Dependency
Advocacy
Center
Interdisciplinary legal services for the reunification and preservation of families in Santa Clara County's child welfare system
If you have a court case in Santa Clara County that involves CPS (Department of Family and Children's Services) and need legal representation:
Call Us - (408) 401-6691If you do not have a court case, but have been contacted by Santa Clara County CPS (Department of Family and Children's Services) and need legal advice:
Call Our Warm Line - (408) 856-2992 Call Our Warm Line -(408) 856-2992
Imagine a world where the integrity of every family is fiercely protected— a world where parents and children are safely rooted together in communities not in court rooms.
DAC’s Holistic Approach
Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC) serves Santa Clara’s County parents and children involved in the child welfare system. DAC’s multi-pronged approach to advocacy, which focuses on both protecting the client’s legal rights while simultaneously engaging the client to better their circumstances, is targeted toward making the family whole again. DAC supports families involved in the system through an interdisciplinary team.
Attorneys providing free legal representation
Social Workers providing clinical expertise
Mentor Parents that have lived experience in the child welfare system
Since 2008 DAC’s work has supported thousands of families reunifying with or preventing the removal of children from their family home.
Breaking Cycles of System Involvement
DAC's team gave me my life back. Because they took my case when I was incarcerated and gave me a second chance. I have everything today. I have a career. I have a home. I have my kids back. I have a relationship with my family, the people that I hurt.
DAC's team gave me my life back. Because they took my case when I was incarcerated and gave me a second chance. I have everything today. I have a career. I have a home. I have my kids back. I have a relationship with my family, the people that I hurt.
In Santa Clara County, African American and Latino children living in poverty are far more likely to enter foster care — a system that regularly serves as a pipeline to incarceration, substance abuse, sex trafficking, and homelessness.
Without effective intervention strategies that target long-term family wellbeing, the parents and children served by DAC are particularly susceptible to repeated cycles of separation and court involvement.
Find Out What DAC Has Been Up To
Remembering DAC Co-Founder, AnnaLisa Chung
November 4, 2024
Dependency Advocacy Center is very sad to share that AnnaLisa Chung, one of our co-founders and our first Chief Executive Officer, passed away on Nove...
Read More
Congratulations to Judge Cynthia Chen, the newest member of the Santa Clara County bench!
July 31, 2024
Read More
DAC Mourns the Loss of Longstanding Board Member, Ann Whyte J.D.
August 5, 2024
We are very sad to share that Ann Whyte, a longstanding member of our Board of Directors and previous Board Chair, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2024....
Read More
We’re Hiring!
July 1, 2024
DAC is looking for a Managing Attorney for our Corridor program! Corridor is an innovative program that supports parents who find themselves at the in...
Read More
Cynthia Chen, Appointed as a Judge in the Santa Clara County Superior Court
June 20, 2024
Congratulations to our Supervising Attorney Cynthia Chen on her appointment as a Judge in Santa Clara County!
Read More
13th Annual Family Reunification Day Celebration
June 15, 2024
Santa Clara County celebrated its 13th Annual Family Reunification Day on June 14, 2024, honoring families and youth who overcame immense challenges t...
Read More
Dependency Advocacy Center Turns 15!
November 3, 2023
Dependency Advocacy Center turned 15 on October 1, 2023! Oh, how time flies!
Read More
SSA Director Receives AnnaLisa Chung Award
October 31, 2023
Daniel Little, Director of the County’s Social Services Agency, was honored for his exceptional contributions to child welfare reform in an event mark...
Read More
DAC Announces Selection of Next CEO!
September 2, 2023
Since the retirement of our Co-Founder and CEO, AnnaLisa Chung, the Board of Directors has been conducting a search for a new CEO.
Read More
Cornerstones of Interdisciplinary Prevention Advocacy
February 16, 2023
The views expressed herein have not been approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, and accordingly...
Read More
Contact Us
For funding, media, or general inquiries, please submit the form below.
If you require immediate representation on an active dependency case call DAC’s main office phone number at 408-995-0714.
Main Office
Main: 408-995-0714
Fax: 408-516-3812
31 N. Second Street, Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95113