In a December 4, 2020, Letter to the Field – Ensuring the Continuation of Critical Court Hearings, the federal Children’s Bureau urges courts and child welfare agencies to continue working together to ensure that access to justice continues and that critical judicial oversight occur in child welfare proceedings during these difficult times.
Addressing Trauma Exposure for Attorneys – ABA Webinar
RECORDED WEBINAR – Child welfare attorneys are regularly exposed to and interacting with trauma. This webinar, from the ABA, covers how to identify and address trauma exposure responses, including practical steps legal organizations and attorneys can take to mitigate the impact of trauma, so that attorneys are able to provide high-quality legal representation and be the best advocates for their clients.
Building Family Partnerships Town Hall – December 9, 2020
UPCOMING EVENT The Washington State Building Family Partnerships planning group and the Casey Family Foundation are hosting statewide virtual town hall discussions on December 9, 2020. The event will include a discussion about the benefits that children experience when parents and caregivers work together, as well as ideas for how these adults can be supported to build relationships.
Incarcerated Parents’ Access to Virtual Dependency Hearings
The Department of Corrections is now providing mandatory virtual participation in child-dependency court hearings for incarcerated parents to ensure access when in-person participation is unsafe due to the pandemic. Current policy and procedures are provided in a DOC memo.
Making Reasonable Efforts Findings in a Pandemic – NCJFCJ Webinar
WEBINAR The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) hosted a webinar on Making Reasonable Efforts Findings in a Pandemic. Taught by NCJFCJ Past President Judge R. Michael Key, the webinar and related materials help juvenile and family court participants understand the importance of examining reasonable efforts during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Engaging and Empowering Parents – the Parents for Parents Program
WEBINAR Parents for Parents and the Court Improvement Training Academy hosted a webinar on engaging and empowering parents in the dependency court system. Recorded on October 30, 2020.
Key Considerations for Virtual Hearings
This brief from Casey Family Programs summarizes key considerations — potential benefits and potential concerns — for courts utilizing virtual hearings. The pandemic has provided a rare opportunity to rapidly redesign the court process, and virtual hearings will likely continue, in some fashion, post-COVID-19.
Indigenous Children, Youth and Family Conference Sessions
CONFERENCE SESSIONS In August 2020, the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence and DCYF’s Office of Tribal Relations co-hosted the Indigenous Children, Youth and Families Conference to learn and share ideas around Indigenous family wellness. CITA was happy to partner with this effort and provide support for the legal sessions addressing the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and its application in Washington State.
Back to School Advocacy for Youth in Care – COVID-19 Edition
WEBINAR – Watch a CITA-hosted webinar that covers the law, resources and tips to ensure that children in care start the 2020 school year ready and supported to learn. COVID-19 resources and advocacy strategies are specifically addressed. A helpful handout and other resources are provided. Recorded 8/26/20.