By Franchesca L. Hamilton-Acker, Kellie J. Johnson and Josephine C. Vanderhorst There are multiple layers to the child welfare system. One of these layers is peeled backwhen there is a need to remove a child from his/her parents or caretakers … Read More
Author Archives: Susan Shaffette
Court Appointed Special Advocates: Becoming the “Chance” for Louisiana’s Youth
By Judge (Ret.) Kathleen Stewart Richey Lawyers understand the anxiety associated with going to court. Imagine being 7 years old, removed from your home by a child welfare worker and going to court alone! You are taken to a building … Read More
My Community Cares: Strengthening Families and Supporting Communities
By Michelle R. Gros What do Louisiana judges and attorneys, pots of gumbo, popsicles in parks, medical mobile units, egg hunts, care baskets, block parties, drive-through services and resources, supporting families, foster care and community conversations have in common? My … Read More
ABCs of ACEs
Interviewed by Kellie J. Johnson Caitlin LaVine and H. Clay Walker V are Louisiana educators on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). LaVine is the trauma and resilience strategy lead with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Bureau of Family Health. Walker is … Read More
Using ACEs and TBRI to Implement a Trauma-Informed Courtroom
By Mark Harris, Josephine C. Vanderhorst and Kellie J. Johnson Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined in Louisiana law (R.S. 17:437.2) as “all types of abuse, neglect and other types of traumatic childhood experiences linked to lifelong health and social … Read More
Overview: LSBA Children’s Law Committee Continuing Advocacy for Louisiana’s Future
By Curtis Nelson, Jr., Kellie J. Johnson and Mariarenee Contreras The Children’s Law Committee was created in 2008 as an ad hoc committee at the request of the state Legislative Task Force on Legal Representation in Child Protection Cases. Since … Read More
Understanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment: A Resource Guide for Professionals Referring to Treatment
SUD treatment is dependent on the needs of the individual. The type, length, andintensity of treatment is determined by the severity of the SUD, types of substancesused, support systems available, prior life experiences, and behavioral, physical,gender, cultural, cognitive, and/or social … Read More
Sharing and Accessing Administrative Data: Promising Practices and Lessons Learned from the Child Maltreatment Incidence Data Linkages Project
OPRE Report; 2022-107. Varley, Beth. Wuslin, Claire Smither. Mathematica. United States. Administration for Children and Families. Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation. 2022 Accurate and ongoing surveillance of the incidence of child maltreatment and related risk and protective factors can … Read More
Chosen Affirming Family Finding
This factsheet describes Chosen Affirming Family Finding, an intervention for working with young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other diverse identity and involved with the child welfare system to expand their family network, including chosen family. … Read More
Youth Acceptance Project
United States. Children’s Bureau. Family Builders (Organization) National Quality Improvement Center on Tailored Services, Placement Stability and Permanency for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Two-Spirit Children and Youth in Foster Care. University of Maryland, Baltimore. School of Social Work. … Read More