What a family advocate is — and isn't
In Colorado, a parent's court-appointed team can be interdisciplinary: the Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel (ORPC) pairs an attorney with a social worker or parent advocate. The idea is simple — the lawyer focuses on the legal case, while the advocate helps with everything around it: understanding what's happening, connecting to services, and keeping you steady.
A family advocate supports you, the parent. That's very different from the guardian ad litem (GAL) or a CASA volunteer, who advocate for the child's best interests — not yours. And an advocate is not a lawyer: legal questions still go to your attorney.
The words vary, too. "Family advocate" might mean a parent advocate on your ORPC legal team, a family-engagement worker at the county, or an advocate through a nonprofit — and some advocates have lived through the system themselves.
How a family advocate can help
- Explaining the process and translating the jargon, so less feels like a mystery.
- Helping you understand and work your treatment plan — and connecting you to services like housing, treatment, transportation, and childcare.
- Helping you get ready for meetings and hearings, and think through your questions.
- Being a calm, supportive presence when things feel overwhelming.
- Helping bridge communication between you and the professionals on the case.
How to get one
A few doors exist, and you can ask about more than one:
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Ask your attorney or ORPC
If you have a court-appointed lawyer, you can ask whether a parent advocate or social worker can be part of your team. You can also contact ORPC's Family Center (303-731-8770), which supports parents and families in dependency and neglect cases.
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Check your county and local nonprofits
Some counties have family-engagement staff, and community organizations offer parent advocates or peer mentors. Our resource directory lists support organizations across Colorado.
Working well with your advocate
None of these are required — they're what many parents find helps.
What tends to help
- Being honest about what's really going on, so they can point you to the right help.
- Keeping appointments and staying in touch.
- Bringing your questions and letting them help you prepare.
- Leaning on them for navigation and support — that's what they're there for.
What to keep in mind
- An advocate is not a substitute for your lawyer — legal strategy and legal questions belong with your attorney.
- It's worth asking your attorney whether what you share with an advocate is confidential, since that can depend on the situation.
If it's not a good fit
Sometimes the match doesn't work. As with other roles on a case, you can raise your concerns and ask about a different advocate — usually through your attorney or the office or organization that provided them. There's no guarantee of a change, but asking is your right, and a good team wants the fit to work.