Meaningful and appropriate involvement of youth in their court hearings and case planning greatly benefits all participants and leads to more favorable outcomes for families. To ensure youth involvement in all aspects of court proceedings, systemic changes are needed at all levels. This section offers selected resources on engaging and involving youth in the court process, including State and local examples.
Empowering Youth in Court
Juvenile Law Center (2019)
Describes ways to empower youth in court, including having youth speak first during hearings, creating multiple avenues for youth to participate, and informing judges and others of the positive effects of having youth participation in court.
Engagement of Youth in Court: A National Analysis (PDF - 562 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures, American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law, & Bar-Youth Empowerment Project (2015)
State-by-State summary of a child's right to be present and participate in child protective proceedings.
How Adolescent Brain Science Supports Youth Engagement in Court Hearings and Case Planning
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law (2019)
Explores how brain science confirms that meaningfully involving youth in their own case planning and court hearings is important in child welfare cases and leads to more healthy growth and development for the child.
Youth Engagement in Court
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
Presents materials, articles, State examples and tools, and other information on youth engagement in court proceedings.
Youth Engagement Project
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
Highlights the Youth Engagement Project, which aims to improve outcomes for youth in foster care, promotes youth engagement in court cases, and supports permanency and transition planning and extending foster care beyond age 18.
State and local examples
Children's Commission Resources for Youth Engagement in Court Proceedings
Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (2019)
Discusses resources for youth engagement in court proceedings in Texas and provides links to learn about videoconferencing. Also included are additional resources to assist judges with engaging children and youth in court.
Involving Youth in Court: Lessons From the States
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law (2016)
Reviews findings from State assessments of youth engagement in court that showed many youth in foster care want to participate in decisions about their lives, including court proceedings. The resource includes examples from New Jersey, Washington, Kansas, Vermont, Delaware, and Colorado.
Youth Engagement in Court Proceedings: Toolkit (PDF - 802 KB)
The Supreme Court of Ohio (2017)
Provides an overview of recommendations and best practices that guide the practice of engaging youth and children in court proceedings. The toolkit also includes a tip sheet for youth to help them become more familiar with the court process and let them know how they may be involved.
Youth Fostering Change
Juvenile Law Center
Describes an engagement program that offers youth who are currently or formerly involved in child welfare the opportunity to evaluate the system and develop and implement a campaign that works toward reform.
Youth Voice in Court [Video]
Texas Network of Youth Services (2019)
Presents a video on the importance of youth voice and youth engagement in court cases. The resource reviews the challenges of including youth voices in court, how to support youth voice in court, and links to related toolkits and information.