Child welfare agencies and legal and judicial communities have many common goals and a history of collaboration intended to improve outcomes for children and families. The Federal Court Improvement Program provides funds to State and Tribal courts to improve child welfare and court partnerships, address systemic barriers, and promote equitable practices.
It’s important that all children and youth, biological families, foster or kin caregivers, and trained parent advocates attend court proceedings and are authentically engaged in decision-making. Quality legal representation for children, youth, and families is an important aspect of equitable practice to address disproportionality and disparities because it amplifies the voices of children and youth, protects parent’s and children’s rights, and improves the timeliness of parent-child and sibling visitation as well as permanency.
Child welfare cases are legal cases between a child welfare agency—or a prosecutor—and a parent, parents, or guardian, but they are not criminal cases. The purpose of court hearings is to determine whether children and youth are safe, not to prosecute parents or guardians. Authentic engagement and collaborations among child welfare agencies, the legal and judicial communities, and families can improve outcomes and experiences.
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Subtopics
Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance
The Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance (JCAMP) were designed to help child welfare professionals and others understand, track, and improve court practices over time.
Family Treatment Courts
Family treatment courts use a family-centered, collaborative approach to improve outcomes for families involved with child welfare who are affected by substance use disorders.
Court Improvement Programs
The Federal Court Improvement Program funds State and Tribal Court Improvement Projects to enhance child welfare proceedings; promote collaboration between courts, agencies, and Tribes; and support improved safety, permanency, and well-being.
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CFSR Round 4: Fact Sheet for Legal and Judicial Communities
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Capacity Building Center for Courts
Learn how the Capacity Building Center for Courts designs products to increase awareness, understanding, and engagement among legal and judicial professionals and helps jurisdictions achieve positive child welfare outcomes for children and families.
Changing Course in Youth Detention: Reversing Widening Gaps by Race and Place
Explore an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black youths' already distressingly high detention center involvement. The report also discusses how where youth resided played a role in their odds of being detained.
Court Improvement Programs: Collaboration Between Child Welfare Agencies and Legal and Judicial Communities
Find information on collaboration and relationship building between the legal and judicial communities and child welfare agencies through the Court Improvement Program, which provides Federal funds to State and Tribal courts to improve practices.
Legal Representation in Child Welfare Proceedings
Find information on legal representation in child welfare proceedings, including child abuse and neglect cases. Learn about the benefits of high-quality legal representation, including how judges can promote it, and explore practices for attorneys.
Improving Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Through a Race Equity Lens: A Toolkit for Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Browse a toolkit designed to equip juvenile and family court judges with effective strategies and approaches for enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through a race equity lens within the court system.
Representation of Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
Explore 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.
Tribal Court Clearinghouse
Find extensive information and resources about Tribal justice system issues, Tribal law and codes, Tribal courts, and other issues. The website also includes a training events calendar and resources from all Tribal Law and Policy Institute webinars.
Understanding Child Welfare and the Courts
Discover information about the legal process, including information about different stages of court proceedings, how parents and family members can prepare for court hearings, and who and what to expect in the courtroom and throughout court process.