The ACLU of Pennsylvania and K&L Gates LLP filed a federal lawsuit against the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) for denying foster care payments to a Leechburg woman who has been raising her three grandnieces and a grandnephew for the past two years. Federal and state law requires county child welfare agencies to treat foster parents who are relatives of abused and neglected children the same way they treat other foster families. After a state court decision changed the underlying law, the case was dismissed in August 2015 before the court issued a decision. 

Press Release

Attorney(s)

Witold Walczak (ACLU-PA); Andy Stanton & Ngofeen Mputubwele (K&L Gates LLP)

Date filed

November 19, 2014

Court

U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania

Status

Closed