Side by Side: Saving the Family Court Help Center

Staffed by PLA, the Philadelphia Family Court Help Center is a vital resource for parents and caregivers who seek help with family court matters without an attorney or need general information about court proceedings. 

In late 2025, the Help Center faced an uncertain future after the loss of federal funding. The potential closure of the Help Center would have left many families without legal guidance at critical moments in custody and Protection from Abuse proceedings. In response, leaders across Philadelphia’s legal and advocacy communities came together quickly to protect this important service and ensure that families could continue to receive help when they need it most. The Philadelphia Bar Association Civil Gideon Task Force formed a working group to respond to the funding crisis. 

The group is led by Frank Cervone, the former long-time Executive Director of the Support Center for Child Advocates. Frank has convened stakeholders from the private bar, the public interest community, and the court to develop both short-term and long-term solutions. Through a charitable giving campaign, this coalition raised more than $30,000 to support the work of a Family Court Help Center Advocate through June 2026, allowing the Help Center to remain open while longer-term funding is pursued.