THE KIDS AREN’T ALRIGHT: EVERY CHILD SHOULD HAVE AN ATTORNEY IN CHILD WELFARE PRO-CEEDINGS IN FLORIDA

This article was originally published in The Florida Bar Journal Volume 86, number 5, May 2012 and is reprinted with permission of The Florida Bar.

This publication of the Center for the Study of Social Policy examines numerous aspects of the use of class action litigation to achieve systemic reform of child welfare systems of care.

This paper dispels the myths that underlie the harmful practice of cutting off communication between adopted children and their siblings and other relatives.

The ABA Center on Children and the Law published this public policy brief to assist advocates and judges who work with children and youth who are prescribed psychotropic medication

This publication provides information for public child welfare agencies and social workers when working with incarcerated parents and their children.

This booklet informs pregnant and parenting youth in foster care of their Rights and Resources. Published by the National Crittenton Foundation

The National Crittenton Foundation supports girls, young women, and their families living at the margin of the American dream overcome major obstacles rooted in circumstances not of their own making

This handbook provides a wealth of information for relatives who are caring for children. Topics include custody, benefits, education.

Our most recent publication! This booklet covers key issues for youth in out-of-home care: obtaining money, master trust accounts, and special concerns for youth with disabilities.

Children and young adults are entitled to a complete and accurate copy of their child welfare records under Florida Statute 39.00145. This publication explains the law and provides a form to help youth make a formal request for records.

Many young people are discouraged about adoption because they think they’ve missed the change to connect with forever family. But it’s never too late! This brochure explains the Florida law on adult adoptions. The separate appendix provides the documents and forms for adult adoptions.

Florida Practice Guidelines for Lawyers Who Represent Children in Abuse and Neglect Case

Inspired by Florida Youth SHINE, the Dept. of Children and Families issued this publication to inform children and youth of their rights while in state care or shelter care.

This Guide for Judges, Lawyers, and Child Advocates provides critical information on immigration issues faced by children who were abused, abandoned, or neglected. Written by Wendi J. Adelson in collaboration with the Immigrant Children’s Legal Services Partnership and the Children and Youth Law Clinic of the University of Miami School of Law. June 2010. Click […]

State and Local Child Abuse Death Review Teams began working in 2000 to learn from the deaths of children. The teams conduct detailed reviews of the facts and circumstances surrounding child abuse and neglect deaths in which a verified report of abuse or neglect was accepted by the Florida Abuse Hotline within the Department of Children and Family Services.

This publication is intended to help youth understand the dependency court system. It answers youth’s most common questions about being placed into state care, describes all of the pertinent players, defines key terms and discusses the types of hearings that take place in dependency court. By the ABA Bar Youth Empowerment Project with Florida’s Children First. 2008

The Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association (FSFAPA) is a statewide membership group for all foster and adoptive parents in Florida. All foster and adoptive parents in the State of Florida are automatically members of FSFAPA

The only national organization which strives to support foster parents and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children.

CAPTA -key federal child welfare statute.

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/laws/public_law/pdf/pl105_89.pdf

The Florida Guardian ad Litem State Association is a Non-Profit organization, whose mission is to improve the lives of abused and neglected children in Florida, by promoting the development, expansion and improvement of Guardian ad Litem Programs statewide.

CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA was created to use trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court. Today more than 900 CASA programs are in operation, with 70,000 women and men serving as CASA volunteers.

Some states have chosen to create ombudsman offices or offices of the child advocate to assist in providing oversight of children’s services. Information hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators.

The Center’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children through advancements in law, justice, and public policy.

This publication sets forth 8 goals for youth in foster care along with benchmarks for each goal that will indicate progress for educational success. By the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education.

The purpose of this paper is to assist local school districts, agencies and those agencies under contract with the Department of Education (DOE), that provide education services to students with disabilities in the implementation of the surrogate parent rule. (January 2004) Technical Assistance Paper on Educational Surrogate Parents

FCAA’s mission is to “connect the alumni community and to transform policy and practice, ensuring opportunity for people in and from foster care.”

Report on the creation and implementation of local agreements between foster care agencies and school boards. Issued by Florida’s Children First and the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic in July, 2007.