Justice for Children

Trial Notebook

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 15:22:33 GMT

Attached is the most recent version of the Trial Notebook for Child Welfare Attorneys in Georgia's Juvenile Court Deprivation Cases. Also attached are copies of Georgia's border agreements, which are part of the notebook.

Adult Adoptions

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 19:27:12 GMT

I have attached information about adult adoptions that is specific to Georgia, including forms and instructions to guide pro se petitioners. The information also contains statutory information from other states that will guide attorneys or pro se petitioners how to modify the forms for their own jurisdiction.

Providers and Cold Case Mtg-8.24.2012

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:03:24 GMT

On 8.24.2012, ~90 foster care providers, government officials, Casey Family Program staff and cold case staff began a conversation. J4C staff will be posting relevant information in regard to that conversation on this board.

Critical Issues Facing Special needs and At-Risk Children

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:26:24 GMT

The last two installments of the 2011-2012 Seminar Series on Critical Issues Facing Special Needs and At-Risk Children are scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2012 and Monday, April 9, 2012.

All seminars begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m, and take place at the State Bar. All are approved for 4 CLE hours.

Seminar information is attached.

Protecting Young Children From Abuse

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:55:02 GMT

I have experienced first hand a failure of the system to protect young children from abuse and even worse their delivery into the hands of the abuser. I'm searching for a way to use this experience to help not only my children, but all who are ignored because of their age. At every turn of this ordeal the focus was centered on creating enough doubt to err on the side of the dad instead of implementing reasonable safeguards for the children. The cycle will not be broken as long as the system fails in this area. My son is clinging to God and looking forward to the day he can tell his story when he's older and use it to help other children. We know that God will use our pain and struggles to help others. Any advice for advocacy in this area is appreciated.

2011 Youth Law Conference

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:07:39 GMT

The 2011 Youth Law Conference will take place November 9-11, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia Hotel.

To register, click here: http://www.gaccchildlaw.org

The conference schedule is attached.

New Georgia ILP Website

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:57:24 GMT

Hey - be sure to check out the new Georgia ILP Website - it has a lot of great resources!!

http://www.georgiailp.org

Forms - Adult Adoption

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:52:38 GMT

It's never too late for permanency!! Adult adoptions are very simple compared to the adoption of a minor. Attached are forms that pro se litigants can use to seek an adult adoption. Because it is all by consent, there is no waiting period.

Placement Stability Project

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:36:06 GMT

We are currently working with the Office of the Child Advocate on a project concerning placement stability and compliance with the Georgia statute dealing with that subject, which can be found at O.C.G.A. Section 15-11-55 (d).

(d) The policy of this state is that children in the custody of the Division of Family and Children Services should have stable placements. Not less than five days in advance of any placement change, the division shall notify the court, a child who is 14 years of age or older, the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian, and any attorney of record of such change in the location of the child's placement while the child is in the division's custody; provided, however, that if the child's health or welfare may be endangered by any delay in changing the child's placement, only the court and any attorney of record shall be notified of such placement change within 24 hours of such change. A child who is 14 years of age or older, the child's parents, guardian, or other custodian, and any attorney of record may request a hearing with regard to the child's case plan or the permanency plan in order for the court to consider the change in the location of the child's placement and any changes to the case plan or permanency plan resulting from the child's change in placement location. Such hearing shall be held within five days of receiving notice of a change in the location of the child's placement and prior to any such placement change, unless the child's health or welfare may be endangered by any delay in changing the child's placement. At the hearing to consider the child's case plan and permanency plan, the court shall consider the case plan and permanency plan recommendations made by the division, including a recommendation as to the location of the placement of the child, and shall make findings of fact upon which the court relied in determining to reject or accept the case plan or permanency plan and the recommendations made by the division, including the location of the child's placement. If the court rejects the recommendations of the division, the court shall demonstrate that the division's recommendations were considered and explain why it did not follow the recommendations. If the court rejects the division's case plan and permanency plan recommendations, including the change in the location of the placement of the child, the court may order the division to devise a new case plan and permanency plan recommendation, including a new recommendation as to the location of the child within the resources of the department, or make any other order relative to placement or custody outside the Department of Human Services as the court finds to be in the best interest of the child and consistent with this subsection. Placement or a change of legal custody by the court outside the Department of Human Services shall relieve the department of further responsibility for the child so placed.

Attached is a very brief powerpoint presentation highlighting the areas of concern.

News on our next summit!

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:03:08 GMT

Please click to see the article: http://www.thepostsearchlight.com/2011/07/18/summit-on-neglected-children-thursday/

Georgia Trial Skills Training 2011 - Direct and Cross Examination

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:49:18 GMT

Second Annual Child Welfare Attorney Trial Skills Training at John Marshall Law School, July 8-9, 2011

(Please pass this on to other Georgia attorneys practicing in child welfare who may be interested in participating in this training.)

APPLY NOW - Application Deadline extended to June 13!

The Second Annual Child Welfare Trial Skills Training, a Georgia specific, “learning-by-doing” trial techniques training, will be held July 8-9, 2011, at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. The Training focuses specifically on TRIAL SKILLS and is not a substantive law seminar. This year’s training will concentrate on direct and cross examination, including such related issues as the introduction of evidence, tendering experts, making objections, and more. Enrollment is limited to 50 attorneys. A waitlist will be employed to ensure an optimal faculty-student ratio.

We are developing a dynamic agenda offering a full year’s MCLE credit (12 MCLE hours, including 1 ethics hour, 6 trial practice hours and 1 professionalism hour). To receive CLE credit, participants will be required to pay the Bar $5 per hour claimed ($15 per hour for Professionalism). The training will include a fact pattern and the evidentiary section of a mock trial based on deprivation case scenarios and Georgia law. Portions of the training take place in a simulated courtroom setting and students will receive faculty critique and video review. While the training will employ the NITA method of operation for teaching the students, the training is not a NITA-sponsored training.

Confirmed sponsors of the program are the Supreme Court of Georgia Committee on Justice for Children, the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts, the Georgia Association of Counsel for Children, the Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council and the Parent Attorney Advocacy Committee.

Scholarships are available for a limited number of attorneys meeting certain criteria. Contact cwtrialtechniques@gmail.com for application and scholarship information. The application and scholarship deadline has been extended to June 13.

No payment is due with your application form. Registration forms and further instructions will be emailed to the first 50 accepted applicants and a waitlist will be maintained. Registration Fee: $100 per person for groups of 5 or more, $150 individual registration.

All participants must commit to attend the entire training. Program materials will be provided to all participants in advance of the training. All participants must read the program materials before the training. If you are uncertain about your availability or ability to prepare, please do not apply to attend.

Deprivation and Delinquency Mediation Rules and Requirements

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 18:33:26 GMT

Please see the attached documents concerning juvenile mediation in Georgia.

These documents are posted for comments and suggestions. Here is the original e-mail, and there is a letter of explanation attached to this post with the proposed amendments.

We are looking to receive all comments and feedback on the drafts by July 1, 2011. All comments can be emailed to me at Lynn.Goldman@Fultoncountyga.gov or faxed to me at 404-224-1026.

Thank you for you help with this.

Lynn Goldman Esq.

Deprivation Mediation Program Coordinator

Fulton County Juvenile Court

O: 404-613-4450

C: 404-275-9678

Articles and Papers of Note

Mon, 16 May 2011 16:00:53 GMT

Here is an article on "Danny," one of our Cold Case children, written by Aver Oliver and Michelle Barclay.

http://jjie.org/michelle-barclay-aver-oliver-on-story-of-danny/14296

Court Improvement Initiative

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:07:54 GMT

Attached are documents from Georgia's Court Improvement Initiative meeting Feb. 2011

Permanency Counseling Training

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 07:20:40 GMT

The Permanency Counseling Training provided by Sue Hoag Badeau of Casey Family Services on December 6, 2010 is now available on our web site at the "Webcast" tab or under "Available Webcasts" on the side menu.

The Training is available in 6 separate parts, which total approximately 3.5 hours.

Please follow this link to get there: http://bit.ly/goy41y