Resources and information about legal issues and court processes in child welfare cases, including State and local examples.
A Child's Journey Through the Child Welfare System (PDF - 80 KB)
Badeau & Gesiriech (2005)
Highlights typical decision points on a child's journey through the child welfare system.
Making a Connection and a Difference With America's Youth: A Service Guide for Lawyers (PDF - 473 KB)
ABA Commission on Youth at Risk & ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service (2009)
Focuses on programs for youth aged 13-21 and explains how attorneys can get involved with helping meet the needs of youth in the foster care and juvenile systems.
Making Reasonable Efforts Findings in a Pandemic [Webinar]
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2020)
Offers a webinar to assist juvenile and family courts in understanding the importance of examining reasonable efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinar reviews why a "no reasonable efforts" finding can be controversial but important, how the lack of available services during the pandemic may impact reasonable efforts findings and what to do when this happens, how to prepare for a potential increase in cases, and more.
"Reasonable Efforts": A Call to Clarify Child Protection Law
Furness (2005)
APSAC Advisor, 17(2)
View Abstract
Summarizes the background of reasonable efforts requirements of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, examines judicial interpretations, searches for trends in services offered to children and parents, and outlines the responsibilities of child protection attorneys.
State and local examples
Child Welfare Handbook
New Mexico Judicial Education Center & Corinne Wolfe Children's Law Center (2003)
Resource guide to New Mexico's child abuse and neglect process for the judiciary and other members of the child welfare community.
Going to Court: A Guide for Iowa's Young Children (PDF - 15,094 KB)
Iowa Children's Justice (2010)
Provides a guide for children in Iowa who are involved with dependency proceedings and explains the juvenile court process and roles of people involved in dependency court proceedings in Iowa.
Juvenile Court Dependency Benchbook
State of Oregon Judicial Department & Juvenile Court Improvement Program (2011)
Provides general information on juvenile law, court procedures, and recommended practices and is cross-referenced to model juvenile dependency court forms.
Protocols Relative to Abuse and Neglect Cases and Permanency Planning
United States District Court (New Hampshire), New Hampshire Judicial Branch/ Family Division, New Hampshire Probate Court, & New Hampshire Court Improvement Project (2003)
Description of a project in New Hampshire to improve court practice in child abuse and neglect cases.