IDS announces the appointment of Annick Lenoir-Peek by the IDS Commission as the new Parent Defender for the state of North Carolina. A
HB612 – A Cause to Celebrate
On June 26, 2025, Governor Stein signed House Bill 612, the Fostering Care in NC Act. This bipartisan bill was the work of multiple legislators, along
Inaugural Leader for the state Office of the Parent Defender (OPD) is set to retire
Wendy Sotolongo announces her retirement effective June 30, 2025. "It has been a great honor to be appointed as North Carolina’s first Parent
Deputy Parent Defender Defends Client at NC Supreme Court
For the first time this year, the North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an abuse/neglect/dependency case. On April 16, 2025, Annick
OPD and School of Government go on a road trip
OPD and the School of Government (SOG) have a long-standing collaboration to create quality, cost-effective education in all areas of indigent
Celebrating the Interdisciplinary Parent Representation Program!
OPD’s Interdisciplinary Parent Representation (IPR) Program pairs experienced social workers with parent attorneys to enhance legal representation for
Best interest of the child: Presumption of guilt
By WBTV / The Assembly Garnell Hill has never been accused of abuse or neglect. But Durham County has kept his son in foster care for more than
Best interest of the child: No-win scenario
By WBTV / The Assembly Jatoia Potts lost both her children because she couldn’t explain her baby’s injuries. The second of a three-part
Best interest of the child: The poverty trap
By WBTV / The Assembly When a Durham mother fled an abusive partner, the county took her children away - and she almost lost them forever. In the
How to Use the Appellate System to Push Back on the Family Policing System w/Annick Lenoir-Peek
Our very own N.C. Deputy Parent Defender, Annick Lenoir-Peek, was recently featured on the podcast/site, PUBLIC DEFENSELESS, with Hunter
Legislators want NC to stop making parents pay to avoid losing their kids
By WUNC State lawmakers want to make it easier for parents to regain custody of their kids from foster care. A recent NPR report found that