|
 November 2009 |
| Child Welfare and the Law |
The following organizations are among many that have information on Child Welfare and the Law. Inclusion on this list is for information purposes and does not constitute an endorsement by Child Welfare Information Gateway or the Children's Bureau. For the most current information, please refer to the National Organizations section of Child Welfare Information Gateway at http://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/index.cfm.
Recommended updates and additions to the Information Gateway Organization database can be emailed to: OrganizationUpdates@childwelfare.gov
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ABA Center on Children and the Law
740 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005-1022
| Phone: | (202) 662-1720 |
| Fax: | (202) 662-1755 |
http://www.abanet.org/child/
The ABA Center on Children and the Law seeks to improve the laws, policies, and judicial procedures affecting children by supporting legal representation for youth, facilitating coordination between attorneys and caseworkers, reducing court delays, and providing training to court professionals involved in child welfare.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues - http://www.abanet.org/child/rclji/home.html
- Grandfamilies State Law & Policy Resource Center - http://grandfamilies.org/
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA)
P.O. Box 33053
Washington, DC 20033
| Phone: | (202) 832-2222 |
http://www.adoptionattorneys.org/
The American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (AAAA) is a national membership association of attorneys who practice, or have otherwise distinguished themselves, in the field of adoption law. AAAA works to promote the reform of adoption laws and to disseminate information on ethical adoption practices. Their Membership Directory, including members from the U. S. and Canada, lists attorneys who are well versed in the complexities of adoption law as well as interstate and international regulations regarding adoption.
American Adoption Congress (AAC)
P.O. Box 42730
Washington, DC 20015
| Phone: | (202) 483-3399 |
| (800) 888-7970 |
The American Adoption Congress (AAC) is an international network of individuals and organizations committed to honesty and openness in adoption and to reforms that protect all of those involved from abuse or exploitation. Membership is open to adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, professionals, and all others who share a commitment to the AAC's goals.
American Bar Association (ABA)
740 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005-1019
| Phone: | (202) 662-1000 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 285-2221 |
http://www.abanet.org
General Scope: The ABA provides law school accreditation, continuing legal education, information about the law, programs to assist lawyers and judges in their work, and initiatives to improve the legal system for the public. ABA publications include a "Consumer's Guide to Legal Help," with lawyer and pro bono attorney locator services.
Training Specific: A portion of the ABA website is dedicated to Education Resources, including continuing legal education and educating the public. For more information, see http://www.abanet.org/education.html.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- ABA Section of Family Law - http://www.abanet.org/family/home.html
American Bar Association Family Law Section
Family Law Section
750 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
| Phone: | (312) 988-5145 |
| (202) 662-1000 | |
| Fax: | (312) 988-6800 |
http://www.abanet.org/family/home.html
The American Bar Association Family Law Section was organized to improve the administration of justice in the field of family law. Areas such as divorce, custody, adoption, alimony, and support are within the scope of the Family Law Section, as are emerging issues such as third party parental rights, marital torts, Federal and interstate legislation, mediation, and the complicated questions of paternity, perinatal drug addiction, bankruptcy to deprive divorcing spouses of property, and genetic engineering. The Web site has a special section devoted to "General Public Resources," including frequently asked questions and "how to find an attorney."
American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI)
99 Canal Center Plaza
Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
| Phone: | (703) 549-9222 |
| Fax: | (703) 836-3195 |
General Scope: American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI) is the research, training, and technical assistance affiliate of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). The Institute, a nonprofit research and program development resource for prosecutors at all levels of government, is committed to providing interdisciplinary responses to complex problems of criminal justice. Child abuse, abduction, and exploitation are among APRI's major focuses, as is juvenile justice.
An APRI program, the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA), is a resource for expert legal assistance, training, court reform, and up-to-date information on criminal child abuse investigations and prosecutions.
Training Specific: APRI offers training for State and local prosecutors covering a wide variety of topics, including child protection, via links from the home page.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- National Center For Prosecution of Child Abuse - http://www.ndaa.org/apri/programs/ncpca/ncpca_home.html
The National District Attorneys Association NDAA)established the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) as a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI). Aimed at responding to an increasing volume of reported child abuse, the NCPCA serves as a central resource for training, expert legal assistance, court reform and state-of-the-art information on criminal child abuse investigations and prosecutions.
Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC)
American Public Human Services Association
810 First Street NE
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20002-4267
| Phone: | (202) 682-0100 |
| Fax: | (202) 289-6555 |
http://icpc.aphsa.org
The Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children is a uniform State law establishing a contract among party States to ensure that children placed across state lines receive adequate protection and services. The primary function of the ICPC is to protect the interests of both the children and the States by requiring that certain procedures be followed in the interstate placement of children who are being adopted, placed with relatives, or going into residential care or foster family homes.
Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA)
American Public Human Services Association
810 First Street NE
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20002-4267
| Phone: | (202) 682-0100 |
| Fax: | (202) 289-6555 |
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance facilitates the administration of the ICAMA. The Compact is the legal mechanism by which member States regulate and coordinate the interstate delivery of services to children with special needs who are adopted pursuant to adoption assistance agreements. Along with advocating State participation in the ICAMA, the Association provides technical and legal assistance, education and training, and materials on practice and policy issues.
Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
1015 15th Street, NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
| Phone: | (202) 906-8000 |
| Fax: | (202) 842-2885 |
The Center for Law and Social Policy's work is concentrated on family policy and access to civil legal assistance for low-income families. Family policy projects include welfare reform, child welfare, and couples and marriage.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- Child Welfare - http://www.clasp.org/publications.php?id=5#0
CLASP focuses on ways the child welfare and TANF fields can work collaboratively to help families and works to ensure a comprehensive range of services that low-income children and their parents need.
- Couples and Marriage - http://www.clasp.org/publications.php?id=6
CLASP focuses on a "Marriage-Plus" perspective, which has two main goals centered on the well-being of children: (1) to help more children grow up with their two biological, married parents whose relationship is healthy; (2) when this isn’t possible, to help parents--whether unmarried, cohabiting, separated, divorced, or remarried--cooperate better in raising their children.
Center on Children, Families, and the Law (CCFL)
121 South 13th Street
Suite 302
Lincoln, NE 68588-0227
| Phone: | (402)472-3479 |
| Fax: | (402)472-8412 |
http://www.unl.edu/ccfl/ccfl.htm
General Scope: The mission of the Center on Children, Families, and the Law is to conduct research, analyze policy, and provide education and community service related to child and family policy and law. The purpose of the Center's activities is to enhance the well-being of children, youth, and families.
Training Specific: The Center provides competency-based case management training to child protection and safety workers and juvenile services officers employed by the Nebraska Health and Human Services System (NHHSS). The training covers a broad scope of services including: training needs assessment; assessment of worker performance; training development and delivery (pre-service, in-service, and specialized); and training evaluation. For additional information, see http://ccfl.unl.edu/services/training/.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children's Bureau/ACYF
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW -- Eighth Floor
Washington, DC 20024
| Phone: | (703) 385-7565 |
| Fax: | (703) 385-3206 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 394-3366 |
http://www.childwelfare.gov
Child Welfare Information Gateway connects professionals and the general public to information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.
A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to programs, research, laws and policies, training resources, statistics, and much more.
FosterClub
753 First Avenue
Seaside, OR 97138
| Phone: | (503) 717-1552 |
| Fax: | (503) 717-1702 |
| Toll-Free: | (877) 216-7379 |
FosterClub provides encouragement, motivation, information, education, and benefits for foster youth. The website provides information relating to foster care including articles, questions and answers (q+a), message boards, contests, discussion of foster care topics, and biographies of famous people who grew up in care.
The FosterClub website also includes information for two specific groups:
- Transition Club (http://transition.fosterclub.com/) helps young people transitioning out of foster care with information on permanency, independent living, higher education, and more.
- Booster Club (http://booster.fosterclub.com/), a resource designed for the adults who care for foster children. Caseworkers, independent living providers, advocates and foster parents will find related resources, tools, and articles.
Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse (JJ)
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000
| Fax: | (301) 519-5212 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 851-3420 |
http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/programs/ProgSummary.asp?pi=2
The Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse (JJ) was established by the Federal Government's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) as a resource for people interested in juvenile justice, delinquency issues, and the OJJDP. JJ provides assistance with information on specific juvenile justice and delinquency prevention issues and help with ordering publications, requesting materials and information on conferences, and obtaining information on grants and funding opportunities.
Lambda Legal
National Headquarters
120 Wall Street
Suite 1500
New York, NY 10005-3904
| Phone: | (212) 809-8585 |
| Fax: | (212) 809-0055 |
http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/iowa/
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Adoption-related publications are available.
Lawyers for Children America (LFCA)
151 Farmington Avenue, RW61
Hartford, CT 06156
| Phone: | (305) 577-4771 |
| (860) 273-0441 |
http://www.lawyersforchildrenamerica.org
Lawyers for Children America (LFCA) is an advocacy organization that protects the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect by providing pro bono legal representation and collaborating for systemic change to improve the lives of children.
Legal Advocates for Permanent Parenting (LAPP)
1840 Gateway Drive
Suite 200
San Mateo, CA 94404
| Phone: | (650) 712-1442 |
| Fax: | (650) 712-1637 |
http://www.lapponline.org
The Legal Advocates for Permanent Parenting (LAPP) provides self-help legal information, training, referrals, and consulting on issues of interest to foster parents, kinship caregivers, and pre-adoptive families of children in foster care.
In addition, LAPP works to improve communication between child welfare workers, CASAs, attorneys, and the courts and to educate the general public about the fostering and adoptive process, with the goal of encouraging permanence for children in the public child welfare system.
Legal Center for Foster Care & Education
American Bar Association, Center on Children & the Law
740 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
| Fax: | (202) 662-1755 |
http://www.abanet.org/child/education/home.shtml
The Legal Center for Foster Care & Education (Legal Center FCE) serves as a national technical assistance resource and information clearinghouse on legal and policy matters affecting the education of children in the foster care system. The Legal Center FCE provides expertise to States and constituents, facilitates networking to advance promising practices and reforms, and provides technical assistance and training to respond to the ever-growing demands for legal support and guidance.
The Legal Center FCE is a collaboration between Casey Family Programs and the ABA Center on Children and the Law, in conjunction with the Education Law Center-PA and the Juvenile Law Center.
National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC)
1825 Marion Street
Suite 242
Denver, CO 80218
| Phone: | (303) 864-5320 |
| Fax: | (303) 864-5351 |
| Toll-Free: | (888) 828-NACC |
http://www.naccchildlaw.org
The National Association of Counsel for Children works to improve the legal protection and representation of children by training and educating child advocates and by effecting policy and legal systems change. The NACC sponsors conferences and seminars on important issues confronting child advocates and files amicus curiae briefs in selected court cases affecting children. The Association also has a legislative agenda, a national child advocate awards program, and a speakers bureau.
National Center for Adoption Law and Policy (NCALP)
Capital University Law School
303 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
| Phone: | (614) 236-6730 |
| Fax: | (614) 236-6958 |
http://www.ncalp.org
The mission of the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy, at Capital University Law School, is to improve the law, policies, and practices associated with child protection and adoption systems.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- The Adoption LawSite Project - http://www.adoptionlawsite.com/
The goal of the LawSite is to deliver a single online resource where perspective adoptive parents, biological parents, adoption and child welfare lawyers, juvenile and family court judges, and child advocates of all kinds can turn to for child welfare and adoption law information.
National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA)
American Prosecutors Research Institute
99 Canal Center Plaza
Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
| Phone: | (703) 549-4253 |
| Fax: | (703) 836-3195 |
http://www.ndaa.org/apri/programs/ncpca/ncpca_home.html
The National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse is a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI). The Center is a central resource for training, expert legal assistance, court reform efforts, and state-of-the art information on criminal child abuse investigations and prosecutions. The NCPCA promotes the prosecution and conviction of child abusers by offering information, training, technical assistance, and referral services to prosecutors involved in child abuse litigation. The Center also compiles State criminal statutes in selected topic areas.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- State Statutes (criminal) - http://www.ndaa.org/apri/programs/ncpca/statutes.html
National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
300 Newport Avenue
Williamsburg, VA 23185
| Fax: | (757) 564-2022 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 616-6164 |
http://www.ncsconline.org
The National Center for State Courts is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of the justice system. NCSC accomplishes its mission by providing leadership and service to State courts, helping them improve the administration of justice and better serve the public. Leadership activities include developing policies to enhance State courts, advancing the interests of State courts within the Federal Government, fostering State court adaptation to future changes, securing sufficient resources for State courts, strengthening State court leadership, facilitating State court collaboration, and providing a model for organizational administration.
National Center for Youth Law (NCYL)
405 14th Street
15th floor
Oakland, CA 94612-2701
| Fax: | (501) 835-8099 |
| TTY: | (510) 835-8098 |
http://www.youthlaw.org
The National Center for Youth Law is a private, nonprofit law office offering assistance to attorneys and organizations seeking legal remedies to protect children from the harms of poverty. The Center works to protect abused and neglected children, expand health care for children and youth, secure public benefits to meet their special needs, and improve child support collection. The Center produces the annual Foster Care Reform Litigation Docket.
National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues (RCLJI)
740 15th Street NW
9th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-1009
| Phone: | (202) 662-1736 |
| Fax: | (202) 662-1755 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 285-2221 |
http://www.abanet.org/child/rclji
General Scope: The National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues (RCLJI), a service of the Children's Bureau, provides expertise to State and Tribal agencies and courts on legal and judicial aspects of child welfare. The Resource Center is dedicated to achieving safety, permanence and well-being for abused and neglected children through improved laws and judicial decision-making. Areas of focus include: permanency decision-making, adherence to ASFA and other federal laws, the court's role in the CFSR and child welfare reform, high quality legal representation for all parties, judicial and attorney workloads, quality assurance for courts and legal offices, effective forensic performance by agencies, the impact of ASFA on youth in the juvenile justice system, education needs of children in foster care, legal ethics, and the interplay of domestic violence and child welfare.
Training Specific: The Center offers training to meet needs indentified in the PIPs such as improving the timeliness of judicial decision-making and ASFA nuts and bolts implementation for judges.
In addition, the Center has workshops that may be helpful to States and Tribes in the CFSR process, including:
- Best Practices to Implement ASFA: Creative Strategies for Permanence
- Making it Permanent: Efforts to Finalize Permanency Plans for Children in Foster Care
- Meeting Educational Needs of Children in Foster Care.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
7700 East First Place
Denver, CO 80230
| Phone: | (303) 364-7700 |
| (202) 624-5400 | |
| Fax: | (303) 364-7800 |
| (202) 737-1069 |
http://www.ncsl.org
The National Conference of State Legislatures promotes information sharing by tracking legislation and policy issues in State legislatures and the effect of Federal initiatives on the States. The NCSL offers information, publications, conferences, consulting services, and professional development seminars. The NCSL also advocates for the States by lobbying, testifying, and collaborating on Capitol Hill.
National Council For Adoption (NCFA)
225 North Washington Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2561
| Phone: | (703) 299-6633 |
| Fax: | (703) 299-6004 |
http://www.adoptioncouncil.org
The National Council For Adoption promotes the well-being of children, birthparents, and adoptive families by informing policy leaders, the media, social service providers, and the public about the positive option of adoption. The Council is a charitable membership organization with a variety or functions: a think tank for adoption awareness and information, a provider of public information and education, and an advocate for adoption.
National Council of Birthmothers (NCOB)
P.O. Box 99769
Seattle, WA 98199-0769
The National Council of Birthmothers supports the rights and interests of birth mothers in adoption issues, especially those involving the rights of adult adopted persons. The Council asserts that it is the right of all people to have an unaltered official birth record, regardless of adoption status.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ)
P.O. Box 8970
Reno, NV 89507
| Phone: | (775) 784-6012 |
| Fax: | (775) 784-6628 |
http://www.ncjfcj.org/
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is dedicated to improving the court system's handling of juvenile and family matters through applied research, technical assistance, and continuing education of judges and juvenile justice professionals on family violence, child abuse and neglect, and child protection and custody.
With funding from the Packard Foundation and the U. S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, the NCJFCJ's "Greenbook Initiative" (Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice) includes recommendations to help child welfare and domestic violence agencies and family courts work together more effectively to help families experiencing violence. Many sites around the country have used it to improve their policies and practices. See http://www.thegreenbook.info/ for more information about this initiative.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- Permanency Planning for Children Dept. - http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/blogcategory/131/169/
The mission of the Permanency Planning for Children Department is to provide an environment for change by supporting and facilitating dependency court teams and by providing education and technical assistance to enable courts nationwide to meet their goals to improve practice in child abuse and neglect cases.
- Family Violence Department - http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/20/94/
The Family Violence Department of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (FVD) is dedicated to improving the way courts, law enforcement, agencies and others respond to family violence while recognizing the legal, cultural, and psychological dynamics involved with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of domestic violence victims and their children.
National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA)
100 West Harrison Street
North Tower, Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98119
| Phone: | (206) 270-0072 |
| Fax: | (206) 270-0078 |
| Toll-Free: | (800) 628-3233 |
http://www.nationalcasa.org
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association is a nonprofit organization created to support the development, growth, and continuation of court appointed special advocate (CASA) programs. CASA volunteers advise courts on the best interests of children who may be victims of abuse or neglect. The Association provides support in training, legal research, fundraising, public awareness, and government relations services to local CASA groups.
National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
810 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20531
| Phone: | (202) 307-2942 |
The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. The Institute researches crime control and justice issues, and provides evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, mostly at the State and local levels.
National Law Center for Children and Families (NLC)
225 North Fairfax Drive
Alexandria, VA 22314
| Phone: | (703) 548-5522 |
| Fax: | (703) 548-5544 |
http://www.nationallawcenter.org/
The National Law Center for Children and Families (NLC) provides legal assistance, training, and education regarding obscenity and child pornography laws that protect children and communities.
National Legal Aid & Defender Association
1140 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
| Phone: | (202) 452-0620 |
| Fax: | (202) 872-1031 |
http://www.nlada.org
The National Legal Aid & Defender Association provides support, technical assistance, services, and advocacy for public and pro bono justice system professionals who serve primarily low-income clients, families, and communities.
U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS
425 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20529
| Toll-Free: | (800) 375-5283 |
Effective March 1, 2003, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began administering the nation's immigration laws when the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) became part of the DHS. Through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the DHS will continue to assist immigrants into the country by administering services such as immigrant and nonimmigrant sponsorship, adjustment of status, work authorization and other permits, naturalization of qualified applicants for U.S. citizenship, and asylum or refugee processing. Immigration enforcement issues, including preventing aliens from entering the country unlawfully, will be the responsibility of the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security.
Major Program(s)/Initiatives(s):
- Immigration Statistics - http://www.dhs.gov/ximgtn/statistics/
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children's Bureau |
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Child Welfare Information Gateway Children's Bureau/ACYF 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW Eighth Floor Washington, DC 20024 703.385.7565 or 800.394.3366 Email: info@childwelfare.gov |