Featured Publications

Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Futures: A Judge’s Guide

Research on early brain development highlights how crucial the early years are in the development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This very young population is especially vulnerable to the effects of abuse and neglect that set the stage for their long-term health outcomes.

Produced in collaboration with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Zero to Three National Policy Center, this guide for judges addresses the wide array of health needs of very young children in the child welfare system. By sharing current research on physical health, child development, attachment, infant mental health, and early care and education, the authors provide tools and strategies to help judges promote better outcomes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who enter their courtrooms.

Featured Publications

Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Law: Model State Statutes

This is a unique new ABA publication that provides guidance for policymakers, advocates, attorneys and service providers on how state laws can assist homeless and runaway youth. The laws were developed by experts in the field with input provided during two national conferences. The comprehensive resource provides not only model statutes, but background information and research to provide context for each issue. Additionally, the authors have provided commentary to assist in the implementation of the law. “Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Law: Model State Statutes” is a necessity for any person or agency interested in improving state laws so that these vulnerable youth can find safety, services and stability.

This book was cosponsored by the National Network for Youth and drafted in conjunction with conferences held in June 2008 and January 2009. Jessica Kendall, from the ABA Center on Children and the Law staff, co-authored the section of the publication on Juvenile Status Offenses.

Featured Publications

Child Safety: A Guide for Judges and Attorneys offers a comprehensive approach to child safety decision making. It addresses the fundamentals of safety assessments and safety planning. It is targeted toward judges and others in the legal community but is relevant for agency staff too.

This Guide lays out clear standards or "conditions for return" that must be met before a child can be returned and provides checklists to assist judges in making reunification decisions. Finally, the guide provides assistance to judges on what to consider prior to terminating jurisdiction.

Featured Publications

Advocating for Nonresident Fathers in Child Welfare Court Cases

Federal and state governments are increasingly focusing on father involvement. There has been little focus, however, on how the legal community can better engage nonresident fathers in child welfare cases. This is the first book devoted to representing this population and it is a much needed resource for public defenders' offices and solo practitioners representing parents.

The authors offer practical strategies to lawyers and judges to help them protect father's constitutional rights; advocate for and engage fathers in and out-of-court; overcome barriers to father participation such as child support, incarceration, immigration status, and criminal history; and address unique ethical issues.