Resources and information about the role of the courts in the child welfare system.
- Overview
- Court processes
- Attorney roles
- Confidentiality in court proceedings
- Special issues for courts
- Court improvement/court reform
- Court-child welfare agency collaboration
Engaging Fathers Considerations
Edwards (2007)
View Abstract and Download
Describes strategies that judges can use to ensure fathers are engaged in child welfare cases.
Florida's Dependency Hearing Benchbook
Dependency Court Improvement Panel (2012)
Provides information regarding legal and non-legal considerations in dependency cases. Contains promising and science informed practices, as well as a legal resource guide.
Representation of Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 894KB) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Examines State laws that specify when a state court must provide legal representation for a child involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings and whether that representative must be an attorney, guardian ad litem, or a court-appointed special advocate. The qualifications, training, specific duties, and compensation of the representative also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.