Dependency Resources

The resources in this section include various publications and media produced by CFCC staff; and links to useful websites for practitioners and persons interested in juvenile dependency including the California Dependency Online Guide (CalDOG website) and the Dependency Quick Guide (Dog Book).

Publications

Court Adoption and Permanency Resource Guide
Court Adoption and Permanency Resource Guide (2007 Supplement)
The guide is a compilation of many state and national programs that have been developed to promote permanency for foster care children. The first guide was published and distributed in 1999. It was updated in 2006 to address the specific challenges to permanency that local courts had identified; supplement was issued in 2007.

Dependency Flow Chart
This flow chart outlines how a dependency case moves through the court system.

The Dependency Quick Guide: A Dogbook for Attorneys Representing Children and Parents (Second Edition)
A practice guide, legal primer and process resource for dependency attorneys. Includes descriptions of each hearing type, fact sheets on key dependency concepts such as education law, ICWA and parentage, and summaries of seminal cases. Also included are checklists, black letter discussion, and tips to assist attorneys in their practice.

Implementation Guide to Juvenile Dependency Court Performance Measures
This guide provides the information necessary to implement California juvenile dependency court performance measures contained in California Rules of Court, rule
5.505. The guide describes the source, rationale, requisite data elements, and methods for producing each performance measure.

Online and Other Media

California Courts Online Self-Help Center
For detailed information on the juvenile dependency court process, forms, and information for parents, visit the Self-Help Guide to Dependency Court.

California Dependency Online Guide (CalDOG)
The California Dependency Online Guide is a website that provides dependency-related case law, legal materials, articles and other resources to California attorneys, judicial officers, social workers, tribal representatives, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and other child welfare professionals. The website provides access to high-quality, up-to-date information for professionals working in California’s dependency system, regardless of the size of the county, the employer, or the availability of legal and other resources in the local area. It also ensures that attorneys practicing anywhere in the state are able to complete the statutory training required to be eligible to accept appointment as counsel for parents or children. For more information, view the CalDOG postcard. Subscriptions are free and available to professionals working in the field of juvenile dependency. Log in or subscribe here.

CalDOG is supported by grants from the federal Court Improvement Program.

Juvenile Dependency: The Video Game
Designed to provide attorneys with a virtual idea of what it is like to function as an attorney who represents parents and children in juvenile dependency cases. This day-in-the-life experience takes the user through three levels: the Interview room, the Courtroom and the Office. At each level, the attorney is met with challenges typically faced by attorneys each day. Depending upon a player's answers and choices, the player can earn points, be promoted or burn out and quit. Playing the entire game will earn an attorney two (2) hours of MCLE credit.

To receive a copy of the video game, email dependencyguide@jud.ca.gov or call (415) 865-4564.

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