Best Practices

Child Welfare Practice Tip Sheets Series

This five-part series was developed for child welfare workers serving families affected by parental substance use disorders (SUDs). The purpose of the tip sheets is to increase knowledge, improve engagement of families, identify opportunities to plan for safety, and highlight … Read More

Enhanced Resource Guidelines

Enhanced Resource Guidelines – Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has announced the release of the Enhanced version of the Resource Guidelines to improve court practice in child abuse and neglect cases, 20 years after the original publication. “The Enhanced Resource Guidelines will serve as the … Read More

Family Treatment Courts Best Practice Standards

Best Practice Standards: Ensuring ‘Equity and Inclusion’ in Family Treatment Courts

The Family Treatment Court Best Practice Standards (BPS) provide local jurisdictions, states, tribes, and funders with clear practice guidance; the goal is to improve outcomes for children, parents, and families affected by SUDs and involved in child welfare. While all … Read More

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REVIEWS: How Judges, Court Administrators and Attorneys Should Be Involved

CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES REVIEWS: How Judges, Court Administrators and Attorneys Should Be Involved  The Children’s Bureau within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families conducts Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) in all States periodically to ensure conformity with Federal child welfare requirements, to gauge … Read More

Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions: Judicial Bench Book

Collateral consequences are legal disabilities imposed by law that result from a criminal conviction. The laws that spawn these collateral consequences can create social and economic barriers for those with criminal convictions. They are known to adversely affect adoptions, housing, … Read More

Collateral Consequences of Criminal Convictions: Judicial Bench Book

Collateral consequences are legal disabilities imposed by law that result from a criminal conviction. The laws that spawn these collateral consequences can create social and economic barriers for those with criminal convictions. They are known to adversely affect adoptions, housing, … Read More