advocacy Center moving forward? 

We recently added a program providing civil legal services to children when a partner organization, Council for Children’s Rights, was forced to dissolve in the face of these changes. This program is extremely important for our community, and we feel grateful to be entrusted to keep this program moving forward. 

We are working on reimagining our organization’s role in a transformed legal landscape. Through strategic planning, we will identify and prioritize new, community-based legal initiatives that respond to current needs, leverage technology, and expand access to justice. 

We are laying the groundwork for launching new, community-driven legal initiatives that respond to emerging needs in real time. Not just sustaining our organization, we want to center the survival, resilience and empowerment of our clients and community, guiding us to design innovative legal solutions rooted in their lived experiences and evolving needs. 

How You Can Help 

  • Contact Kelly Lynn to explore personalized ways to get involved and support access to justice in your community. 

Summer 2026 Internships at Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy – Apply by Oct. 24

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The Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy offers 10-week internships to qualified and motivated undergraduate and law school students. We strive to provide an intensive, practical, and worthwhile internship for students who are passionate about providing legal services to low-income people in Mecklenburg County and beyond.  

Our interns work directly with staff attorneys on their caseloads handling tasks that range from drafting documents for administrative matters, providing direct client services, and participating in systemic advocacy projects. Law student work may include interviewing clients and witnesses; collecting, evaluating, and preparing evidence for presentation; performing legal research; drafting pleadings, briefs and other legal documents; and advocating for clients before administrative agencies. 

Submission Deadline: October 24, 2025
Summer Session: May 26 – July 31, 2026

Internship opportunities for law students in each of the following units.  

Internship opportunities for undergraduate students in the following units:  

Schedule: Advocacy Center staff enjoy a hybrid work schedule. Interns are required to be present in the office 3 days per week and may work remotely for the remaining 2 days. Interns are expected to work 7.5 hours per day between the hours of 8:30am and 5pm. Time off and other details of working hours are between the intern and their supervisor. 

Funding: The Advocacy Center is unable to offer compensation to interns. We encourage students to apply for public interest stipends or work-study grants through their school or other institutions if they are unable to work on a volunteer basis. In the past, most interns have been able to secure outside funding to cover living expenses. Advocacy Center staff will provide any supporting documentation and letters of recommendation necessary to obtain funding for selected applicants.  

To Apply

  • Send the following to internship@charlottelegaladvocacy.org:
    • Cover letter 
    • Résumé or curriculum vitae 
    • An unofficial academic transcript  
    • Any other information you wish to include  
  • Inquire about financial support, internship, or externship programs available through your school or other institutions. 

Submission Deadline: October 24, 2025
Interviews: November 3-14, 2025

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Justice at Work: Breaking Access Barriers to Employment

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This content was originally part of a Justice Lives Here newsletter. Click here to subscribe to get the latest news and updates from the Advocacy Center delivered directly to your email mailbox.

Earlier this month we celebrated Labor Day, a holiday born from the labor movement’s fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity of work.

We’re reminded that everyone deserves the chance to work with dignity and to build a stable life through that work. At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we help people overcome the legal barriers that stand between them and meaningful employment. Whether it’s securing a work permit, protecting a worker from exploitation, or ensuring access to healthcare that makes holding a job possible, our team is here to help. In this edition, we’re highlighting the many ways legal advocacy supports people on their path to employment and economic stability.

Expunctions: Clearing the Path for a Brighter Future

Did you know that about 1 in 4 North Carolinians have a criminal record? A criminal record, even for a minor or dismissed offense, can create lasting barriers to employment. At Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to build a stable and fulfilling life—including access to work. Our expungement services help clients clear eligible charges from their records, removing one of the most persistent obstacles to finding a job.

Through our legal clinics and one-on-one representation, we assist individuals in navigating the complex process of record expungement. For many, this is more than a legal service—it’s a life-changing opportunity. Once a record is cleared, clients can apply for jobs with confidence, gain access to better housing, and start planning for a more secure future.

In 2024, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy assisted 250 clients through multiple expungement clinics.

Nicole’s Journey and the Power of Expungement

When Nicole first heard about the Charlotte Expunction Clinic at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, she had no idea how much it would transform her future. Burdened by misdemeanor and felony charges, she had spent over a decade being defined by her past. With the help of volunteer attorneys at the Clinic, Nicole began the process of clearing her misdemeanors. The day she received confirmation that her record was partially cleared was a turning point—but just the beginning of her journey.

Determined to move forward, Nicole worked with Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy to tackle the more difficult expungement of her felony convictions. With an attorney from the Advocacy Center representing her, she successfully cleared her record across multiple counties. As doors opened, Nicole reclaimed her life—finishing high school, inspiring her son to graduate alongside her, and finally becoming a Certified Nurse Assistant. Today, she’s employed in a role that reflects her growth and determination. Nicole’s story is a powerful reminder that with support and a second chance, people can rise, rebuild and create lasting change.

“Some of us grow up, but the world won’t always let us. They only see our past mistakes. But thanks to the Advocacy Center, I can finally introduce people to the person I am now.”

-Nicole

Stable Housing: Laying a Foundation for Employment and Resilience

At the Advocacy Center, we believe that stable housing is more than just shelter—it’s the foundation for stable employment and long-term opportunity. Without a safe, secure place to live, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain a job, care for a family, or plan for a better future. That’s why we prioritize sustaining and protecting affordable homeownership. It fosters family stability, supports consistent employment, strengthens the local economy, and enables the transfer of generational wealth.

Charlotte has a homeownership rate of 65%, with many of these homes owned by longtime, working, low-wealth families, seniors and people with disabilities. The Advocacy Center partners with families to explore alternatives to foreclosure, access critical home repairs, advise heirs about homeownership preservation, and educate the community on the increasing prevalence of home equity and foreclosure rescue scams.

When a family is able to preserve an affordable, long-held home, it significantly improves their ability to access and maintain employment. That stability benefits not just the individual household—but also neighborhoods and the broader community.

Major Changes Coming to Health Coverage Access: What Consumers Need to Know

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Major Changes Coming to Health Coverage Access: What Consumers Need to Know 

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy | October 2025 

Important changes to both Marketplace and Medicaid health coverage programs are scheduled to begin this year, significantly impacting low-income individuals, immigrant communities, and those who rely on coverage assistance programs. These reforms are the result of recent regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the passing of the Budget Reconciliation Bill (P.L. 119-21). The changes will take effect from August 2025 through 2028. 

Key Marketplace Changes – Effective August 25, 2025 

  1. Elimination of Low-Income Special Enrollment Period (SEP) 
    Consumers earning under 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will no longer be able to enroll year-round. This change affects nearly 47% of 2025 enrollees. 
  1. Marketplace Ban on DACA Recipients 
    DACA recipients newly eligible for coverage in 2025 will be barred from coverage and have their plans terminated as of September 30th, 2025. 
  1. Less Time for Data Matching 
    The additional 60-day grace period for resolving income inconsistencies is eliminated. Failure to resolve within 90 days will result in the end of subsidies. 

Marketplace Changes – Did not take effect on August 25, 2025 

Changes enacted on August 25, 2025, that have been stayed by the litigation in the court system 

  1. Self-Attestation to income above 100% FPL 

Verification required if attested income on the application differs from federal data sources 

  1. Past-due premiums 

The new rule allows insurers in all states to deny coverage for an upcoming year to individuals with unpaid premiums at any point in the past. 

  1. Extending the ‘de minimis’ amount for plans 

Changes “de minimis” amounts guiding the plan’s metal level out-of-pocket cost share. 

Would allow insurers to offer plans with actuarial values below the standard value.  

Marketplace Changes Coming in 2026 

  • Loss of Enhanced PTCs & Return of Full Repayment Rules: 
    Unless Congress acts, 2026 marks the end of enhanced subsidies and the reinstatement of full repayment requirements for overpaid tax credits. This will eliminate the marketplace premium payment threshold as well. 
  • Eliminates APTCs’ repayment caps 

Starting in tax year 2026, households with incomes higher than their projected income or those who are otherwise ineligible for the premium tax credit will have to repay all excess PTCs they received.  

  • Elimination of PTCs for Certain Immigrants: 
    Those not eligible for Medicaid due to status, and earning below 100% FPL, will now be denied Premium Tax Credits. 
  • Gender-Affirming Care Removed as Essential Benefit: 
    States will no longer be able to include gender-affirming care as an Essential Health Benefit. States must fund this care directly if they wish to continue offering it. 
  • Eliminates automatic re-enrollment in a Silver plan where available: 
    Consumers won’t be automatically moved to lower-cost plans even if one is available. 
  • Increase in plan premiums, Out-of-Pocket Maximums, and consumer cost sharing (due to changes in formula): 

MOOP for 2026 plans will increase from $10,150 to $10,600.  Net premiums (after APTC) will increase by 2.7 percent. 

Reduced PTCs based on higher expected consumer contribution % (this is on top of the end of enhanced PTCs).  

Marketplace Changes – Will not take effect on January 1, 2026 

Changes are suspended due to litigation in the court system, and we are expecting a final ruling 

  • Stricter Special Enrollment Verification: 
    Consumers will have just 30 days to submit proof of life changes like marriage, birth, or moving. 
  • $5 Passive Enrollment Fee: 
    Consumers re-enrolled passively into a $0-premium plan must pay a fee or their plan won’t activate. 
  • Re-instates one-year failure to reconcile PTCs (for plan year 2026 only) 

This means that those enrolling in the Marketplace plan for 2026 must reconcile their PTCs for both 2023 and 2024 tax years; otherwise, they will not be approved for 2026 PTCs. 

Permanent Marketplace Changes in 2027–2028 

  • Shortened Open Enrollment Period: 
    Open enrollment will now run only from Nov. 1 – Dec. 15 in most states. 
  • Immigration-Based PTC Restrictions: 
    Most lawfully present immigrants lose eligibility for subsidies, with exceptions for Legal Permanent Residents, COFA migrants, and Cuban-Haitian Entrants. 
  • Work Requirement Impact: 
    Consumers disenrolled from Medicaid for not meeting work requirements will also be ineligible for Marketplace subsidies. 
  • Higher Burdens to Maintain Coverage: 
    From 2028, auto-reenrollment and subsidy continuation will require active reapplication and complete documentation verification. 

Medicaid Program Reforms – Effective 2026 Onward 

The Medicaid program will also undergo significant structural and eligibility changes: 

Starting October 1, 2026: 

  • Narrowed Definition of “Qualified Immigrant”: 
    While the HR1 reconciliation bill does not change the definition of qualified immigrants, it ends federal Medicaid matching funds for all categories other than LPRs, USC, and COFA migrants. Does not change the rule around the state option to ensure pregnant people and minor children.  

Starting January 1, 2027: 

  • Work Requirements for Expansion Adults: 
    Adults ages 19–64 in the expansion category must report at least 80 hours/month of work or qualifying activity. 
  • Shortened Retroactive Coverage Window: 
    Retroactive eligibility was reduced to 1 month for expansion adults and 2 months for others. 
  • Eligibility Redeterminations Every 6 Months 
    Replacing the current annual review. 

Starting October 1, 2028: 

  • New Cost Sharing Requirements: 
    Expansion adults with incomes between 100–138% FPL will be subject to up to $35 per service, with some key exemptions. 

What Should Consumers Do? 

To stay covered and minimize disruptions, individuals should: 

  • Read and respond to notices from the Marketplace and Medicaid offices. 
  • Actively update income and household information. 
  • File taxes and reconcile Premium Tax Credits. 
  • Pay premiums on time or seek assistance. 

Get help from Navigators to understand changes and requirements. 
 

Medicaid, Immigration & Your Information: What You Need To Know

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WHAT WE KNOW

On 7/17/25, it became known that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – shared Medicaid recipients’ (not necessarily applicants) data with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for purposes of immigration and customs enforcement.

NCDHHS recently added a web page answering some questions including:
• What does NC Medicaid at NCDHHS know?
• What information is shared from NC Medicaid?
• What data is being shared with the federal government?

ENROLLEES AND APPLICANTS SHOULD KNOW
1️⃣ The law prohibits sharing personal information with immigration officials about people who use government-funded health or social services
2️⃣ If the Department of Homeland Security already knows your current address, applying for benefits does not increase your risk
3️⃣ There is no added risk in continuing programs if you are already getting services and you have not moved
4️⃣ Dropping out of vital support programs won’t erase the data you have already provided, and keeping Medicaid will help your family

NEED HELP?
Understanding Medicaid eligibility can be confusing, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Schedule a free appointment with a local Health Insurance Navigator.
📞 980‑256‑3782
🌐 ncnavigator.org

Reflections from the Annual Summer Intern Gathering in Raleigh

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This summer, Advancement and Communications Intern Abigail Stakes joined fellow interns from Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy on a special trip to Raleigh for the 2nd Annual Summer Intern Gathering. Below, Abigail shares highlights from the experience.

Last week, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy’s summer interns had the opportunity to travel to Raleigh for the second Annual Summer Intern Gathering, hosted by the North Carolina Equal Justice Alliance (NCEJA). This event brought together interns from legal nonprofits across the state for a day of learning, inspiration and connection. 

The day began at the North Carolina State Bar, where interns were welcomed with powerful messages from legal leaders across the state. Speakers included: 

  • Caroline Casey, Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Wilson Office 
  • Davis Lovvorn, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy 
  • Drew Fabricius, Disability Rights NC 
  • Peter Bolac, Executive Director, NC State Bar 
  • Mary Irvine, Executive Director, NC IOLTA 

Each speaker shared their path into public interest law and emphasized the importance of access to justice and equity in legal advocacy. Their stories and insights reminded us of the impact we can make when we dedicate our work to serving others. 

Following a networking lunch with interns from nonprofits all over North Carolina, the group made their way to the North Carolina Supreme Court. There, they had the incredible honor of meeting Associate Justice Anita Earls, who gave them a private tour of the Supreme Court and its museum. From historical photographs to trailblazing justices, the museum offers a glimpse into North Carolina’s legal legacy. 

The day continued with a visit to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, where The Honorable Judge Jeffery Carpenter welcomed us and shared insights into the appellate process and the inner workings of the court. 

To round out the trip, Quisha Mallette, Fair Chance Attorney at the NC Justice Center, led us on a tour of the North Carolina General Assembly, giving us a deeper understanding of how policy and law intersect in our state.  

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy to Expand Services with Addition of Education Law Program; Transition From Council for Children’s Rights to Be Completed by September 2025

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For Immediate Release: July 17, 2025
Kelly Lynn, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, 980.202.7320, kelly.lynn@charlottelegaladvocacy.org 

CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY TO EXPAND SERVICES WITH ADDITION OF EDUCATION LAW PROGRAM; TRANSITION FROM COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 2025 

Charlotte, NC – Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy (Advocacy Center), a nonprofit civil legal services organization committed to pursuing justice for those in need, will expand its services this fall by integrating the Education Law Program (ELP), formerly housed at the Council for Children’s Rights (CFCR).  

The transition marks a significant milestone for both organizations and ensures the continued delivery of high-quality legal services to students and families in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties. Beginning by September 2025, the Education Law Program will become a permanent part of the Advocacy Center’s portfolio of services. The transition includes four experienced attorneys who currently lead the program and will continue their work with the Advocacy Center.   

The Education Law Program provides legal representation for students and their families in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, focusing on special education, Section 504 and disciplinary issues. It offers education navigation for court-involved youth in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, helping families and professionals support educational rights. Through free community trainings, it builds the capacity of parent groups and partners to advocate effectively. Recognizing limited resources, the team amplifies its impact through systemic advocacy targeting broader educational barriers. A key priority is improving outcomes for youth in foster care across North Carolina. Overall, this multi-tiered approach blends individual support with strategic outreach to create lasting educational change.  

CFCR Interim Executive Director Karen Parker expresses, “Our staff and board of directors are thrilled that the Advocacy Center will become the new home for the Education Law Program, providing the perfect environment for this initiative to grow and thrive. We offer deepest thanks to all of the volunteers and staff who served the children of our community through the Council for Children’s Rights over the years. We look forward to seeing all that will be accomplished in this next exciting phase!”

Earlier this year, CFCR discontinued its Custody Advocacy Program and Children’s Defense Team. Following the transition of the Education Law Program this fall, the organization will formally conclude its operations after more than four decades of service to the Charlotte community.  

“We are honored to carry forward the vital mission of the Education Law Program,” said Larissa Mañón Mervin, CEO of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. “The Council for Children’s Rights has built an incredible legacy of advocacy for youth, and we are proud to build on that foundation. The decision by both of our Boards to transition the program to the Advocacy Center reflects our shared commitment to strengthening and sustaining this critical work.” 

The Advocacy Center’s Board of Trustees expressed strong support for the transition. “We enthusiastically welcome the Education Law Program and the experienced team leading it,” said Matt Robertson, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. “This addition aligns with our mission by strengthening our ability to remove barriers to opportunity for children and families. We are confident this integration will ensure that more young people in our community can access the education they deserve and are happy that CFCR’s vital educational advocacy can continue.”

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy remains committed to upholding the rights of vulnerable populations, including children, and will ensure that the Education Law Program continues to serve families with the care, excellence and impact it has always delivered.  

About Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy 

Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy can provide those in need with information, advice and advocacy in consumer protection, home preservation, health care access and public benefits, immigration, tax assistance and more. Our mission is to pursue justice for those in need. Our vision is to build a just community, where all people are treated fairly and have access to legal representation to meet their basic human needs of safety, economic security and stability. Learn more at charlottelegaladvocacy.org. 

Mark Your Calendar: Back to School Bash Set for July 23

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Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy will host its annual Back to School Bash on Wednesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its office at 5535 Albemarle Road.

This FREE, family-friendly event is an opportunity for children and families to celebrate the season, connect with community resources, and prepare for a strong start to the school year.

Attendees can enjoy:

  • Connecting with community resources
  • FREE food, games and activities
  • FREE backpacks and school supplies