As the central decisionmaker in every child protective proceeding, our nation's courts are at the front line for addressing the well-being of thousands of children in foster care. Every court appearance provides an opportunity for someone involved in the court process to ask questions about a foster child's health needs and for health professionals to bring information about a particular foster child to the attention of the court.
The presenter will explain the child welfare and family court process and the role of the court in reviewing a child's needs and the parent's ability to meet those needs. Participants will learn about laws and programs that can enhance the healthy development of foster children. The presenter will describe strategies developed by the Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children to enhance the court's role in ensuring the healthy development of foster children and distribute the Commission's booklet, Ensuring the Healthy Development of Foster Children: A Guide for Judges, Advocates and Child Welfare Professionals, with ten questions to identify an foster child's health needs and gaps in services. Additionally, the presenter will suggest ways health professionals can bring information about foster children to the attention of the courts.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, the participant will be able to: (1) understand how children enter the child welfare system and the family court's role in monitoring the child's well-being (2) identify laws and programs related to the health of foster children; (3) ask questions to identify children's health needs and gaps in services; (4) identify strategies to bring health information to the attention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.