Registration for the 2025 Judicial Community of Practice (JCoP) Series is now open. JCoP is a monthly, virtual peer-learning opportunity for judicial officers who hear child dependency cases and related family law matters. Registration is limited to Superior Court and Tribal Court judicial officers (i.e., Judges and Court Commissioners). Click the image on the left to register.
Fact-Finding Dependency Practice Tip
The purpose of the fact-finding timeline is to help ensure timely resolution of cases. Check out this Dependency Practice Tip infographic to learn about the importance of timely fact-finding hearings and newly created court codes for tracking exceptional circumstance findings.
In re Dependency of Baby Boy B.
Filed August 29, 2024 Supreme Court: Requires superior courts to hold review hearings every 30 days as long as a child is in shelter care.
In re the Matter of the Dependency of A.H., L.L., and S.O.-W.
Filed August 29, 2024 Supreme Court: Addresses the requirements for seeking appellate review in cases arising under Title 13 RCW.
New Guidance on Harms of Removal to Infants (0-1 years old)
Over the past year, the Harm of Removal Workgroup has been working to create guidance for courts on the likely harms of removal that children experience across the different stages of child development. This document takes an in-depth look at the specific harms that infants (0-1 years old) are likely to experience when removed from their home by child welfare.
In the Matter of the Dependency of Z.A., S.M.A., and S.A.A.
Filed: August 22, 2024 Supreme Court: Regarding the legal standard for out-of-home placement following a finding of dependency, court determinations of dependency and court-ordered services, and cultural and racial bias in dependency proceedings.
Supporting Transitions for Infants & Young Children Practice Tip
Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress instability that accompany forced removal by child welfare. Check out this Dependency Practice Tip infographic to learn how child dependency courts can help ensure smooth transitions and reduce developmental harm.
In Matter of the Welfare of C.J.J.I.
Filed August 22, 2024 Court of Appeals, Div III: Regarding the burden of the State to demonstrate Active Efforts at all hearings where the State is seeking removal or continued out-of-home placement of a child qualifying under ICWA/WICWA.
Clark County Safety Summit
The Clark County Safety Summit is scheduled for January 15, 2025, from 1:00 – 5:00pm. This virtual, cross-system training and action-planning summit is open to all dependency court and system partners. Click to learn more and register.
ABA Article: Being the Change and Seeing the Change
FYJP co-authored an article with OPD and OCLA on cross-system collaboration in Washington State’s dependency court system improvement efforts that was published in the American Bar Association’s Litigation Committee newsletter. This article is dedicated to the memory of our dearly departed friend and colleague Tim Jaasko-Fisher.