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Parent Representation

About the Project

The National Project to Improve Representation for Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System strengthens representation of parents in the child welfare system through:

training and technical assistance for parents’ attorneys, courts and legislators
networking opportunities --a listserv and national conference
resources to improve parent representation
system reforms that ensure parents and their attorneys are given a voice

The project is a collaboration between the ABA Center on Children and the Law, Casey Family Programs, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Child Welfare Fund, and the Steering Committee for the National Parents’ Counsel Organization.

For more information, please see

Contact Us: Please direct inquiries to Mimi Laver.

Project Partners: Casey Family Programs | Annie E. Casey Foundation | Child Welfare Fund

Training

The Parent Attorney Project provides on and off site training and technical assistance to:

Teach practicing attorneys how to improve their representation including providing practice tools;
Help a jurisdiction implement Standards of Practice for Parents’ Attorneys;
Make the case to courts and legislators for improving parents’ representation; or
Find ways to include parents and parents’ attorneys in committees and other decision-making coalitions.

For an example of a day-long training for parents’ attorneys click here: Sample Agenda

Training Materials

California Center For Families, Children & the Courts

Written Materials


The materials in this section were developed under the Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues funded by the Children’s Bureau.


		Standards of Practice Parent Standards Passed by House of Delegates - August 2006 Promoting Quality Parent Representation through Standards of Practice


		Tools for Effective Representation Representing Parents in Child Welfare Cases: A Basic Introduction for Attorneys Representing Parents Effectively Post-ASFA Incarcerated Parents: What You Should Know When Handling an Abuse or Neglect Case A Family-Centered Model of Legal Representation For Parents in Child Protection Cases The Crab Fisherman and Children: A Constitutional Compass For the Nonoffending Parent in Child Protection Cases Out of State and Out of Luck: The Treatment of Non-Custodial Parents Under the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children But I Didn't Do Anything Wrong: Revisiting the Rights of Non-Offending Parents in Child Protection Proceedings Procedural Injustice: How the Practices and Procedures of the Child Welfare System Disempower Parents and Why It Matters

Social Science Literature for Advocates Factsheet: The Impact of Visiting Select Cities to Social Science Literature on the Significance of Sibling Attachments as Relevant to Permanency Planning Issues

Listserv

This listserv provides attorneys who represent parents from across the country with a networking opportunity. Share ideas on cases, tools you use with clients, and things you’ve done to improve practice. Members want to know your challenges and success stories.

To join the Parents' Attorneys group: send a message to listserv@mail.abanet.org with "SUBscribe child-parentsattorneys YOUR NAME" in the body of the message.

Useful Links

CLP Articles on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System

This 7-part series offers practical guidance on engaging nonresident fathers in child welfare legal proceeding. For article list, click here.