Judges and court officers set the tone for their courtrooms and for the court processes that are so critical to child welfare decision-making. In many jurisdictions, judges have led court improvement efforts that have not only improved the timeliness of court decisions but also created a climate of mutual respect and shared commitment to best practice that can positively contribute to worker satisfaction and stability. Resources include State and local examples.
A Call for Judicial Leadership in Reshaping Child Welfare in the United States (PDF - 1,126 KB)
Milner & Kelly (2018)
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Explains how primary prevention strategies in child welfare can be supported and implemented within the judicial system.
Dr. Milner Speech at Child Welfare Summit [Video]
State Courts (2019)
Presents recommendations to judges for improving child welfare practice, including requiring tailored case plans and using removal as a last resort, according to Children’s Bureau Commissioner, Dr. Jerry Milner.
Enhanced Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2016)
Presents guidelines developed for use by judges and court professionals as a tool to enhance court practice in child abuse and neglect cases, including in family court. This publication provides juvenile and family courts with a clear description of ways to fulfill their growing responsibilities in child abuse and neglect cases.
Implementation Sites Project
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2019)
Presents three implementation sites examining best methods for decreasing barriers to permanency through court improvement.
Judicial Leadership and Improving Child Protection Outcomes
National Center for State Courts
Presents seven strategies to incorporate the use of outcomes data to improve child and family services within the judicial system.
National Judicial Leadership Summit IV on Child Welfare
National Center for State Courts
Provides additional resources for the key themes from the National Judicial Leadership Summit IV on Child Welfare, which include incorporating the voice of families in the court process, delivering high quality legal representation to families, preventing the unnecessary entry of children into foster care, ensuring procedural fairness, and child welfare reform.
Spotlight on the Role of the Legal and Judicial Community in Improving Outcomes for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2019)
Children’s Bureau Express, 19(10)
Presents audience-specific articles related to the intersection of the judicial and child welfare systems that support increased collaboration and child serving capacities.
State and local examples
Chapter 1 - The Charge for Pennsylvania’s Dependency System (PDF - 927 KB)
Office of Children & Families in the Courts
Explains how judicial leadership can increase adherence to Pennsylvania’s guiding principles for the child dependency systems.
Missouri’s Multidisciplinary Approach to Child Welfare Systems Transformation
Green (2019)
Children’s Bureau Express, 19(10)
Describes three initiatives implemented in Missouri in order to increase multidisciplinary engagement in child welfare courts.
Reunited in Hancock Co.
Favre (2019)
The Sea Coast Echo
Describes the efforts of a courtroom in Hancock, Mississippi in supporting families working towards reunification.