Dependency Quick Guide
The Dependency Quick Guide is intended to be used as a reference manual for attorneys representing parents and children in juvenile dependency proceedings. Its goal is to provide guidance and short answers to common problems that attorneys face. The book is divided into three major parts: "Hearings," "Fact Sheets," and "Summaries of Seminal Cases."
Here's what's new in the third edition: Continuum of Care Reform, new ICWA regulations, updated seminal cases, and new fact sheets.
The hearings section is organized by statutory hearing in procedural order. Each statutory hearing section contains checklists and black letter discussion and tips. The checklists outline the primary tasks that must be completed and factors that must be considered before, during, and after each statutory dependency hearing. The black letter sections provide a basic overview of the hearings for new attorneys as well as tips on how to effectively advocate for clients in problem situations.
Initial/Detention
Detention Hearing Checklist: Child's Attorney
Detention Hearing Checklist: Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Hearing Checklist: Child’s Attorney
Jurisdiction Hearing Checklist: Parent’s Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Disposition
Disposition Hearing Checklist: Child's Attorney
Disposition Hearing Checklist: Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Judicial Review of Placement With Parent
Judicial Review of Placement With Parent Checklist (§ 364): Child's Attorney
Judicial Review of Placement With Parent Checklist (§ 364): Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Status Reviews
Status Reviews Checklist: Child's Attorney
Status Reviews Checklist: Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Selection and Implementation
Selection and Implementation Checklist (§ 366.26): Child's Attorney
Selection and Implementation Checklist (§ 366.26): Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Review of Permanent Plan
Review of Permanent Plan Checklist (§ 366.3): Child's Attorney
Review of Permanent Plan Checklist (§ 366.3): Parent's Attorney
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Subsequent and Supplemental Petitions
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
Motions for Modification
Black Letter Discussion and Tips
The fact sheets are organized topically and give additional information on complex areas of dependency practice. They cover complex topics such that a practitioner will have, at a minimum, a foundation to provide effective advocacy in cases that require specialize knowledge. References to fact sheets through the book are hyperlinked to enable you to jump to the relevant fact sheet.
Adoption
Caregivers
Child Abuse Central Index
Children's Rights
Continuum of Care Reform
Determination of Child's Status
Education Law, Rights, and Issues
Extended Foster Care: Court Procedures
Extended Foster Care: Written Report Requirements for Social Workers
Funding and Rate Issues
Hearsay in Dependency Hearings
Immigration
Indian Child Welfare Act
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
Jurisdictional Issues
Parentage
Parents' Rights Regarding GAL Appointments and Incarcerated Parents
Pregnant and Parenting Teens
Psychotropic Medication Orders
Relative Placements
Resource Family Approval
Safe Haven / Safe Surrender
Siblings
Termination of Jurisdiction: Common Issues
Visitation
The case summaries give practitioners brief descriptions of the seminal cases that have shaped the practice of dependency law today. As with the fact sheets, seminal cases referenced in other sections of the books are hyperlinked to the summary provided in the seminal cases section.
Detention Hearings
Jurisdictional Hearings
Dispositional Hearings
Review Hearings
Selection and Implementation (Section 366.26) Hearings
Reviews of Permanent Plans
Supplemental Petitions
Caregivers/De Facto Parents
Continuances
Children's Rights
Counsel for the Child
Parent's Rights
Hearsay in Dependency Proceedings
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
Indian Child Welfare Act
Parentage