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Scales of Justice

National Child Welfare Resource Center on
Legal and Judicial Issues

A Service of the Children's Bureau

The National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues is dedicated to achieving safety, permanence and well-being for abused and neglected children through improving law and legal practice.

The Resource Center provides consultation, training, and technical assistance on all legal and judicial aspects of the child welfare system, including federal law, court improvement, agency and court collaboration, permanency planning, legal representation, and other emerging child welfare issues. The Resource Center, funded by the Children’s Bureau, is comprised of the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, the National Center for State Courts, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

In the News

New Publication!

Child Safety: A Guide for Judges and Attorneys

It 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. Learn More >>


Powerpoint presentation by Stephen Pennypacker, Esq. president elect to AAICPC. Given at CIP Day August 3, 2009. Highlights Florida’s electronic ICPC processing system.”

Child CourtWorks

New Child CourtWorks Newsletters are available here .

Court Improvement Catalog

New updates have been added to the online court improvement catalog.