July 15, 2026
You Can Help Adoptions Succeed by Spotting Issues Early
Speakers: C. Christine Smith & Susan Meisel Levin
Everyone involved in a TPR case can have a positive effect on the long-term success of the adoption by spotting and addressing potential issues prior to finalization. As child welfare professionals and volunteers you have the knowledge and ability to help foresee future concerns. Prospective adoptive parents on the other hand, don’t know what they don’t know. They are excited to finalize and close the dependency chapter of their lives. But closing prematurely can be detrimental in the long run. This training will provide practical knowledge and tools that you can use to assist in a smooth adoption process and prevent post-adoption issues before they arise.
CLE Credits: 2.0 general Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law & 2.0 Adoption Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
August 19, 2026
Independent Living Benefits
Speaker: Robin Rosenberg
CLE Credits: TBA Certification Credits: TBA
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
September 16, 2026
Early Identification and Interventions for Childhood Disabilities
Speaker: Ericka S. Herring
CLE Credits: TBA Certification Credits: TBA
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
RECORDINGS OF PREVIOUS TRAININGS
June 17, 2026
Preserve & Protect the Dependency Record for Appeals
Speaker: Dayna Maeder
Every dependency case is one adverse ruling away from an appeal. This 1.5-hour CLE arms Florida dependency practitioners with the tools to build a trial-level record that supports their litigation on review. Learn the standards of review that drive every appellate decision, the mechanics of objections and proffers that actually preserve issues, when to seek interlocutory review versus waiting for a final order, and the practical tools that bridge trial work and appellate strategy. Join us to leave with an appellate-mindset that turns strong trial advocacy into stronger appeals.
CLE Credits: 2.0 General Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law & 2.0 Appellate Practice
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
May 20, 2026
Supporting Youth at 18:
Understanding Decision-Making Option
Speakers: Ericka S. Herring & Beth K. Roland
Turning 18 is a big milestone—and for some youth, it comes with important legal and decision-making changes. This engaging training will help you understand options such as Guardianship, Guardian Advocacy, and Supported Decision-Making. Learn how to identify youth who may need additional support, understand the differences between these options, and make informed, person-centered recommendations that balance independence and protection. Join us to gain the tools you need to better support young adults in their transition to adulthood.
CLE Credits: 2.0 General Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
April 15, 2026
Protecting the Rights of the Accused
Child in Care: Whose Job is it?
Speaker: Janine Rice
Children in care have the exact same constitutional rights as children who live with their parents. This includes the constitutional rights which protect them during a criminal/delinquency investigation but before their first appearance before a judicial officer, when a public defender is appointed. By attending and participating in this 1.5 credit hour Florida CLE, you will learn what those rights are, how they are asserted, and how adults whose job it is to protect and care for all children in care can protect the rights of the accused child in care.
CLE Credits: 1.5 General Certification Credits: 1.5 Juvenile Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
March 18, 2026
Disability Application Basics for Children & Youth
Speakers: Ericka S. Herring & Patricia Alten
Join us for an engaging and informative training designed to deepen your understanding of Disability Applications – what they are, why they matter, how to identify children and young adults in need of a social security application, and most importantly, the process to applying and obtaining this critical benefit for those in need. If an adverse decision requires an appeal, what are the beginning steps? If the child/youth is determined eligible, what’s the next step there?
CLE Credits: 1.5 General Certification Credits: 1.5 Juvenile Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
February 18, 2026
Enforcement of Children’s Rights
Speaker: C. Christine Smith
Knowledge is power. Florida has great laws to protect the rights of children in the child welfare system! Unfortunately, children and the adults who work with them don’t always know about these rights. This training is a follow-up to our September 2025 training: Children’s Rights: Transitions, Money, Normalcy, Siblings (available on the Florida Legal Services YouTube channel). This session will review some important laws and give a brief overview of commonly overlooked rights. It will then focus on providing nuts-and-bolts guidance on how to enforce those rights.
CLE Credits: 2.0 General
Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law, 2.0 Appellate Practice, 2.0 Civil Trial
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
January 21, 2026
Emancipation: of Children: Is Freedom Easy?
Speaker: Janine Rice
Many of us have been told by our clients “I want to be emancipated.” But often the reality does not meet expectations, whether those of our teenage clients, the adults who want to escape responsibility legally, or just society at large. By attending and participating in this 1.5 credit hour Florida CLE, you will learn what emancipation is, when the facts support it, whether other strategies can accomplish the same goals, and the “nuts and bolts” of the legal proceeding.
CLE Credits: 2.0 General Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
December 17, 2026
Follow the Money – Master Trust for Child Welfare Children & Youth
Speaker: Robin Rosenberg
What happens to the funds that children in state care receive as Social Security, Veterans, or other benefits? Who does the money belong to, and how can it be spent? This webinar will talk about where the money comes from, where it goes, and how to make sure it’s saved and spent to meet the needs of children and youth. We’ll also look at income from allowance and employment.
CLE Credits: 1.5 General Certification Credits: 1.5 Juvenile Law
November 19, 2025
The ABC’s of the Comprehensive Behavioral HealthAssessments
(CBHAs)
Speaker: Ericka S. Herring
Join us for an engaging and informative training designed to deepen your understanding of CBHAs—what they are, why they matter, and most importantly, how to turn those recommendations into action. This session will walk you through the legal foundations of CBHAs, discuss the current guiding documents, and provide a practical, step-by-step look at the referral, preparation and implementation process.
CLE Credits: 2.0 General/2.0 Mental Health & Wellness Certification Credits: 2.0 Juvenile Law
Produced in partnership between the Florida Legal Services, Florida’s Children First, and the Public Interest Law Section (PILS) of the Florida Bar!
October 15, 2025
Let the Sunshine In: Bringing the Hidden Foster Care System Into the Light
Speaker: Janine Rice
Have you seen the term “hidden foster care” and wondered what it meant? Or maybe you know what it means but wonder what you can do about it? This session explains what the term means, and the benefits and consequences that flow from “hidden foster care.” You’ll learn how to empower clients and their families with that knowledge, so that they can make informed decisions about their family.
CLE Credits: 1.0 General Certification Credits: 1.0 Juvenile Law
September 17, 2025
Children’s Rights: Transitions, Money, Normalcy, Siblings
Speaker: C. Christine Smith
This training will cover the rights of children and youth in the child welfare system, as established by the legislature to ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being. The training will outline the specific rights granted to children in out-of-home care, such as the right to a safe and stable living environment, access to education and healthcare, participation in age-appropriate activities, and involvement in case planning. It will also emphasize the responsibilities of child welfare professionals to uphold and advocate for these rights, ensure youth are informed of them, and support their voice in decisions affecting their lives. The training includes real-world scenarios, compliance expectations, and best practices to help professionals apply F.S. 39.4085 effectively in their work.
