Legal and Judicial Resources

The Bar-Youth Empowerment has developed many materials to support attorneys, judges, CASAs, GALs and other stakeholders with meaningfully and appropriately involving youth in their court hearings and case planning.

The Bar-Youth Empowerment Project has developed a formal Training and Technical Assistance Package that includes a number of helpful materials for lawyers and judges.

We have developed a series of benchcards that are designed to assist judges with meaningfully involving youth in their court hearings. Please click on each of the following links to download the benchcards:

We have developed a “Top Concerns” document which details some of the most frequent concerns with involving youth in their court hearings, as well as suggested solutions to these actual or perceived barriers.

To access the PowerPoint presentation from the Cook County "Joining Forces Training" from September 13-14, please click here.

Andrea Khoury, Project Director for the Bar-Youth Project, has written a number of helpful articles about youth involvement in court and also provides training and technical assistance.

  • Seen and Heard: Involving Children in Dependency Court
    This article includes an overview of national policies addressing children's participation in court, followed by discussion of the benefits of such participation. It then offers concrete suggestions for reforming practice, policy, and systems to better engage youth in the court process.
  • With Me, Not Without Me: How to Involve Children in Court
    This article offers tips to help lawyers and judges prepare for children's involvement in child welfare proceeding by: court making courtroom accommodations that help children feel comfortable participating in the court process and asking age-appropriate questions to obtain information from children that will aid the decision-making process.
  • Seen and Heard: Involving Children in Dependency Court
    This PowerPoint presentation, developed by Andrea Khoury, reflects the information covered her Child Law Practice article, Seen and Heard: Involving Children in Dependency Court. It includes policies of National Judicial and Bar Associations, information about what is happening around the country related to this issue, and a discussion of benefits when youth participate, policy and practice considerations, tips for involving youth in court proceedings, and systemic changes to increase youth participation in court.

Resources for Youth

Your opinion matters! It is important that you are asked about your needs and wants and attend court so the judge can listen to you. The following resources are designed to help you understand the importance of attending court and being actively involved in your case.

There are a lot of things to think about and do when you leave foster care. You may be applying to go to college or looking for a job. You may be renting your first apartment or opening your first bank account. You may want to talk to other people who have gone through the same thing. Below are some resources that will help you make the transition to moving out on your own a little easier and connect you to some organizations that may be helpful along the way.

The Bar-Youth Empowerment Project, in partnership with Florida’s Children First, has developed a “know your rights” manual for youth. The booklet is designed to help youth in Florida prepare for the transition to independence.

If you have any questions or think there is anything we should add to this webpage, please email Kristin.Kelly@americanbar.org

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Journal Articles, Reports, State Laws and Court Rules, and ABA Policies

The Bar-Youth Empowerment Project has collected a number of law review articles, reports, state laws and court rules, and ABA policies related to youth involvement in court. If you have materials that should be included, please email Kristin.Kelly@americanbar.org.


Law Review and Other Articles


  • Ex Parte Communications between Children and Judges in Dependency Proceedings
    This article addresses ex parte communications by children and youth with the court by reviewing governing rules and laws. Through three case examples, the article provides tips for judges and attorneys, even in jurisdictions that lack case law or court rules on point.

  • Seen and Heard: Involving Children in Dependency Court
    This article includes an overview of national policies addressing children's participation in court, followed by discussion of the benefits of such participation. It then offers concrete suggestions for reforming practice, policy, and systems to better engage youth in the court process.
  • With Me, Not Without Me: How to Involve Children in Court
    This article offers tips to help lawyers and judges prepare for children's involvement in child welfare proceeding by: court making courtroom accommodations that help children feel comfortable participating in the court process and asking age-appropriate questions to obtain information from children that will aid the decision-making process.

State Laws, Policies, and Court Rules


  • State-by-State Chart about Youth Involvement in Court
    This chart, originally developed by Theresa Hughes of St. John Law School, and updated in 2009 by the Bar-Youth Empowerment Project, examines every state to determine 1) whether a child is considered a party, 2) entitled to notice of proceedings, and 3) has a right to be present during proceedings.
  • Foster Youth in Court Policy
    Family Court of the First Circuit – Hawaii - Family Court Policies Regarding Youth Attendance in Court for H.R.S. Chapter 587 Cases

ABA Policies


  • ABA Policy – Youth Transitioning From Foster Care (August 2007)
    The ABA encourages bar associations, judges, and attorneys to lead and promote efforts to create comprehensive support and services for youth who age out of foster care ("transitioning youth") and other former foster youth until at least age 21, and urges amendment of applicable law, and court and child welfare practices to provide a number of rights and services for transitioning youth. Furthermore, the ABA policy resolution urges Congress to amend federal law to expand services and support for transitioning youth.

Workgroups and Reports


Training and Technical Assistance

The ABA's Bar-Youth Empowerment Project is collaborating with the National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues to provide free trainings and technical assistance to states and territories for judges, lawyers, CASAs, social workers, foster parents, and all other stakeholders on effective strategies and practices to enhance the involvement of youth in court.


“All I ever wanted was to be heard and not just dismissed." This quote from a youth in foster care is common. Youth have rarely been allowed to participate in their dependency court proceedings.


We are happy to structure the training/TA to meet your state's needs and to match where your state may be in regard to the process of engaging youth in the court process. The focus can be on buy in from stakeholders, how to prepare youth for court, how to engage youth in court, how to create a court environment and hearing that best includes youth in the process, and/or how to debrief youth following court hearings. Please click here for a sample day long agenda that we could bring to your state. Also, click here for a sample longer TA on developing policies around youth in court.


We would be happy to speak with anyone about these trainings and explore how your jurisdiction can better involve youth in dependency court hearings. Our training and technical assistance support is useful for jurisdictions that have already been including youth, and for those who have just started to consider this option.


For more information, or to request training or TA, please contact: Andrea Khoury, Project Director Andrea.Khoury@americanbar.org (202) 662-1730