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Scales of Justice

National Child Welfare Resource Center on
Legal and Judicial Issues

A Service of the Children's Bureau

Discussion Groups

Child Abuse and Neglect Case Listserv

Purpose: To help attorneys and judges better handle litigation issues in civil and criminal child abuse and neglect and related cases. Shares legal precedents, tactical concerns, and practical solutions to specific litigation issues.

Membership: Attorneys and judges ONLY

Sample topics:

  • evidentiary issues
  • interpreting
  • applying state and federal laws
  • proving or defending specific allegations (e.g., sexual or physical abuse)
  • case law
  • literature that is useful to attorneys and judges in the field
  • upcoming conferences, trainings, and meetings

Court Improvement Listserv

Purpose: To improve the court process in child abuse and neglect cases and related proceedings. This forum supports the national Court Improvement Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.

Membership: Organizations and individuals working to improve courts' handling of these cases.

Foster Care and Education Listserv

Purpose: To discuss and exchange information on improving educational opportunities and outcomes for youth in foster care, homeless youth, and others, nationally and within states.

Membership: Attorneys, judges, organizations, child advocates, school personnel, and others working on behalf of such youth.

Sample topics:

  • federal and state laws
  • trainings
  • summits
  • research

Parents' Attorneys Listserv

Purpose: Provides attorneys who represent parents from across the country with a networking opportunity to share ideas on cases, tools you use with clients, and things you’ve done to improve practice. Members are encouraged to share challenges and success stories.

Membership: Organizations and individuals working to improve legal representation of parents in child welfare.