Publications
How to Adopt a Child in California
Court Adoption and Permanency Resource Guide (2006)
This guide is a compilation of many state and national programs that have been developed and designed to promote permanency for foster care children. Many of the program descriptions and resources found in the guide address the specific challenges to permanency that local courts have identified.
The guide has been updated to include many state and national promising practices and model programs that courts and agencies have used successfully to promote permanency for children, as well as to address identified obstacles to permanency. Many of these programs are collaborative and involve local courts, public and private agencies, CASA, as well as other service providers. The guide has been reorganized to highlight specific themes and programs and to provide an easy reference for each local court system.
Court Adoption and Permanency Resource Guide: 2007 Supplement
NOTE: The supplement is over 400 pages, so if you would prefer printing only a particular section, please use the Table of Contents below to find and print only the area in which you are interested. To receive a hard copy please contact CFCC.
We hope you will use this guide to:
- Hold an Adoption Saturday in the month of November.
- Plan and schedule several permanency events throughout the year, such as providing a child with a commemorative item, for example a teddy bear, at the finalization of his or her adoption or setting a time in the morning that will allow anyone wanting to finalize an adoption to take priority on the court calendar.
- Coordinate a working group of practitioners to strategize about how to launch any of the innovative, permanency-based model programs in this guide that are not being used in your local county.
- Convene a stakeholders meeting to develop and bring about complete systemic change in the area of permanency.
- Serve as a resource as issues arise.
Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 2010
Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 2005
Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 2001
Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 1998: 1998: Chapters 1-10 | 1998: Appendices
Review of Statewide Uniform Child Support Guideline 1993
Click Here to continue to the child support main page.
Court for Kids Videos
These videos developed for children, by Court for Kids, a program of the Marin County Superior Court, explain the purpose of court, what to expect, and who does what in the courtroom.
| The Truth About Court The Truth About Court (Spanish) |
Who's Who in the Courtroom Who's Who in the Courtroom (Spanish) |
How Court Affects You and Me How Court Affects You and Me (Spanish) |
Juvenile Dependency Court Orientation Video
This 13 minute video explains the dependency court process to parents who have had children removed from their care. It describes detention, jurisdiction, disposition, and review hearings.
Orientation to Family Court Mediation and Child Custody Recommending Counseling
Mediation and child custody recommending counseling is a process in which a neutral, specially trained professional will listen to the parents concerns and help them develop a parenting plan that meets the needs of their family in the event of a divorce or when two parents choose to live apart. This video describes the mediation and child custody recommending counseling court process, provides helpful information about parenting plans, and offers tips on how parents can reduce conflict and help their children adjust to the changes happening in their family.
Together Again: A Day of Celebration This book, written from a child’s perspective, seeks to describe the challenges that face children and families going through the dependency process, and celebrate the important accomplishments of parents and the professionals that support them in their efforts toward reunification. The book also includes a “Certificate of Reunification” to commemorate the date of reunification. Printable versions are available below.
Together Again: A Day of Celebration (for color printing)
Together Again: A Day of Celebration (for b/w printing)
Certificate of Reunification
What's Happening in Court? An Activity Book for Children Who Are Going to Court in California, available in English and Spanish. This book is for children coming to court — whether they are witnesses, visitors, or involved in a case. It introduces children to the court processes in which they are or could be involved, the people who work in the judicial system, and the vocabulary that surrounds judicial proceedings. It is meant to be used as a teaching tool that may foster conversations between children and adults about the court system, and a game book that gives children who are in court something to do while they wait.
What's Happening in Court? - Interactive | PDF
¿Qué Sucede en la Corte? - Interactivo | PDF
A Preliminary Look at California Parole Reentry Courts (06/2012; 10 pages)
Applying Collaborative Justice Court Principles and Practices Faculty Guide (228 pages)
For size reasons, publication comes in two separate PDF files.
For a companion DVD, please contact: collaborativejustice@jud.ca.gov
Applying Collaborative Justice Court Principles and Practices Faculty Guide, pages 1-114
Applying Collaborative Justice Court Principles and Practices Faculty Guide, pages 115-228
Collaborative Justice Courts: Resource Workbook (908 pages)
For a companion DVD, please contact: CollabJusticeComm@jud.ca.gov
Table of Contents and Preface (pp. 1-5)
Part One (pp. 6-21)
Part Two: General (pp. 22-100 and pp. 101-187)
Adult:
A. Drugs (pp. 188-300 and pp. 301-410 )
B. DUI (pp. 411-459)
C. Campus (pp. 460-461)
D. Mental Health (pp. 462-489 and pp. 490-611 )
E. Homeless (pp. 612-644)
F. Community (pp. 645-656)
G. Domestic Violence (pp. 657-702)
Juvenile:
H. Juvenile Drug (pp. 703-804)
I. Peer/Teen (pp. 805-862)
Family Dependency (pp. 863-908)
Elder Abuse Pocket Reference for Judges
Transferring Collaborative Justice Principles (12/2004)
A recent study examines the potential to apply specialized "problem-solving court" principles and practices more broadly throughout state court systems. Based on focus groups and interviews with 35 judges in California and New York, the study assesses which problem-solving court practices are transferable to general court calendars, the major barriers to transferability and how problem-solving methods may be more widely disseminated among judges and judicial leaders.
Court News Article
Full Report
California's Collaborative Justice Courts, Building a Problem-Solving Judiciary
Click here to continue to the California Collaborative Justice Courts main page for additional information.
Research Publications
California Drug Courts: A Methodology for Determining Costs and Avoided Costs (05/23/2006)
Research Summary: California Drug Court Cost Analysis Study
Phase I: Building the Methodology
The study found that
- Drug court participants had significantly lower rates of recidivism than the comparison group (29% vs. 41%). Graduates of the drug court program had even lower rates of recidivism (17%).
- The nine drug courts showed savings ranging from $3,200 to $20,000 per participant.
- The study showed over $9 million in savings for the state for a group of 900 participants.
California's Collaborative Justice Courts: Building a Problem-Solving Judiciary
This study describes the development of the various collaborative courts in California since their inception in the 1980's.
Center for Court Innovation: Collaborative Justice in Conventional Courts: Opportunities and Barriers
Center for Court Innovation: Collaborative Justice in Conventional Courts: Stakeholder Perspectives in California
Research Update: STAR Court Study: Initial Results (January 2020)
The Judicial Council’s Center for Families, Children & the Courts has partnered with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to conduct a comprehensive study of the Succeeding Through Achievement and Resilience (STAR) Court, a juvenile collaborative court program focused on providing services to commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) or youth at risk of exploitation. This research update provides descriptive data about STAR Court participants.
An Overview of California’s Girls’ and CSEC Courts: Process Evaluation Report 2021
This final evaluation report details the results of a process evaluation of California’s girls’ and CSEC courts designed for those at risk of or have been Commercially Sexually Exploited Children.. The report covers an overview of what girls’ courts and CSEC courts are, the existing literature about this court type, the methodology used in the evaluation, and evaluation results. It concludes with a set of recommendations for courts that might see victims of exploitation or that want to create their own girls’ or CSEC court.
Click here to continue to the California Collaborative Justice Courts main page for additional information.
See Juvenile Dependency below.
Orientation to Family Court Mediation and Child Custody Recommending Counseling
Mediation and child custody recommending counseling is a process in which a neutral, specially trained professional will listen to the parents concerns and help them develop a parenting plan that meets the needs of their family in the event of a divorce or when two parents choose to live apart. This video describes the mediation and child custody recommending counseling court process, provides helpful information about parenting plans, and offers tips on how parents can reduce conflict and help their children adjust to the changes happening in their family.
See also "Snapshot Study"
Reports
Family Law Interpreter Pilot Program: A Report to the California Legislature (2001)
Research
Information for Court Users
Guardianship Pamphlet (Probate) GC-205
Guardianship Pamphlet JV-350
English Spanish Korean Chinese Vietnamese
CFCC is involved in many juvenile delinquency projects aimed at improving the juvenile justice system. As a result, CFCC produces publications and other resources to provide information to court professionals, justice partners, and the public. Juvenile Delinquency publications can be found on the Juvenile Delinquency page.
CFCC is involved in many projects aimed assisting courts hearing dependency cases. Staff provide technical assistance, legal information, training, and education to judges, attorneys, and system partners. Staff also produces publications and other resources for both professionals and court users. To access the publications and program information visit the Juvenile Dependency page.
The Juvenile Dependency Court and You – A Guide for Parents
This guide describes the dependency court process in California. It also includes the story of one parent who went through the dependency system and her advice to you on how to get your children back home.
Printable English version in black and white
Printable English version in color
Printable Spanish version in black and white
Printable Spanish version in color
The Guide to Dependency Court has more information on what happens to juvenile custody orders when your case is over. More resources can be found on the Juvenile Dependency page.
Research Update: Native American Statistical Abstract: Population Characteristics July 2011
Native American Statistical Abstract: Violence and Victimization September 2011
Native American Communities Justice Project:
Beginning the Dialogue: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, & Teen-Dating Violence
- Policy Paper, May 2010
- Research Report, May 2010
Snapshot Study 2008: Agreement Rates (2012)
Snapshot Study 2008: Family Court Services Profile (2012)
Snapshot Study 2008: Summary Findings
Demographic Trends of Clients in Court-Based Child Custody Mediation (2005)
Client Feedback in California Court-Based Child Custody Mediation (2004)
Stat Sheet: Domestic Violence in Court-Based Child Custody Mediation in California (2003)
SUSRS 2003 Client Baseline Study: Summary Findings (2004)
Research Update: Difficult Cases in Court-Based Child Custody Mediation in California (2003)
Stat Sheet: Difficult Cases in Court Based Child Custody Mediation in California (2003)
Research Update: Custody Mediation and Ethnic Diversity in California (2001)
Research Update: Children's Residence Five Years after Mediation. (2000)
Preparing Court-Based Child Custody Mediation Services for the Future (Report 12) (2000).
Statistical Profiles from Two Statewide Studies, Report 6 (1996)
Visitation with Children: A Follow-up of Court Mediation Clients,Report 5 (1994).
Mediated Agreements on Child Custody and Visitation, Report 4(1994).
Client Evaluations of Mediation Services: The Impact of Case Characteristics and Mediation Services Models, Report 3 (1994).
Client Evaluations of Mediation Services: Perspectives of Mothers and Fathers, Report 2. (1994).
Executive Summary
Main report not available.
Fact Sheet: Mediation Service Models and Client Satisfaction. (1993)
Overview: California Family Court Services Mediation 1991: Families, Cases, and Client Feedback (Report 1) (1992).
Supervised Visitation - An Annotated Bibliography (17 MB) (2000)
A Guide for the Non-Professional Provider of Supervised Visitation
Access to Visitation Grant Program Annual Reports to the California Legislature: Pursuant to Family Code section 3204(d), the Judicial Council shall, on March 1, 2002, and the first day of March each subsequent even-numbered year, report to the Legislature on the programs funded and whether and to what extent those programs are achieving the goal of promoting and encouraging healthy parent and child relationships between non-custodial or joint custodial parents and their children while ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of children, and other goals described in this chapter.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program for Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Nonresidential Parents-The First Five Years: Report to the Legislature (March 2002)
The first published report to the Legislature that provided an overview of the grant program and its accomplishments. Although no recommendations are made in the report, the following actions to improve parents access to and visitation with their children were highlighted as deserving the Legislature's consideration: (1) mandatory training and education for SV providers; (2) expansion of A/V to non-existing counties; (3) recognition of A/V grant-related services as an essential court-based service; and (4) addressing the inadequacy of funding.
Legislative Report: A Report to the California Legislature: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program for Enhancing Responsibility and Opportunity for Nonresidential Parents Fiscal Year 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 (February 28, 2003)
Provides information on overall program administration, review and selection processes, and reporting requirements. Although no specific recommendations are made in the report, the report highlights one major challenge—the need to identify adequate, stable funding resources for programs to meet the increasing demands of the courts and parents struggling with access to visitation issues.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program: Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 (March 2004)
Provides the state Legislature with details on the grant programs, the scope of these programs’ services, and the development and implementation of the new state Access to Visitation Grant Program Data Collection and Reporting System, which took effect October 1, 2003. Although no formal recommendations are made in the report, it identifies a major challenge that warrants the Legislature’s consideration—maintaining and expanding services despite the impediment of inadequate funding. It also identified three next steps for the grant program: (1) conduct a statewide needs assessment; (2) evaluate the data collection system that was created; and (3) identify effective models of practice.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program: Fiscal Years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 (March 2005)
Provides an overview on the grant-related achievements supported and administered by the courts and their collaborative, community-based subcontractors. In addition, it highlights program service accomplishments and general provisions of service delivery.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program: Fiscal Years 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 (March 2006)
Provides general information on the programs funded for the fiscal year. To enhance court and community outreach while also reinforcing the goals of information sharing and maximal use of program resources to meet the needs of the courts and families receiving grant-funded services, the grant program proposes to spend fiscal years 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 focused on the following goals and activities: (1) providing technical assistance and offering training and education to courts statewide; (2) using the research findings from the programs’ data collection and reporting system to create a profile of the demographic population characteristics of families receiving A/V services; (3) developing a A/V Program Resources Binder; (4) developing an informational directory of statewide SV service providers; and (5) identifying model programs that can be replicated on both state and national levels.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Program: Fiscal Year 2005-2006 (July 2007)
Highlights the total number of clients served for fiscal year 2005-2006 and how the courts and their subcontractors are promoting and encouraging healthy parent and child relationships through the grant-related services. Although no specific recommendations are made in the report, programmatically, the greatest challenge and statewide need continues to be adequate funding to meet essential court-related services. The report highlights that to assist the courts, program administrators, program constituents, and the Legislature in evaluating future policy decisions, the first in a series of future statistical data reports will be reported regarding the AV Data Collection and Reporting System. In fiscal year 2008, a demographic profile of the characteristics of families receiving services will be provided.
Legislative Report: Ten Years of Access to Visitation Grant Program Services (Fiscal Years 1997-2007) (March 2008)
The grant program celebrated its 10-year anniversary in fiscal year 2006–2007. The report showcases programs funded, program successes and accomplishments, innovative promising practices, and program service delivery gaps and challenges. Although no formal recommendations are made in the report, it does identify various challenges and complexities regarding the administration and operation of the grant-related services that limit the ability of the grants to address the great demand for program services.
Legislative Report: California's Access to Visitation Grant Program (Fiscal Year 2009-2010) (March 2010)
Legislative Report: California’s Access to Visitation Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 (March 2012)
Legislative Report: California’s Access to Visitation Grant Program (Fiscal Years 2012–2013 and 2013–2014), as required by Government Code section 9795 (March)
Legislative Report: California’s Access to Visitation Grant Program (Federal Fiscal Years 2014–2016): 2016 Report to the Legislature
Improving Coordination of Cases Involving Children and Families (2008)
Unified Courts for Families Program: Mentor Court Project, Final Evaluation Report (2007)
Unified Family Court Evaluation Literature Review (2002)
Survey of Proceedings Involving Children and Families: Report of Survey Results (2001)