Client

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) Family Defense Practice

The Challenge

Partner with BDS FDP professionals to facilitate professional growth and resilience as they fight to give voice to Brooklyn families facing separation, poverty and other forms of oppression.

The Outcome

BDS professionals consistently rate their partnership with WorkHaven as having a direct, positive impact on their work environment, health and ability to successfully partner with families in need.

WorkHaven partners with BDS’ Family Defense Practice (FDP), the primary provider of legal representation to parents in child welfare cases in Brooklyn Family Court. The mission of FDP is to protect the right to family integrity of low- income families, primarily families of color who are disproportionately affected by the child welfare system.

Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) Family Defense Practice: Optimizing Professionals’ Ability to Fight for Brooklyn Families at One of the Largest Defender Offices in the Country

As the primary provider of legal representation to parents in child welfare cases in Brooklyn Family Court, BDS FDP’s mission is to protect the right to family integrity for low-income families. For over three years, our consultants have worked closely with leadership and the interdisciplinary staff, including attorneys, social workers, supervisors, paralegals and the administrative team. Through staff trainings and the facilitation of recurring small groups, our consultants have assisted FDP to increase awareness of the impact of trauma at the systemic and individual level, for clients and for staff, and to build resilience through personal and organization-level interventions.