Youth Legal Services
Beginning in SFY 2022-2023, CDSS renamed the Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors (UUM) program to Youth Legal Services (YLS) to be more inclusive of all the youth served under this program.
The Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) sections 13300-13307 authorize the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide grants to qualified nonprofit legal services organizations to provide legal services to eligible Unaccompanied Undocumented Minors, as defined in Section 279(g)(2) of Title 6 of the United States Code, and other Immigrant Youth (IY). CDSS will award $2.9 million under WIC section 13300 to qualified nonprofits to assist UUMs in the physical custody of the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in California or who are residing with a family member or other sponsor in the state after release from ORR custody. Beginning in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022-23, CDSS will award $1.3 million under WIC section 13303 to provide removal defense services to IY who have not been processed by or held in the custody of the ORR.
The funding for legal services is for the purpose of providing legal representation for UUMs and IYs in the filing of, preparation for, and representation in administrative and/or judicial proceedings for the following immigration statuses: Asylum, T-Visa, U-Visa, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or other immigration remedies available to these populations. Legal services include culturally, and linguistically appropriate services provided by attorneys, paralegals, interpreters and other support staff for state court proceedings, federal immigration proceedings, and any appeals arising from those proceedings.
The YLS Program service awards are allocated based by region, service providers, and regions services can be found using the Regional Map, listing counties by regions.
SFY 2024-25 YLS Awarded Organizations
In July 2024, CDSS' Immigration Services Bureau (ISB) announced the recipients of the YLS program funding for SFY 2024-25. CDSS allocated $4,200,000 to renew funds for pro-bono legal services for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The SFY 2024-25 awarded nonprofit organizations are detailed in the SFY2024-25 YLS Funding Award Announcement.
Request for Application (RFA)
The YLS Legal Services Funding Request for Application (RFA) period is closed to the public through SFY 2026-27. For the duration of the grant term, the program will only accept renewal funding request from the existing organizations. New organizations wishing to participate will have an opportunity to apply during the next open grant cycle in SFY2027-28.
Previous Awards
For questions specific to Youth Legal Services, email YLSProgram@dss.ca.gov.