2021 Judicial Academy on Reimagining Justice in Child Welfare and Dependency Court

In 2021 FYJP offered an interactive, virtual judicial training series, “Reimagining Justice in Child Welfare and Dependency Court.”

To make the most of the online venue, the training occurred one day per week over three weeks on the following dates:

• May 24^th (Monday) – 8:30am – 4:30pm
• June 1^st (Tuesday) – 8:30am – 4:30pm
• June 9^th (Wednesday) – 8:30am – 4:30pm

This training was intended for judicial officers and court administrators from Superior Court, the Court of Appeals and Tribal Courts. 

Topics Covered

• Child Safety Inquiry From the Bench – basic and advanced tracks
• Belonging and Othering in Child Welfare – understanding institutional bias and the role of a judicial officer in addressing it
• Using the Science of Hope to Promote Resilience for Families and Professionals
• Making ICWA the Gold Standard – Active Efforts from a tribal perspective, “Reason to Know” requirements and the In re Dependency of Z.J.G. decision
• A Glass Half-Full – Emerging From the Pandemic – resources available to courts and lessons learned to improve access to justice for families
• Making Your Court Trauma-Responsive – opportunities and insights from Dependency and Tribal court efforts to reduce trauma and move toward healing and wellness
• Appellate Court Perspectives on Dependency Issues – a conversation with appellate court commissioners
• And more…

DAY 1 – Monday, May 24,  2021, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Agenda

Agenda-Day 3 CITA Dependency Judicial Training 2021 (w Bios)

The Science of Hope – Building Resilience in Families and Professionals (** materials needed for participation)

Hope Slides – Chan Hellman WA Judicial Training 2021

** Goals Worksheet 2021

Pathways to Goals Fillable

Resources

• Hope Poster 4-17-18
• 2021 Hope Focused Bench Card
• Article – Hope and Resilience are Distinct Contributors to Survivor Well-Being | PACEsConnection
• Examining the longitudinal effects and potential mechanisms of hope on COVID 19 stress anxiety and well being[1]

Safety Framework Basics (** materials needed for participation)

Child Safety Framework Presentation CITA Judicial Training 2021

** Safety Guide Practice Quick Sheets – CITA Version

ABA Child Safety Manual

ABA Child Safety Guide Benchcards

Resources

• Summers Gatowski Gueller Hearing Quality Article 2017
• Article on Implicit Bias in the Court
• 2020 Dependent Children in Washington State: Case Timeliness and Outcomes report 
• Dependency Filings by Race and Ethnicity per County January -December 2020 – Dependency Dashboard created by the Washington State Center for Court Research 

Applying the Safety Framework to Practice (** NOTE: all materials below are needed for participation)

** Initial Shelter Care Hearing

• Dependency Petition CITA Training 2021
• Walkaway Document
• Worksheet – The Initial Shelter Care Hearing

** 30 Day Shelter Care Hearing

• Affidavit of No Change in Circumstances for 30-day SCH
• Worksheet – 30 Day Shelter Care Hearing

** Fact-Finding and Disposition Hearing

• Order of Dependency and Disposition
• SOCIAL WORKER report for Fact-Finding
• Worksheet – Order of Disposition

** Initial Progress Review Hearing

• Initial Progress Review Order
• SOCIAL WORKER report for Initial Progress Review
• Worksheet – Review Hearing

Child Safety Framework – Learning from Practitioners

Response to Court Report – Thurston County

 

DAY 2 – Tuesday, June 1,  2021, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Agenda

Agenda Day 2 CITA Dependency Judicial Training 2021-(w Bios)

The Court as a Space of Belonging – Belonging and Othering in Dependency Court

Belonging and Othering in Dependency Court – The Experience of Indigenous Families, Communities, and Tribes

In re dependency of ZJG

Gold Standard Judicial Practice and Active Efforts – Effective Application of ICWA

Lummi Nation Active Efforts Presentation – CITA Judicial Training 6-1-21

Active Efforts Scenarios

Comprehensive Guide to Active Efforts – Lummi Nation – Published 3-26-21

Resources

• Indian Child Welfare Act Judicial Benchbook – NCJFCJ publication
• Indian Child Welfare Act and Active Efforts: Past and Present (2020) – NCJFCJ publication
• Turtle Talk  – the leading blog on legal issues in Indian Country

Opportunities for Tribal/State Court Collaboration

Resources

• ICWA Courts: A Tool for Improving Outcomes for American Indian Children and Families  – A technical assistance document from the NCJFCJ providing guidance to jurisdictions hoping to enhance their ICWA implementation efforts and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
• Tanam Awaa: Our Community’s Work – A trauma-informed benchbook for tribal justice systems created by the Aleut Community of St. Paul

Appellate Court Issues – A Conversation with the Appellate Bench

CITA CLE Div II reversals

 

DAY 3 – Wednesday, June 9,  2021, 8:30am – 4:30pm

Agenda

Agenda-Day 3 CITA Dependency Judicial Training 2021 (w Bios)

The Power of Keeping Families Connected

Family Time Resources

• 1194-S2.SL – Family Time law
• DCYF Policy 4254 – Family Time and Sibling and Relative Visits
• WA Developmentally Appropriate Family Time Guidance
• The Neglected Transition: Building a Relational Home for Children Entering Foster Care, by Monique B. Mitchell
• 16 0420 – BP-KMM – Amicus Brief (002)
• 91757-4-In re the Welfare of K M M-Motion to Accept Additional Evidence

Parent and Caregiver Connections

• Family Connections Program Brief Overview – Judicial Officer Presentation – presentation slides
• Court report about caregiver and parent communication
• Family Connections | Amara (amarafamily.org) – links to videos
• Family-Connections-Video-Discussion-Guide
• Tools to Build Birth and Foster Parent Relationships – Birth and Foster Parent Partnership, Children’s Trust Fund Alliance
• Building Birth and Foster Parent Relationships to Promote Reunification – national digital dialogue with Katie Biron and Shrounda Selivanoff, hosted by the federal Children’s Bureau 

Emerging from the Pandemic – Support for Children and Youth in School and Transitioning Out of Care

Slides for Educational Stability – CITA Judicial Training 2021 – presentation slides

ABA Education Benchcard -2017 – needed for training exercise

Resources

• DCYF Education Plan Form
• DCYF School Notification Form
• Order Authorization re Health Care and Education

Glass Half Full – What Can We Take Forward from the Pandemic?

CBCC – Conducting+Effective+Remote+Hearings+in+Child+Welfare+Cases

Resuming Dependency Fact Finding and Termination of Parental Rig.._Final new links

Virtual Hearing Practice in Child Welfare Perceptions from the Field

2020 FJCIP Legislative Report

Division 3 case regarding video testimony State v Sweidan

2020 Dependency Case Timeliness and Outcomes Report – Washington State Center for Court Research

Tips for Making Your Court Trauma Responsive

Parent Information – Shelter Care – Thurston Co

Parent Information Flyer – Dependency Cases – Thurston Co