The Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) process has demonstrated that the child welfare system's collaboration with the courts is critical to achieving positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. The following resources address training curricula and materials to help legal professionals, such as judges, court-appointed special advocates (CASAs), and lawyers better understand the child welfare system and the overlapping issues affecting each system. Resources include State and local examples.
Helping Babies From the Bench: Using the Science of Early Childhood Development in Court
ZERO TO THREE (2007)
View Abstract
Raises awareness of the impact maltreatment has on developmental outcomes for infants and toddlers and highlights how judges can intervene on behalf of the child.
A National Curriculum for Caseflow Management in Juvenile Dependency Cases Involving Foster Care (PDF - 261 KB)
Fostering Results, Justice Management Institute, & JERITT Project (2005)
Presents a caseflow management workshop curriculum specifically geared for use with multidisciplinary, interagency teams of practitioners dealing with juvenile dependency cases involving children in foster care.
Understanding Child Welfare and the Dependency Court: A Guide for Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (2004)
Assists substance abuse professionals in understanding the impact of child welfare and dependency court requirements on substance abuse clients who are parents.
State and local examples
CASA Training Page
Arizona Supreme Court (2005)
Discusses court procedures, including confidentiality, court report writing, criminal proceedings, permanency options, and testifying in court.
Courtroom Skills: Assessment of Training Quality and Participant Learning (PDF - 341 KB)
Stokes & Sanders (2006)
Describes the outcomes of a training program designed to improve the courtroom skills of Missouri juvenile officers and Children's Division caseworkers in the area of court preparation and testimony.
Training Wheel Curriculum
Colorado Supreme Court, Court Improvement Program
Provides multiple trainings to help participants and practitioners understand aspects of the child welfare system.
Child Welfare Information Gateway encourages organizations to submit resources from their workforce or training efforts for inclusion in our library. Send information to library@childwelfare.gov.