National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Family Time and HB 1194 Implementation Workgroup
The Use of Remote Hearings in Texas State Courts: The Impact on Judicial Workload
The first national review of data that confirms what judges have anecdotally shared about remote hearings before and during the pandemic. The 12-month study analyzed both 1.25 million minutes of judicial data and focus group feedback from judges and court leaders in eight counties across Texas. The National Center for State Courts (NSCS) study, supported with funding from the State Justice Institute, found that remote proceedings take about a third longer than in-person hearings largely due to technology-related issues and lack of preparation by participants. But the study also found that remote proceedings take longer because they increase access to justice, as litigants can more easily attend and participate in hearings. To read NCSC’s full report
Module 1: Introduction to Child Dependency
This module provides judicial officers with an overview of the background, purpose, and structure of the child dependency court system in Washington State. Specific topics include: structure of child dependency court systems, role of the judicial officer, federal and legal authorities that govern child welfare systems, permanency for children, and dependency process timeline.
Estimated Length: 120 minutes
Teaching the Hulk Tetris – Understanding Trauma and the Importance of Self-Regulation
This presentation explores the connection between trauma and negative life outcomes through a foundational understanding of the neurophysiology of the human stress response and how trauma is “stored” in the body. It takes a deep dive into the role of the central nervous system in an individual’s ability to cope with stress and the numerous implications this has for their short-term and long-term wellness. A parent who successfully navigated the child welfare system brings the science and her lived experience together, providing practical tools for helping clients and professionals avoid “hulking out.”
New Resources for Dependency Fact Finding and TPR Trials
As courtrooms are starting to open up more, and many courts are using a hybrid model allowing some participation remotely, the attached sample documents may be a good resource in preparing for Fact Finding and Termination of Parental Rights trials. The Child Welfare Committee of the Board of Judicial Administration Court Recovery Task Force created three sample documents (see attached), which have been endorsed by the Task Force: SAMPLE Pre-Trial Order for Remote Dependency Fact Finding or TPR Trials….
HB 1194 Training – Strengthening Parent-Child Visits During Child Welfare Proceedings
On July 21, 2021, FYJP partnered with the Office of Public Defense, the Attorney General’s Office, Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs and DCYF to deliver a virtual training and Q&A session on HB 1194. 60 minutes
Dependency Practice Tip: Strengthening Parent-Child Visitation During Child Welfare Proceedings – HB 1194 Changes to Law and Practice
HB 1194 makes significant changes to the court’s role in ordering visitation with the goal of providing the maximum parent, child, and sibling contact possible, while keeping the child safe. A statute-by-statute overview of these changes is provided, along with resources and implementation information.
HB 1194 Training – Strengthening Parent-Child Visits During Child Welfare Proceedings
A training and Q& A session on the new Family Time visit requirements created by HB 1194 was held on July 21, 2021. The session was recorded and can be viewed on this website. Q&As from the session will be posted soon.
New DOH Guidance on Safe Behaviors Post-Vaccine – Implications for Family Time Visits
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is adopting the guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding post-vaccine behavior. This has implications for families to visit without masks, when a parent has been vaccinated. The guidance provides that, if someone has been fully vaccinated, they can: Gather indoors with fully vaccinated people in private residences without wearing a mask and, Gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household in private residences (for example, visiting
