May 2024

NACC Hosted Careers in Child Welfare Law: HBCU Edition, Publishes Career Guide

On April 19, NACC hosted a virtual panel: Careers in Child Welfare Law, HBCU Edition. NACC welcomed students and discussed careers in defense of minors, legal representation in child welfare proceedings, and policy advocacy. NACC was proud to host this event as we support a pipeline of diverse students into legal careers serving children and families.

NACC also recently released the to help prepare people for careers in the child welfare law field. ?to learn more about NACC Student Engagement.?

Currey Cook elected Board Secretary

At its April meeting, the ?elected board member Currey Cook, JD?to serve as Board Secretary. As part of that role, Currey now serves on the NACC Executive Committee. Congrats Currey!

NACC Conference Program Revealed

Check out ?to see presenters, sessions, and topics for the ?More below.

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover!

You're going to read and use the Red Book a lot. Why not get a copy that's already broken in? Order an ?now at a discount, while supplies last.

Call for Nominations – 2024 Promoting Excellence Awards

NACC presents the Promoting Excellence Awards annually to individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the rights and well-being of children and families through high-quality legal representation.?NACC invites nominations for individual attorneys, organizations, and law students who demonstrate excellence in their advocacy efforts for children and families.

Compassionate Advocacy: Integrating Trauma-Informed Practices for an Enhanced Legal Practice

May 21, 12:00 - 1:30pm MT

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the foundational principles of trauma-informed care and their relevance in legal settings, including the identification of trauma indicators and understanding the impact of trauma on clients.
• Learn actionable techniques for integrating trauma-informed practices into daily legal routines, such as providing hydration, snacks, and sensory tools to mitigate stress and promote client comfort during proceedings.
• Examine the broader implications of trauma-informed approaches on client engagement, communication, and overall well-being within legal environments, fostering a culture of empathy, trust, and support.

Presenter

Josephine C. Vanderhorst, MFP, JD, CWLS, NACC Senior Staff Attorney

2024 Pre-Conference Red Book Training

August 11, 9:00am - 4:30pm MT

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City

$300

The Red Book Training is NACC’s signature training, designed to provide a comprehensive overview of child welfare law and practice as well as to assist attorneys in preparing for the Child Welfare Law Specialist certification exam. This one-day, in-person training is based on the fourth edition of Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases?— more commonly known as the Red Book. The training will cover the following areas of the Red Book, as well as practice exam questions:

• Overarching Legal Structure and Themes
• Legal Case from Beginning to End
• Discrete Issues
• Lawyering Roles
• Essential Lawyering Skills

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Box lunch included.

Counsel for Kids State Legislative Updates

New Hampshire’s Children and Family Law Committee considered ?on April 23. If passed, it would require the appointment of legal counsel for children placed in institutions or group homes and permit judicial appointment of attorneys for any child in child protection court proceedings.?NACC submitted supportive . NACC State Coordinator Lisa Wolford also ?in support of the bill (hearing begins at 30-minute mark, see testimony at 1:26:50).?The bill was voted out of committee with an “ought to pass” recommendation.?It will move to the House floor.

Gov. DeSantis signed into law Florida ?“Protection of Children and Victims of Crime” on April 10.?SB 1224 was amended to preserve the right to legal counsel?for groups of children in the foster care system.?We applaud the astute decision-making of lawmakers who once again recognized that children involved in these proceedings need lawyers of their own to ensure their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and they experience outcomes that keep them safely with their families and on a path toward success.?While maintaining the status quo is a victory, it is time for Florida to take the next critical step of expanding access to legal counsel for all children in foster care proceedings.

Counsel for Kids Social Media Storm May 15

May 1 was Law Day and the start of National Foster Care Month. May 15 is the anniversary of the case In Re Gault - which guaranteed lawyers for youth experiencing the criminal legal system.?At the intersection of access to justice and children lies the unfortunate reality that ?experiencing the child protection system. On May 15, share on social media why #counsel4kids are important!

NACC Advocates for Support for Children and Families

NACC endorsed ?for short-term foster families, and also signed a letter asking Congressional leaders to .

Amicus Updates

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The Third District of the Texas Court of Appeals recently ruled on two cases in which NACC participated as amicus. The panel rejected appellants' jurisdictional challenges and found that sufficient evidence was presented to restrain Texas' attempt to investigate families facilitating gender-affirming health care for their transgender children. Read the opinions in ?and .

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NACC filed an ?regarding the federal law, research and best practices around legal guardianship.

CWLS on the Bench!

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NACC is excited to announce the recent appointment of several Child Welfare Law Specialists to the bench!

Christina Bridger, JD, CWLS, has been appointed as an associate judge to the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court in Georgia! Judge Bridger was certified as a CWLS in 2023 and has over 15 years of experience representing children and parents in child welfare cases. She started her career as a solo practitioner in 2009 and joined the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court Guardian ad Litem Unit in 2021. She is a first-generation American and earned her BA from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and her JD from Michigan Law School.

Eliza Hirst, JD, CWLS,?has been appointed to the Delaware Family Court for New Castle County! Judge Hirst was certified as a CWLS in 2012. She began her career in legal aid in 2003, then joined the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate in 2010, and became an adjunct law professor in 2019 teaching Children and the Law, Education Law, and Youth Defender Skills. In 2021 she joined the Office of Defense Services. She earned her BA from Oberlin College and her JD from the University of Texas School of Law.

Donald Lee, JD, CWLS,?has been appointed as an associate judge to the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court in Georgia! Judge Lee was certified as a CWLS in 2018. Starting off in 2008 at the Fulton County Public Defender Office, in 2014 he joined the Gwinnett County Juvenile Court Guardian ad Litem Unit. In 2022 he was the recipient of the Judge Willie Lovett Award for Advancing the Field of Juvenile Law. He is past president of the Gwinnett County Bar Association. He earned his BS from Cornell University and his JD from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.

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Congratulations Judge Bridger, Judge Hirst, and Judge Lee! NACC is thrilled that you’re bringing the highest CWLS standards for legal advocacy into your courtrooms!

Are you ready to enhance your practice? Become a certified

NACC Board Member in the News

NACC Board Member Amy Harfeld??to speak about preserving?social security benefits for youth in foster care.

California News

Several California children’s legal services providers??to ?regarding frequency of attorney-client meetings. Further information?in .

Get your copy of the Red Book

NACC is proud to publish??also known as “the Red Book”.

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The fourth edition includes new topics and contributors:??

• Case details: from investigation to appeals?
• Focus on racial and LGBTQ+ justice?
• Focus on dual-status youth and parents/children with disabilities?
• Systemic, preventive, and multidisciplinary advocacy?
• And much more!?

Don't mind a Red Book that's a little broken in? Order an?and save. All the same content, with minor wear or damage to the cover.

Children's Law Office Guidebook - 2nd Edition

NACC published the latest edition of the .?Edited by former NACC Training Director?Kristen Pisani-Jacques, JD, CWLS, the Guidebook includes contributions from 55 law office leaders and senior staff and demonstrates the growth and development of the field.?This is an essential resource for law office leaders!

Early Registration is Open!

We hope you'll

Enhance your practice, connect with fellow advocates, and take your advocacy to the next level. NACC offers an onsite conference in Salt Lake City in August, and a virtual conference online in September. Onsite/dual registration includes access to the online conference, which will have its own program.

Onsite Conference

Salt Lake City, Utah

August 12-14?

Pre-conference and Career Fair August 11

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City

Virtual Conference

Online – from the comfort of your home

September 11-13

Updated Conference Program

Check out the?and see what topics, sessions, and presenters are confirmed for Salt Lake City!

Registration Giveaways

As we prepare for our conference in Salt Lake City and online, we're helping our conference attendees get ready as well. Registrants may be randomly selected to receive a small "Welcome to the NACC Conference" gift.

Book your Room

Lock in a fantastic room rate at the Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City!

Book your Flights

Fly to Salt Lake City on ?and get a small discount when you use the meeting event code NY39G.

Additional Onsite Preconference Events

Registration is also open for our preconference sessions:

8/11/2024

9:00am – 4:30pm

8/11/2024

10:00am – 4:30pm

8/12/2024

12:30 – 1:45pm

8/13/2024

7 – 10pm

Second Annual Child Welfare Law Career Fair

8/11/2024

2:00pm – 5:00pm

The Career Fair promotes positions in child welfare law offices and agencies for law students, recent grads, and persons with lived experience in foster care.

Check out NACC’s Resource Center! Filter by topic area, resource type, and view NACC’s Information Hubs:??

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National and State Listservs: Join the conversation with child welfare practitioners across the country by joining the NACC listserv. Ask your peers questions about cases, policy, and share success stories and challenges.

NACC's listserv has undergone new security measures, and you may have received an email asking you to reverify your email address.?If you have not done so yet, please review the email and complete the steps to reverify/rejoin the listserv.?

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Publications and Journals:??

• Prior issues of our quarterly law journal,
• Prior issues of this newsletter, ?

Training, Webinars, and Practical Skills: ??

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Want to join the NACC listserv? Need help logging in? Email Membership@...?

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Join the conversation on social media!?

#NACC2024 #Counsel4Kids?

#CWLS

#PromotingExcellence #BuildingCommunity #AdvancingJustice?

National Association of Counsel for Children |