Our Education Team works with parents and students to obtain the educational services and disability supports that they need to thrive in school. We defend students facing suspension and other disciplinary actions in school settings, and we help students get transfers or solve other problems that are interfering with their education. Our education unit also works to change New York City Department of Education policies that disproportionately impact people in Brooklyn due to their race, identity or economic status.

Arrests, involvement with ACS, potential deportation, and the court cases that come with them, make it difficult for people to keep or find a job. Our Employment Team helps people at risk of losing their employment due to their legal case and assists people facing employment discrimination and other illegal employment practices.

Our team works with clients and their families to prevent a loss of housing, benefits, or property due to a legal case or investigation. We provide representation to defend people from eviction in both housing court and administrative proceedings related to NYCHA. We fight for our client’s right to live in safe housing conditions and receive benefits for disability, public assistance and SNAP and for everyone to have the basic essentials of life.

Our Reentry Team advocates provide services for people who have been incarcerated in New York’s jails and prisons. After release from incarceration or completing an alternative to incarceration program, BDS’ Reentry Team will help formerly incarcerated people find housing, gainful employment, continuing education, therapeutic programming and achieve a successful reintegration into their family and community.

BDS helps people obtain sealing of their arrest record when they are legally entitled to that relief. People who are able to seal their record get a real second chance to obtain housing, employment and pursue life objectives after they have not been arrested for a period of time.