ABA Center on Children and the Law

06/14/2021

Meet reunification Hero, Jamison Tessneer! Mr. Tessneer has spent his entire legal career advocating for parents in court as a public defender. “He brings it all every time he goes to court. He leans into discomfort on behalf of the parents.” https://tinyurl.com/yey8b85y

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities here https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

Meet reunification Hero, Jamison Tessneer! Mr. Tessneer has spent his entire legal career advocating for parents in court as a public defender. “He brings it all every time he goes to court. He leans into discomfort on behalf of the parents.” https://tinyurl.com/yey8b85y

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities here https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

06/14/2021

www.americanbar.org

Through S.1927, the Senate HELP Committee has called for legal representation for all children and parents in child welfare cases. The ABA commends all Committee Members, Chairwoman Murray and Ranking Member Burr for their work on this important topic. http://ow.ly/UW8v50F8FVr

06/11/2021

Meet reunification Hero, Dana Brandon! Ms. Brandon’s “commitment to bringing families together and her trauma-informed, client-centered, and experienced-based knowledge make her a role model” in family reunification advocacy. https://tinyurl.com/yvvk7tz2

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities here https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

Meet reunification Hero, Dana Brandon! Ms. Brandon’s “commitment to bringing families together and her trauma-informed, client-centered, and experienced-based knowledge make her a role model” in family reunification advocacy. https://tinyurl.com/yvvk7tz2

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities here https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

06/11/2021

Meet reunification Hero Jey Rajaraman, the chief counsel and supervising attorney of Legal Services of New Jersey’s Family Representation Project. Jey is passionate about families and is the person behind New Jersey’s celebration of Unification Month which honors families who have successfully prevented removal or been reunified with their children after involvement with the Child Protection Agency. https://tinyurl.com/pa6h5dhc

For more reunification information, please visit the National Reunification Month website https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

Meet reunification Hero Jey Rajaraman, the chief counsel and supervising attorney of Legal Services of New Jersey’s Family Representation Project. Jey is passionate about families and is the person behind New Jersey’s celebration of Unification Month which honors families who have successfully prevented removal or been reunified with their children after involvement with the Child Protection Agency. https://tinyurl.com/pa6h5dhc

For more reunification information, please visit the National Reunification Month website https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

06/08/2021

Meet reunification Hero Keely Tackett, who fought courageously for reunification with her son for nearly ten years. Ms. Tackett “held firm in her conviction that her son needed and deserved his mother and family” through two separate and successful appeals to the Indiana Court of Appeals. “In the few short months since the latest appeal, Keely and her son have reunited, reconnected, and reunified as a family.” https://tinyurl.com/23vknvcs

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities: https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

Meet reunification Hero Keely Tackett, who fought courageously for reunification with her son for nearly ten years. Ms. Tackett “held firm in her conviction that her son needed and deserved his mother and family” through two separate and successful appeals to the Indiana Court of Appeals. “In the few short months since the latest appeal, Keely and her son have reunited, reconnected, and reunified as a family.” https://tinyurl.com/23vknvcs

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities: https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

06/03/2021

www.americanbar.org

See how Georgia is celebrating National Reunification Month with a calendar of events and reminders to celebrate parents and families who have reunified https://tinyurl.com/yu98dyhn

Visit the National Reunification Month Website to see how other states are celebrating National Reunification Month https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth #ALLINforReunification2021

06/02/2021

A shift in child welfare is strengthening the relationship between parents and resource parents so they support one another and work together towards family reunification when that is the goal. This new Judge's Action Alert highlights how parent–resource parent partnerships support family reunification, elements of successful parent–resource parent partnerships, how parent partners bridge the gap between parents and resource parents, and how judges can support these partnerships. Developed by the Center with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Read the alert: http://ow.ly/ZUZx50F1xVb

More Judge's Action Alerts: http://ow.ly/FQot50F1xVd

Learn more about National Reunification Month: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/project-areas/national-reunification-month/

#NationalReunificationMonth #family #reunification #childwelfare #courts #judges

A shift in child welfare is strengthening the relationship between parents and resource parents so they support one another and work together towards family reunification when that is the goal. This new Judge's Action Alert highlights how parent–resource parent partnerships support family reunification, elements of successful parent–resource parent partnerships, how parent partners bridge the gap between parents and resource parents, and how judges can support these partnerships. Developed by the Center with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Read the alert: http://ow.ly/ZUZx50F1xVb

More Judge's Action Alerts: http://ow.ly/FQot50F1xVd

Learn more about National Reunification Month: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/project-areas/national-reunification-month/

#NationalReunificationMonth #family #reunification #childwelfare #courts #judges

06/01/2021

Meet reunification Hero Erin Thomas, a mentor and advocate for her peers who has “put forth her time, energy, and heart to contribute to the process of creating an effective and sustainable system that focuses on reunification efforts, substance use treatment, peer support and mental health services.” Ms. Thomas has used her own experience to “reach out to others going through the same process and offer some much-needed hope.”
https://tinyurl.com/ckewc65x

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities: https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

Meet reunification Hero Erin Thomas, a mentor and advocate for her peers who has “put forth her time, energy, and heart to contribute to the process of creating an effective and sustainable system that focuses on reunification efforts, substance use treatment, peer support and mental health services.” Ms. Thomas has used her own experience to “reach out to others going through the same process and offer some much-needed hope.”
https://tinyurl.com/ckewc65x

Learn more about National Reunification Month activities: https://tinyurl.com/jybyehfs

#NationalReunificationMonth

06/01/2021

Children's Bureau Express

June is National Reunification Month! Check out Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg's message launching a celebration of reunification and calling for "respect for the special place that family holds in each of our lives." http://ow.ly/LRDd50F0riP

Children's Bureau Express (CBX) covers news, issues, and trends of interest to professionals and policymakers in the interrelated fields of child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption.

06/01/2021

Webinar: What Makes a Good Hearing? Understanding the Role of Court and Legal Professionals in Improving Hearing Quality and Judicial Decision-Making

Webinar recording now available: “What Makes a Good Hearing? Understanding the Role of Attorneys in Improving Hearing Quality and Judicial Decision-making.” Join @abaccl @JBANews & @OPRE.ACF to learn about research on hearing quality and judicial decision making in child welfare cases. Find out how to use the research to build an evidence base and improve courtroom practice. Webinar recording: http://ow.ly/G0T350EY62c
#childwelfare #courts #attorneys #judges #courtimprovement #hearingquality #research

This webinar discusses research examining judicial decision-making and hearing quality in child welfare court cases and why court and legal professionals should be aware of research findings.

05/28/2021

New Resource: This brief highlights policy implications of court decisions in child welfare cases involving prenatal substance use. It shares key legal issues courts have addressed, relevant cases, key takeaways for the field, and policy considerations. Developed by the Center with the Quality Improvement Center for Collaborative Community Court Teams.
http://ow.ly/TanQ50EXUzi

Related: http://ow.ly/ms9c50EXUNN

New Resource: This brief highlights policy implications of court decisions in child welfare cases involving prenatal substance use. It shares key legal issues courts have addressed, relevant cases, key takeaways for the field, and policy considerations. Developed by the Center with the Quality Improvement Center for Collaborative Community Court Teams.
http://ow.ly/TanQ50EXUzi

Related: http://ow.ly/ms9c50EXUNN

05/24/2021

National Association of Counsel For Children - Constituent (Youth) Engagement Survey - National Association of Counsel For Children

Effective reform of youth legal systems is impossible without the leadership of individuals who have experienced those systems as children and youth. Thank you, @NACCchildlaw for launching a children's law survey on topic due 5/26. https://www.naccchildlaw.org/surveys/?id=1595260. http://ow.ly/ZoOx50EU9rb

Welcome to the NACC. We work to advance the rights, well-being, and opportunities of children impacted by the child welfare system through access to high quality legal representation.

05/19/2021

The National Parent Representation Conference Virtual Convening starts tomorrow! Over 1000 participants have registered! We're excited to learn and share with you. Join us: https://cvent.me/xkGv5q #parentrep21

The National Parent Representation Conference Virtual Convening starts tomorrow! Over 1000 participants have registered! We're excited to learn and share with you. Join us: https://cvent.me/xkGv5q #parentrep21

05/19/2021

Trauma-Informed Resource for Prosecution Involving Juveniles

We're pleased to share a new resource for #prosecutors who work with youth who have experienced #trauma. Check out this National Child Traumatic Stress Network guide for guidance on implementing a trauma-informed approach to prosecution. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/trauma-informed-resource-for-prosecution-involving-juveniles

Provides prosecution attorneys with knowledge about a trauma-informed approach to prosecution.

05/04/2021

May is National Foster Care Month! With many children and youth facing increased isolation over the past year, it is more important than ever for communities to work together to establish meaningful connections for children and youth in care. Learn more. #NFCM2021 #FosterCareMonth https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth

May is National Foster Care Month! With many children and youth facing increased isolation over the past year, it is more important than ever for communities to work together to establish meaningful connections for children and youth in care. Learn more. #NFCM2021 #FosterCareMonth https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth

04/28/2021

Families Over Facilities: Ending the Use of Harmful and Unnecessary Institutions and Other Group Facilities in Child Welfare Systems - Children's Rights

Institutional Child Abuse: What is it and how can we prevent it? Join the ABA for a national webinar 4/29 featuring Children's Rights recent publication Families over Facilities along with experts on the Troubled Teen Industry and the Elimination of Child Restraint and Seclusion in schools and facilities; http://ow.ly/uZBh50EzSKs. Register now to participate tomorrow from 1-2:30 ET http://ow.ly/Mpfl50EzSKt

Families Over Facilities: Ending the Use of Harmful and Unnecessary Institutions and Other Group Facilities in Child Welfare Systems Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin Envelope Access your report Families Over Facilities: Ending the Use of Harmful and Unnecessary Institutions and Other Group Facilities in....

04/28/2021

Institutional Child abuse: What is it and how can we prevent it?

Institutional Child abuse: What is it and how can we prevent it? Join the ABA for a national webinar tomorrow, 3/29 from 1-2:30 ET with Breaking Code Silence Children's Rights, Maia Szalavitz, and the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint. Register now to participate live. http://ow.ly/zeqQ50EzRvn

The ABA and our guest speakers Maia Szalavitz and Guy Stephens will explore institutional child abuse within and around the Troubled Teen Industry.

04/22/2021

Family time, also referred to as parent-child visits, is one of the most important services offered to families in the child welfare system. This new Judge's Action Alert, produced with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, highlights how the legal community is using remote family time during the pandemic, its benefits and drawbacks, keys to effective remote family time, and how judges can support its use. http://ow.ly/d87D50Ev9QK

More Judge's Action Alerts: http://ow.ly/i59a50Ev9Yf

Family time, also referred to as parent-child visits, is one of the most important services offered to families in the child welfare system. This new Judge's Action Alert, produced with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, highlights how the legal community is using remote family time during the pandemic, its benefits and drawbacks, keys to effective remote family time, and how judges can support its use. http://ow.ly/d87D50Ev9QK

More Judge's Action Alerts: http://ow.ly/i59a50Ev9Yf

04/15/2021

www.courts.wa.gov

In a win for children’s right to counsel, the Washington Supreme Court held today that privately retained attorneys for children in dependency cases do not need to be appointed by the court. The attorney’s authority to represent a child depends on whether an attorney-client relationship has formed. A concurring opinion stressed that all children should have a constitutional right to counsel. #childadvocacy #rightocounsel #childrensrights

04/05/2021

Iowa’s Child Welfare Plan approved by Feds

Iowa received federal approval for its Family First Prevention Services Act plan, which builds on existing reductions in the number of children removed from their families in every part of the state. http://ow.ly/FAHT50EgOSz; For FFPSA implementation tools https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/resources/family-first-act-resources/

Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services approved Iowa’s Family First Prevention Services Act plan. Family First is a federal law that changes the direction of child welfare services across America. Iowa is the 11th state in the nation to receive approval for its prevention servi...

04/01/2021

Unaccompanied Children at the Border: Get the Facts from the Experts

"Unaccompanied Children at the Border: Get the Facts from the Experts". The ABA Commission on Immigration and Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice are hosting a free webinar Friday, April 9 at 12 ET. To see the speaker list and register: http://ow.ly/EMqF50EeLdd

This webinar discusses the recent influx of unaccompanied children at the border and how the U.S. government is receiving them.

03/31/2021

National Parent Representation Conference Update: Here's a sneak peek at our amazing list of plenary speakers. We'll hear from:
- Acting Assistant Secretary Joo Chang, Administration for Children and Families;
- Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg, Children's Bureau;
- Professor Martin Guggenheim, New York University School of Law;
- Professor Dorothy Roberts, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law;
- Washington State Supreme Court Justice Montoya-Lewis; and
- Dr. Tricia Stephens, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (City University of New York).

Please join us! Register today: https://cvent.me/xkGv5q

National Parent Representation Conference Update: Here's a sneak peek at our amazing list of plenary speakers. We'll hear from:
- Acting Assistant Secretary Joo Chang, Administration for Children and Families;
- Associate Commissioner Aysha Schomburg, Children's Bureau;
- Professor Martin Guggenheim, New York University School of Law;
- Professor Dorothy Roberts, University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law;
- Washington State Supreme Court Justice Montoya-Lewis; and
- Dr. Tricia Stephens, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College (City University of New York).

Please join us! Register today: https://cvent.me/xkGv5q