Court Improvement Program (CIP)

Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance (JCAMP): Quick Start Guide

Developed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges – Capacity Building Center for Judges Measures were developed using the following guiding principles. The measures must The measures were developed through an iterative process with feedback from judges, … Read More

Conceptual Model of Judicial Decision-Making and Hearing Quality in Child Welfare

This new brief presents a conceptual model that shows how aspects of the child welfare court process relate to case outcomes for children and families. This model can help researchers, practitioners, and policymakers better understand the child welfare court process … Read More

Family First Planning & Readiness Toolkit

The Family First Prevention Services Act is a unique opportunity to implement more prevention-oriented and family-centered child welfare systems. The tools in this kit align with the first phase of Family First Implementation: planning and readiness. These Chapin Hall tools … 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

LA Supreme Court

Qualifications and Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Need of Care

Background Since its enactment in 1974, CAPTA has required appointment of a “guardian ad litem” in “every case involving an abused or neglected child which results in a judicial proceeding.” States must meet this requirement, among others, in order to … Read More

Data Sharing: Courts and Child Welfare

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) offers this technical assistance guidance to courts and child welfare agencies to assist and support the creation of automated, bi-directional (two-way) data exchanges between their respective … Read More