Child in Need of Assistance

The Maryland Legal Services Program (MLSP) is a program within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Human Services. MLSP oversees the contracts for the legal representation of children involved in Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) proceedings in Maryland. Legal services for CINA cases are secured by contract through a highly competitive and confidential procurement process. These contracts ensure that a high standard of legal representation is provided to abused and neglected children directly involved in the Maryland foster care system. Legal representation is provided to these children for the duration of their time in need, and enables the MLSP to maintain an efficient fee-based, fiscally responsible payment structure through State contracts.

Pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article, §3-813 and Family Law Article, §5-307 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, children who are involved in CINA, Voluntary Placement, TPR, Guardianship and related Adoption proceedings are entitled to representation. MLSP manages the legal services contracts Statewide and is charged with ensuring that children involved in the State’s child welfare system receive quality legal representation for the duration of their time in need. MLSP is required to provide compensation to attorneys for legal services rendered for children involved in the child welfare system.

Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Providers