Teen Legal Rights Resources

Publications and Websites with Helpful Information

The resources listed below will answer some of the questions you may have about your legal rights.
If you would like specific information about your own situation, please contact Attorney Stacey Violante Cote or Attorney Edwin Colon.

Health Care and Mental Health Care

Is it Confidential? (English) (Spanish)
Information on Reproductive Health Care.

Youth Who “Age Out” of Foster Care are Eligible for HUSKY Health Coverage until Age 21
Connecticut Voices for Children, 2006

Statutory Rape – Definitions and the Law

Center for Adolescent Health and the Law (website)

Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition (website)

Benefits (Money, Food, Medical)

Child Support Information for Teen Mothers

Child Support Information for Teen Fathers

TFA – Cash Assistance for Teen Parents

How to Keep your Lights and Heat Turned On

Connecticut Department of Social Services (website)

Social Security Administration (website)

Bullying

Bullying
If I am bullied at school, what are my legal rights?

Stop Bullying (website)

Teens Against Bullying (website)

Connecticut Department of Education, Bullying and Harassment (website)

DCF Care

Legal Rights of Teens in DCF Care

Speak Up! Legal Rights in Foster Care

Speak Up! Legal Rights of Youth in Shelters, STAR Homes, Groups Homes, or Residentials

DCF to DMHAS – What Happens When I Turn 18?

DCF-DMHAS Memorandum of Understanding

DCF Adolescent Policies

If DCF is Your Legal Guardian
Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut (LARCC)

Youth Who “Age Out” of Foster Care Eligible for HUSKY Health Coverage Until Age 21
Connecticut Voices for Children, 2006

DCF Adolescent and Transitional Services (website)

Foster Care Alumni (website)

National Network for Young People in Foster Care (website)

Dating Violence

Is Love Supposed to Hurt Me? (brochure) (poster)
Is your boyfriend/girlfriend hurting you, screaming at you, stalking you or sending threatening messages?

Break the Cycle (English or Spanish) (website)

Center for Adolescent Health and the Law (website)

Heathersvoice.net (English or Spanish) (website)
Teen dating violence – where to call for help

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

Delinquency and Detention

Can I Get My Record Erased?
Police Records, Court Records, School Discipline Records

Connecticut Juvenile Justice System

A Guide for Youth and Families

Legal Rights in Juvenile Detention (English or Spanish)
What are your rights in Juvenile Detention?

Health Care and Mental Health Care

HUSKY Health Care
Information about State health insurance

Is it Confidential? (English) (Spanish)
Can you see a doctor without your parent’s or guardian’s consent?
Information on Reproductive Health Care, including HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, abortion, safe havens for newborns.

Statutory Rape – Definitions and the Law
If your boyfriend or girlfriend is 3 years older than you, can you get in trouble with the law?

Youth Who “Age Out” of Foster Care are Eligible for HUSKY Health Coverage until Age 21
Healthcare Benefits – Connecticut Voices for Children, 2006

Center for Adolescent Health and the Law (website)

Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition (website)

Emancipation

How Can I Get Emancipated?

A Teenager’s Guide to Emancipation
Legal Resource Center of Connecticut (LARCC)

Immigration

Immigration – What are my rights? What are my options?
Can I go to school? Can I become a legal permanent resident of the US?

Living in Connecticut: Immigrants and Refugee Teens (English, Spanish, Karen)
Information about school, work, ID cards for immigrant and refugee teens.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Perez-Olano Settlement Agreement (USCIS Memo 2011)

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (USCIS Memo 2009)

Supporting Undocumented & Unaccompanied Youth In School (NAEHCY Report)

How to Renew/Replace Permanent Resident Card (English) (Spanish)

International Institute of Connecticut (website)

Scholarships for College (Scholarships A-Z)
Scholarships available regardless of immigration status

American Civil Liberties Union – Immigrants’ Rights (website)

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (website)

National Immigration Law Center (website)

National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (website)

“Deferred Action” for Youth brought to the U.S. as Children (ctlawhelp.org)

LGBT Teens

LGBT Teens – What are my rights?
Are you being bullied or feel like you’re discriminated against? Your legal rights in school, foster care, detention and home.

Connecticut Legal Protections for Transgender People
CWEALF publication

A Place of Respect: A Guide for Group Care Facilities Serving Transgender
& Gender Non-Conforming Youth

Connecticut Chapter of GLSEN
(Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network)

Connecticut GLAD Resources
(Gay and Lesbian Advocates & Defenders website)

Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective (website)

New Haven Pride Center (website)

True Colors (website)