Representing Parents

Children

First Steps in Representing a Parent Accused of Abuse or Neglect

Matthew Fraidin

Everything a parent attorney needs to know when representing a parent accused of abuse or neglect, from the first client meeting, information gathering, and representing the parent at trial.

Children

Changing the Child Welfare Landscape: Tips for Parent Attorneys on Building Relationships with Social Services Staff

Center for Family Representation

Parent's counsel can benefit from relationships with case planners and social services staff, who often play a key role deciding if a child can live safely at home.

Children

The Role of Counsel in Representing Parents

Martin Guggenheim

Need some direction when representing parents in child welfare cases? Consider these points by NYU Law Professor Martin Guggenheim.

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Advocacy for Parents at Family Team Meetings

Richard Cozzola, Lee Shevell

How to plan, conduct, and advocate for parents at family team meetings.

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Why Gather Data on Parent Representation? The Pros, Cons, Promise and Pitfalls

Andrew Davies, Angela Olivia Burton

Want to improve parent representation quality? Gather and analyze data to identify strengths and weaknesses, then chart a course to serve parent clients better. Learn why data collection matters and how to get started.

Katherine Gomez: Parent Advocate and System Reformer

Kathryn Byers

Kathy Gomez is managing attorney at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia. For 15 years, she has honed her advocacy for families in the child welfare system.

Children

How to Be a Successful Parent's Lawyer

Claire Chiamulera

Professor Martin Guggenheim shares tips for success for parent attorneys.

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Representing Parents with Disabilities: Best Practice

Claire Chiamulera

Three experts share tips for representing parents with disabilities in dependency and family court cases.

Tools for Evaluating Parent Attorney Performance

Elizabeth Thornton

Evaluating parent attorney performance is often overlooked. Evaluations are proving to be great tools to improve attorney performance.

Children

Federal Agencies Say State Cannot Discriminate Against Parents with Disabilities

Robyn Powell

A joint federal letter addressing a child welfare agency's discrimination against a mother with a disability may have a far-reaching impact. Learn how.

Children

New Strategies for Responding to Maternal Depression

Claire Chiamulera

Helping mothers with depression helps their children. Learn the latest strategies to remove barriers to treatment.

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Rethinking Parent Representation in Minnesota: Law Clinic Steps Up

Mimi Laver

Minnesota faced a crisis when public defenders stopped representing parents in child welfare cases. A law school clinic stepped up and turned the situation around.

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Why High Quality Parent Representation Matters

Elizabeth Thornton

An advisor for a law school clinic representing parents in child welfare cases in Minnesota explains the importance of quality parent representation.

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A New Focus on Reasonable Efforts to Reunify

Amelia S. Watson

A shift is occurring regarding reasonable efforts enforceability since the economic crisis has impacted child welfare funding streams.

How Social Workers Can Support Parents' Attorneys

Diane Boyd Rauber

Learn how some jurisdictions are using dedicated social workers to support parents.

Children

Representing Parents During Child Welfare Investigations: Precourt Advocacy Strategies

Elizabeth Fassler

Navigating child welfare investigations is easier for many parents in New York. That's because the Center for Family Representation uses a unique approach -- Community Advocacy Teams. Learn how CAT Teams support parents and strengthen advocacy on their behalf.

Working with Parent Partners to Achieve Better Case Outcomes for Families

Diane Boyd Rauber

Parent partners are helping parents navigate the child welfare system and reach positive outcomes.

Children

Michigan Judge Leads Project to Improve Parent Representation

Elizabeth Thornton

Inspired by the results of an evaluation of parent attorney performance, a Michigan judge has started a project to help turn things around. Key project elements are outlined as well as expected project benefits.

From the Courthouse to the Statehouse: Parents as Partners in Child Welfare

Diane Boyd Rauber

Several organizations are using parent partners to help guide parents through the child welfare system and improve case outcomes.

Housing Resources for Families at Risk of Separation

Betsy Gwin

Addressing housing needs for families can help keep them together.

Securing Permanency for Children in Foster Care: The Detroit Center for Family Advocacy's Approach

Aeran N. Baskin

Go inside the Detroit Center for Family Advocacy to see how they pursue permanency for families in the child welfare system.

Protecting a Parent's Right to Counsel in Child Welfare Cases

Vivek S. Sankaran

This article provides a snapshot of the current state of parent representation across the country and recommends steps to take to strengthen this important right.

Representing Parents during Child Welfare Investigations: Precourt Advocacy Strategies

Elizabeth Fassler, Wanjiro Gethaiga

Quality parent representation during the child welfare investigation stage is key to success in the case. Follow these precourt strategies.

Advocacy for Young or Expectant Parents in Foster Care

Lisa Pilnik and Laura Austen

Pregant or parenting teens in foster care face many challenges. Get answers to common questions practitioners face when representing this group.

Maintaining Families When Parents Have Disabilities

Ella Callow

A parent with a disability faces extra challenges. With creative advocacy and accommodations, many parents with disabilities can care for their children.

Cornerstone Advocacy in the First 60 Days: Achieving Safe and Lasting Reunification for Families

Jillian Cohen and Michele Cortese

What happens in the first 60 days of a child welfare cases matters more than ever. Start off right on the path to family reunification with these strategies.

Improving Representation through Practice Standards

Claire S. Chiamulera

Pennsylvania and Washington are at different stages of integrating practice standards for parent attorneys. Learn what's working and what could be improved.