The Child and Family Services Act, after it was amended, actually allows for a child and each parent of the child to choose and be accompanied by an adult who may assist them in the expression of his or her views when engaging the courts and when engaging the system. It doesn't necessarily allow or support the child advocate as the Member is describing, but it does allow for advocacy.

The Office of the Children's Lawyer began serving clients in 2011. I understand, once again, that that is not a child advocate, but it does provide those services once a child has access to the court system through Child and Family Services. We are doing some of those things. The legislation allows us to have other people advocate on their behalf.