Placement decisions happen fast and are made by the agency - usually without any input from attorneys representing children. The child's placement impacts the case A LOT so we wanted to do a podcast about the things we think about when it comes to placement. It's the agency's job to find a placement right away, but evaluating whether the placement will ultimately facilitate permanency for the child is yours. If reunification seems likely, should the kids be with a couple that wants to adopt? If TPR looks probable, do you let a baby stay in a placement that separates her from her 11 year old ..read more

We talk about work culture and retention a lot in child welfare. Angela talks with Cathy Krebs, Director of the ABA's Children’s Rights Litigation Committee who thinks a new approach to these topics could lead to ways to improve representation. A few of the subjects covered were: Burnout and self-care - Cathy tells a story of a child client who's attorney seemed so distracted and overwhelmed that the child decided not to "burden" the lawyer with what was happening in her life. The need for self-care is real, and doing anything from singing to cooking to meditation has benefit. Mentorship - A ..read more

In this episode, Angela, John and Jim discuss a few key takeaways from 2023.  ..read more

Sometimes you can move a case with legal arguments and procedural tools, but other times, you have to win hearts and minds. In our newest podcast, Jim, John and Angela share how learning to message in this way can help your child client ..read more

John and Angela discuss a tool that can be used to move cases forward - the motion to compel ..read more

In this episode, John, Jim and Angela discuss the cornerstone of their practice philosophy - keeping the focus on the child's number one legal problem ..read more

What information or opportunities do child welfare practitioners miss if assumptions are made about a child’s cultural background, family history, or zip code? Angela interviews Phyllis Stricklan, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Children’s Law Center of California. Phyllis talks about common struggles for children’s attorneys and the need to understand how disproportionality and making assumptions impacts families. “Pause,” Phyllis says - ask questions, and read to effectively challenge experiences and biases. Phyllis recommends the Family Justice Initiative’s Race Equity T ..read more

In this episode, Angela, John and Jim talk about how to handle those difficult cases where you get what you asked for, but it doesn't go as planned ..read more

In this episode, Jim and Angela discuss using case plans to ensure the state agency is preparing your teen client for successful adulthood, rather than just meeting federal requirements for youth aging out of the child welfare system ..read more

This interview starts with Prof. Emma Hetherington explaining why she thinks a huge barrier to effectively serving HT/CSEC populations is that stakeholders don't fully understand what trafficking is. In this powerful podcast, Prof. Hetherington, from the Wilbanks Child Endangerment and Sexual Exploitation Clinic at University of Georgia School of Law (CEASE Clinic), reveals how children's circumstances and behaviors need to be examined differently when exploitation and trafficking issues are involved. She discusses tips for attorneys representing HT/CSEC survivors, screening tools, the harm re ..read more