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Dear GALs: While the FY2026 budget is not final, as the General Assembly needs to consider the Governor's amendments, he didn't change this particular line item--so I think it's safe to say it is a done deal. The new budget goes into effect July 1, 2025 (assuming an agreement is reached by then): The budget amendment introduced by Senator Russet Perry would have increased the GAL compensation from $75/hour to $90/hour /in court and $55/hour to $65/hour /out of court. The overall cost would have been $4m. Unfortunately, the General Assembly only provided $1m for this increase, which will only support an increase to $78.75 / in court and $57.50 / out of court. The budget line item explanation does add "that OES may approve a rate increase if sufficient funding is available either from its existing Criminal Fund appropriations, as determined by a consensus six-year forecast." Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Coordinator, National Association of Counsel for Children Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 ? Richmond, VA 23219 www.vplc.org

Join a focus group to help the ABA update Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Child Welfare Agencies. Casey Family Programs and the ABA Center on Children and the Law have entered a partnership to facilitate improvements and updates to the ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Child Welfare Agencies. Specifically, both Casey and the ABA are hosting several virtual focus groups to learn what may be needed to update and/or improve the ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Child Welfare Agencies. We are looking for diverse perspectives and experiences to improve our understanding of needed changes. If you are interested in being a part of a focus group, please fill out the form (linked below) to let us know which dates and times work for you. We plan on separating these focus groups by roles—parent counsel, counsel for children, agency counsel, judicial officers, youth with lived experience, parents with lived experience, and agency case managers. Please sign up for one of the times that works for you in your role, and you will receive a Zoom invitation. ABA Standards Updates for CW Agency Counsel Focus groups times by Participant Role 1-Apr 2-3 pm Judges or judicial officers 1-Apr 3-4 pm Counsel for children 2-Apr 2-3 pm Child Welfare Agency Counsel 2-Apr 4-5 pm Counsel for parents 3-Apr 9-10 am Child Welfare case workers or case managers 10-Apr 8-9 pm Youth with lived experience 14-Apr 6-7 pm Parents with lived experience 7-May 10-11 am Counsel for children 7-May 2-3pm Counsel for parents 7-May 3-4 pm Judges or judicial officers 12-May 7-8 pm Youth with lived experience 12-May 8-9 pm Parents with lived experience 13-May 1-2 pm Child Welfare case workers or case managers 13-May 4-5 pm Child Welfare Agency Counsel Please share with your clients and networks, including judges and agency counsel, as well! Questions: Heather Kestian at heather.kestian@... or Brooke Silverthorn at bsilverthorn@... Focus group interest form: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=M7_3wEunFU2ns7yuIuqb3HrU_is9TwRAp6TA2yS8NxtUMjlVWURFRUJLVEw5UU1KRk5CTVlCUlc3Vi4u&route=shorturl__;!!A-8UxJjp!J6x4zMLAc68AlHg4ddjhvIm-0RtewED-7MC9s5g539SVPgzDw3J7ZZVH7OCTd-oy7GLjjfYUtmghjpihu5RduzQl0i8YB7L9WgLFARUHZScYN4xWZw$ -- Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia State Coordinator, National Association of Counsel for Children Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

NOTE: Re the subject matter of the first training below: VPLC is working on guides to and information about POAs and the Standby Guardianship process for immigrant families. We are updating our POA forms with multi-language explainers (beginning with Spanish). Court forms for the SBG process are DC-503 through DC-506. Once the qualifying parent has executed a document designating a standby guardian: If the triggering event occurs, the designated SBG then petitions the court to approve the arrangement. Be sure to use the latest version of the forms, as earlier versions do not include as a "qualified parent" one at significant risk of being "detailed, incarcerated, or deported in connection with an immigration action," which was added by statute in 2021. NACC Webinars this Spring Learn how to become an even better advocate! March Webinar - Safety First: Planning for Immigrant Children, Parents, and Caregivers in Uncertain Times March 20 Noon MT $45 but free for members This workshop, led by experts in immigration and child welfare law, will cover the latest on the new administration’s policies on immigration, their potential impacts on children and families, practical guidance to advise your clients, and proactive strategies that children and families can consider to keep themselves safe. Presenters: Rachel Konrad, JD Randi Mandelbaum, JD, LLM Sign Up for March Webinar April Webinars - Salus Populi Part One: April 7, Noon MT Part Two: April 22, Noon MT Free for all Social factors, including housing affordability, quality and stability, socio-economic position, and structural racism are critical determinants of health for children and families. To equip lawyers with tools and information to argue for the wellbeing of children and families, this course will introduce how these factors, collectively referred to as the “social determinants of health” (SDOH), impact individual and population health and inequities in health. This interactive course will include discussions of the socio-ecological model of health, constrained choice theory, and population health. The course will also illustrate the interconnectedness among SDOH and explore how they intersect with legal issues that arise in child welfare and juvenile law cases in Massachusetts. The course will also discuss the terminology and methodology that epidemiologists and other public health researchers use to understand how the SDOH impact health, and discuss how lawyers can raise issues related to the SDOH in child welfare and juvenile law cases. All Upcoming Events National Association of Counsel for Children | www.NACCchildlaw.org Together we are Promoting Excellence, Building Community, Advancing Justice Valerie L’Herrou, NACC State Coordinator for Virginia Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 ? Richmond, VA 23219 www.vplc.org

Race Equity Virtual Training Series February 26-28 Learn how to advance race equity through your practice! ?In this series, NACC seeks to advance children’s and parents’ rights, support a diverse community of child welfare lawyers, and advocate for equitable, anti-racist solutions designed by people with lived experience. NACC envisions a future where every child, parent, and family has equitable access to justice and culturally responsive legal representation. Join us to improve your practice and learn more about how you can help advance racial equity in child welfare. This series aims to: Bridge progressive ideas around race and racism with practical skills and strategies for daily practice, both in and outside of the courtroom. Provide actionable tips to identify and interrupt individual, attorney, judicial, and systemic bias; practice through a culturally humble, anti-racist lens; and improve outcomes for youth, parents, and families disproportionately affected by systemic involvement. Promote transparent, solution-focused dialogue around race and racism in child welfare. Model authentic inclusion of experts with lived experience in race equity training and discussions. Agenda This training series will be six 90 minute sessions over three days. Wednesday, February 26 Skin DEEP: The History of Child Welfare by Race -10:00–11:30am MT Presenters: Shanelle Dupree, JD – Racial Equity Collaborative, Inc. Abby Fry – Racial Equity Collaborative, Inc. The Bearer Remembers: Moral Injury in Child Welfare Professionals - 1:00 – 2:30pm MT Presenters: Nesta Johnson, JD – National Center for Lesbian Rights Shomari Ward, JD – Youth Represent Thursday, February 27 Supporting Immigrant Youth & Families Engaged by the Child Welfare System - 10:00 – 11:30am MT Presenter: Tiffany Haynes – Aiden Anthony LLC Black Girl Magic: Empowering Dual Status Youth in Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems - 1:00 – 2:30pm MT Presenters: Sherri Simmons-Horton, MSW, PhD, AA – University of New Hampshire, Department of Social Work Karen Kolivosk , MSW, PhD – Georgetown University – Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Friday, February 28 Race Intelligence? (RQ)-A Coaching Framework for Brave Conversations about Race -10:00–11:30am MT Presenters: Jess Sucherman, JD – Colorado Court Improvement Program Tara Doxtater – Office of Respondent Parent Counsel and Hornbuckle Foundation Michelle Davis, LPC – Kempe Center, University of Colorado Anschutz Dismantling the Master’s House: Resisting with Bravery to Build Anti-Racist Culture - 1:00 – 2:30pm MT Presenters: Corey Best – Mining for Gold Sarah Katz, JD – Temple University Beasley School of Law Learn More and Register for Race Equity Virtual Training Series All Upcoming Events National Association of Counsel for Children | www.NACCchildlaw.org Together we are Promoting Excellence, Building Community, Advancing Justice National Association of Counsel for Children | 899 N Logan St. Suite 208 | Denver, CO 80203 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice You're receiving this message because you're a member of the NACC State Coordinators group from National Association of Counsel for Children. To take part in this conversation, reply all to this message. View group files | Leave group | Learn more about Microsoft 365 Groups

This free webinar would be a nice thing to provide to your clients. Your Case, Your Rights January 10 @ 9:00 am - 10:30 pm EST Free Presented by child welfare professionals with lived experience as former foster youth, this webinar will explore Your Case, Your Rights tools, a package of guidance and resources to help young people in the child welfare system learn AND exercise their rights across a wide variety of domains and scenarios – including cultural and heritage resources, housing, behavioral health, visitation, basic needs, and more. These evolving resources were developed by youth and child welfare professionals for use by youth and child welfare professionals independently or collaboratively. Attendees will engage in discussion, live interaction with the tools, and calls to action. Participants will take away immediately applicable tools and a model of lived-experience-led data collection and tool creation and distribution. Presenters: Gina Cabiddu, MSW – Lived Experience Expert, National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation Parker, MSW – Lived Experience Expert, National Advisory Council on Children’s Legal Representation https://naccchildlaw.org/event/your-case-your-rights/ Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 www.vplc.org The information provided in this email does not constitute legal advice; all information, content, and materials provided are for informational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship is created by providing this information; these communications are not confidential. We encourage people to consult with an attorney for legal advice. Information about Virginia legal aid offices may be found at https://www.valegalaid.org/ or by calling 1-866-LEGLAID (1-866-534-5243). Financially eligible persons may also find legal advice at https://virginia.freelegalanswers.org/. Those seeking representation who are not financially eligible may consult with an attorney for 30 minutes for $35 through the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service, https://vlrs.community.lawyer/ (800) 552-7977

The "Red Book" is a vital resource for child dependency practitioners, and until the 18th you can get an extra discount on an imperfect copy (slight damage to the cover). Membership is also discounted. Get the Gift of a Better Child Welfare Law Practice The Red Book, an NACC membership, or Conference to Go! ? 15 percent off NACC orders Sale extended through December 18 with the code: thankyou2024 Get the Latest Edition of the Red Book! Child Welfare Law and Practice (the Red Book), the cornerstone text in our field, is a must-have resource for every advocate practicing child welfare law. Past editions of the Red Book are now more than a decade old. Laws and practices have changed a lot in the last ten years. The fourth edition of the Red Book has new information on racial and LGBTQ+ justice; representing dual-status youth; parents/children with disabilities; systemic, preventive, and multidisciplinary advocacy; and so much more! Get the latest edition of the Red Book and make sure your advocacy and understanding of the law are up to date! You can order your brand new copy of the Red Book now! Or, if you don't mind a book that is already a little worn in, you can save and get the Red Book - Imperfect Condition. The same content with a little wear to the cover or pages. Either way, you're getting the latest info to improve your practice. Whether it's the Red Book, the Children's Law Office Guidebook, or NACC's Student Chapter Guide, NACC has the publications and information you need to help you become a better advocate for children and families. Browse NACC Publications NACC Membership - Join the growing community! Join a thriving and growing community working to advance justice alongside young people and families. Our national network of nearly 2,000 active members includes attorneys, judges, professors, students, doctors, therapists, social workers, policy advocates, and administrators. If you work in the child welfare system or a related field, the National Association of Counsel for Children is here to serve you. Membership gives you access to training, resources, and community to help you elevate your work and better serve children and families. Your practice is our purpose! Member Benefits and Registration Conference to Go! If you missed NACC's 2024 online conference but still hoped to get the training and info you need to enhance your child welfare law practice, you're in luck! Registration is now open for NACC’s 2024 Conference to Go package. Conference to Go gives you access to all session recordings and materials from the 2024 Online Conference. You can watch and listen to recordings at your leisure and download conference materials. Check out the 2024 Conference Program to see the online recorded conference session descriptions. CWLS and NACC Members: $200 Non-Member: $275 Learn More and Get Conference to Go Remember to use the code thankyou2024 at checkout to get 15 percent off your order! NACC Store National Association of Counsel for Children | www.NACCchildlaw.org Together we are Promoting Excellence, Building Community, Advancing Justice Valerie L'Herrou Virginia State Coordinator, NACC Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct Line: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

Starting Next Week: High-Quality Legal Representation in Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers ?Online Training Series October 30 - November 20 NACC is pleased to present our new and expanded Infants & Toddlers series. This comprehensive four-session series is tailored for attorneys for the agency, children, or parents, as well as judges and social workers in infant and toddler cases. Dive deep into the nuances of providing high-quality legal representation in cases involving our youngest and most vulnerable clients. From compassionate advocacy and understanding the unique harms faced by infants and toddlers to navigating the removal decision and fostering collaboration for families, each session is designed to equip you with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to effectively advocate for these young individuals. Session One: Compassionate Advocacy in Infant & Toddler Cases October 30, 1:30-3:00pm MT Session Two: Understanding the Harm in Infant and Toddler Cases November 6, 1:30-3:00pm MT Session Three: Advocacy Around the Removal Decision November 13, 1:30-3:00pm MT Session Four: Collaboration for Families with Infants and Toddlers November 20, 1:30-3:00pm MT Register for Infants and Toddlers Training Series Enhance Your Legal Practice and Advocacy with NACC this Fall Upcoming Webinars: October Webinar - Court Reform Efforts for Child Welfare Involved Families: The Case Management Model October 25 Involvement in the child welfare system drastically changes the trajectory of a family’s life. In a system with thousands of families, traditionally designed courtrooms leave less time for families to express their needs and feel like each member of the courtroom is invested in their wellbeing. In a Case Management Model courtroom, time is permitted for the family’s voice. Child welfare stakeholders in every jurisdiction must understand the importance of families having meaningful access to resources to help them reunify; the capabilities and limitations of courtroom advocates representing the county, parents, and/or children; and what tools are available to help families reunify and avoid further dependency system intervention. This presentation features Los Angeles County’s “Case Management Model” and its impact from the perspective of one of the attorneys and one of the investigators working in it together Presenters: Rosario Reyes, Children’s Law Center of California Christina Bazak, Children’s Law Center of California Learn More about the October Webinar November Webinar - Resilience Through Compassion: Navigating Setbacks with Deep Listening and Humility November 15 In this final session of the Compassion Series, join a panel of experts as they discuss strategies for overcoming setbacks in the fight for justice within child welfare. Learn how deep listening, humility, and embracing diverse perspectives can help legal professionals maintain resilience and compassion in their work. Presenters: Vivek Sankaran, Clinical Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School Kathleen Creamer, Managing Attorney of the Family Advocacy Unit, Community Legal Services Matt Anderson, Co-Founder, Imagination Factory Sign up for November Webinar Free Webinar - How We Established a Statewide Children’s Law Office December 4 Expert panelists from Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma will share the various steps each state took to establish a statewide children’s law office- the premiere means of delivering high-quality legal services. Discussion will include how and why the organizational models were selected, staffing options, how high-quality legal representation is ensured, and the legislative enactments, appropriations, and funding sources necessary to launch and maintain the centralized law offices. Panelists will also inform attendees on challenges faced and pitfalls to avoid in pursuit of centralized legal services. Panelists: Janet Bledsoe – Arkansas Ashley Chase – Colorado Leslie Jones – New Mexico Gwendolyn Clegg – Oklahoma Moderator: Natalece Washington, NACC Sign up for Free Statewide Children's Law Office Webi

Fall NACC Training opportunities: Red Book and Infant/Toddler series (not Virginia CLE certified) Sign Up for the Fall Online Red Book Training Course Become an even better lawyer with NACC! Starting Next Week! Tuesdays, September 24 - November 12 5:00 - 6:30pm ET Last chance to take this course in 2024! NACC’s signature Red Book Training Course covers major dependency practice competency areas and is designed to assist you in preparing for the Child Welfare Law Specialist examination. The Red Book Training Course is an exciting opportunity for practitioners to brush up on their knowledge of federal child welfare law and learn tips to enhance their representation of children, parents, or the agency. The 2024 course will include material based on the Fourth Edition of Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases. During weekly webinars, the presenter will assist participants in breaking the material down, focusing on important concepts, and learning CWLS exam-taking strategies. Sign up now! Fall Red Book Training Course High-Quality Legal Representation in Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers ?Online Training Series October 30 - November 20 NACC is pleased to announce our new and expanded Infants & Toddlers series. This comprehensive four-session series is tailored for attorneys for the agency, children, or parents, as well as judges and social workers in infant and toddler cases. Dive deep into the nuances of providing high-quality legal representation in cases involving our youngest and most vulnerable clients. From compassionate advocacy and understanding the unique harms faced by infants and toddlers to navigating the removal decision and fostering collaboration for families, each session is designed to equip you with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to effectively advocate for these young individuals. Session One: Compassionate Advocacy in Infant & Toddler Cases October 30, 1:30-3:00pm MT The Importance of Cultural Humility for Attorneys in Infant & Toddler Cases Trauma-Informed Representation Engaging w/ infants and toddlers Personal/Peer Care and Compassion for Attorneys in Infant & Toddler Cases Session Two: Understanding the Harm in Infant and Toddler Cases November 6, 1:30-3:00pm MT Developmental Considerations in Cases of Suspected Maltreatment: Physical Injury, Sexual Abuse, Medical Poverty vs Neglect in Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers Intimate Partner Violence in Homes with Infants amd Toddlers Infant and Toddler Substance Exposure Cases Expert Witnesses in Infant and Toddler Cases Session Three: Advocacy Around the Removal Decision November 13, 1:30-3:00pm MT Trauma of Removal: Child, Parents, Sibling Kin Early Advocacy Reasonable Efforts Advocacy Bonding/Attachment Considerations with Birth Family Session Four: Collaboration for Families with Infants and Toddlers November 20, 1:30-3:00pm MT Case Plan Advocacy Placement Advocacy Family Time Advocacy Well-Being Advocacy Collaboration with Resource Families Family Treatment Court Models Register for Infants and Toddlers Training Series National Association of Counsel for Children | www.NACCchildlaw.org Together we are Promoting Excellence, Building Community, Advancing Justice National Association of Counsel for Children | 899 N Logan St. Suite 208 | Denver, CO 80203 US Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

View online version or view mobile version. Representing Parents in Child Dependency Cases—Tools for Effective Advocacy Wednesday, September 25 | 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A | Telephone with Live Q&A Tuesday, November 12 | 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A | Telephone with Live Q&A MCLE Credit: 3.0 | | Live-Interactive Credit: 3.0 GAL for Children CE Credit: 3.0 Designation Credit: 3.0 Divorce and Family Law Web $219 | Tel $259 This course will provide attorneys with tools to effectively counter abuse and neglect allegations, help reduce the length of time children are removed from their homes, and ensure that service plans and orders are tailored to the needs of the family. We will explore the harms of family separation, how to ensure the agency meets its duty to provide “reasonable efforts” to reunite the family, the benefits of motion practice and written advocacy, tools for procuring discovery, effective communication with your clients, and how to shift the narrative and present evidence to reunify the family. Gain tools to improve case outcomes for families in child dependency hearings. Learn how to navigate the many roadblocks to obtaining discovery. Explore how zealous advocacy can help to preserve families in one of the most important legal practice areas. Faculty Fallon Speaker, Director, Youth Justice Program, Legal Aid Justice Center / Richmond Valerie L’Herrou, Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy, Virginia Poverty Law Center / Richmond Anna Daniszewski, Staff Attorney for Family Defense, Center for Family Advocacy, Virginia Poverty Law Center / Richmond CLE on Your Schedule: Access more than 300 on demand seminars featuring Virginia law for Virginia lawyers, 24/7, from your PC or Mac computer, tablet, or smartphone—anywhere with a good Internet connection. Each on demand seminar includes a downloadable audio version for an offline option. This e-mail was sent to valerie@... by Virginia CLE?. Unsubscribe from Family Law e-mails | Unsubscribe from all e-mails

If you missed this CLE yesterday, the rebroadcast will be November 12: https://www.vacle.org/product/representing-parents-in-child-dependency-cases-11-12-2024/ Representing Parents in Child Dependency Cases—Tools for Effective Advocacy – Virginia Continuing Legal Education This registration form is for Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A This program is also available on: Wednesday, September 25, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A This program was also presented on August 21, 2024 MCLE Credit: 3.0 Live-Interactive Credit: 3.0 (all dates, all formats) GAL for Children CE Credit: 3.0 (GAL Information) Designation Credit: 3.0 Divorce and Family Law www.vacle.org Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Valerie L'Herrou via groups.io <valerie@...> Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 4:34 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [NACCVirginia] Weds CLE: Representing Parents: (GAL credit) https://www.vacle.org/product/representing-parents-in-child-dependency-cases-8-21-2024/ Representing Parents in Child Dependency Cases—Tools for Effective Advocacy – Virginia Continuing Legal Education This registration form is for Wednesday, August 21, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A This program is also available on: Wednesday, September 25, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A MCLE Credit: 3.0 Live-Interactive Credit: 3.0 (all dates, all formats) GAL for Children CE Credit: 3.0 Pending (GAL Information) Designation Credit: 3.0 Divorce and Family Law www.vacle.org Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

https://www.vacle.org/product/representing-parents-in-child-dependency-cases-8-21-2024/ Representing Parents in Child Dependency Cases—Tools for Effective Advocacy – Virginia Continuing Legal Education This registration form is for Wednesday, August 21, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A This program is also available on: Wednesday, September 25, 1:00–4:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A Tuesday, November 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. ET Webcast with Live Q&A Telephone with Live Q&A MCLE Credit: 3.0 Live-Interactive Credit: 3.0 (all dates, all formats) GAL for Children CE Credit: 3.0 Pending (GAL Information) Designation Credit: 3.0 Divorce and Family Law www.vacle.org Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

If you haven't already, there's still time to register for NACC's conference! NACC's 47th National Child Welfare Law Conference Working Together, Working Differently: Justice, Compassion, and New Tools for Modern Advocacy Onsite Conference Salt Lake City, Utah August 12-14 Pre-conference and Career Fair August 11 Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City Dual Conference Registration Virtual Conference Online – from the comfort of your home September 11-13 Virtual Conference Registration 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. Plan Your Travel Fly to Salt Lake City on Delta Airlines and get a small discount when you use the meeting event code NY39G. A ticket on the UTA's TRAX Light Rail service is only $2.50 from the airport to downtown! Don't miss all of the great sessions we have planned for the 47th National Child Welfare Law Conference, including: LGBTQ+ Youth Under Attack: National Trends, Law & Policy Strategies, and Resources for Advocacy Trans youth’s healthcare has been heavily curtailed and 41% of LGBTQ+ youth report seriously considering suicide. 1 in 3 foster youth openly identify as LGBTQ+ yet child welfare systems provide few focused services, few LGBTQ friendly homes, and limited healthcare options. This workshop will discuss the effect the new laws have on transitioning youth, what services are still available, and resources for queer youth in foster care and turning 18. It will also discuss practical trial advocacy strategies and provide an overview of national and state law and policy, recommended practices, and publications which may help persuade judges and other stakeholders. Presenters: Danni Leader, JD, MSW, MSED – Fulton County Office of the Child Attorney Anissa Patton, JD, CWLS – Fulton County Office of the Child Attorney Preview everything we have planned in the conference program! Conference Program Second Annual Child Welfare Law Career Fair - Employer Registration Ends Today 8/11/2024 4:00pm – 6:00pm Attendee Registration Employer Registration 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. Additional Onsite Preconference Events Registration is also open for our preconference sessions: Red Book Training 8/11/2024 9:00am – 4:30pm 90s Dance Party 8/13/2024 7 – 10pm Learn more about NACC's Conference Legal advocacy for children, youth, parents, and kin is a specialized area of law which demands ongoing interdisciplinary training, education, and skill-building. NACC’s annual National Child Welfare Law Conference is designed to meet these demands. Our conference is a premier continuing legal education and community-building event for practitioners and policy advocates in child welfare, juvenile justice, and family law. More than 46 years of experience has gone into producing this annual training and networking experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to come together with your fellow advocates to learn, to network, and be inspired to take your advocacy to the next level. Join the national community of multidisciplinary advocates working to improve systems serving children, youth, parents, and kin. The NACC Conference is also a gathering place where our community convenes the National Advisory Council, State Coordinators, Board of Directors, Emeritus Board, Children's Law Office Project, and more! Over several days, leading experts from the fields of law, medicine, mental health, immigration, social work, education, and more will expand your understanding of child welfare law, explore its intersection with other fields, and provide practical tools to help further your practice and achieve the best possible outcomes for children, youth, parents, and kin. Whether you are a new attorney or an advanced practitioner, this informative and engaging program will advance your practice. We're thrilled to be in Utah this summer! We hope you'll join

I'm sorry I meant to send this yesterday! As of July 1, 2024, Va Code § 8.01-271.1 and Rule of Court Rule 1:5 allow for electronic signatures or digital image of the signature. Rule 1:5 (2) When such firm name is signed to a pleading, notice, or brief, the name of at least one individual member or associate of such firm must be signed to it. Any such pleading, notice, or brief may be signed electronically or by inclusion of a digital image of the signature. The electronic signature accompanying the document when filed constitutes that person’s signature on the document for purposes of Code § 8.01-271.1. § 8.01-271.1. Signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers; oral motions; sanctions. A. Except as otherwise provided in §§ 16.1-260 and 63.2-1901, every pleading, motion, or other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall be signed by at least one attorney of record who is an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar in his individual name, and the attorney's address shall be stated on the first pleading filed by that attorney in the action. A party who is not represented by an attorney, including a person confined in a state or local correctional facility proceeding pro se, shall sign his pleading, motion, or other paper and state his address. The signature of a person other than counsel of record who is an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar or a pro se litigant is not a valid signature. A minor who is not represented by an attorney shall sign his pleading, motion, or other paper by his next friend. Either or both parents of such minor may sign on behalf of such minor as his next friend. However, a parent may not sign on behalf of a minor if such signature is otherwise prohibited by subdivision 6 of § 64.2-716. The signature required by this section may be an electronic signature as defined in § 59.1-480 or a digital image of a signature. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed in compliance with this paragraph, it is defective. Such a defect renders the pleading, motion, or other paper voidable. Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

Resources from NACC: Children's Bureau Memorandum: Engaging, empowering, and utilizing family and youth voice in all aspects of child welfare to drive case planning and system improvement. : The purpose of this Information Memorandum (IM) is to demonstrate that family and youth voice are critical to a well-functioning child welfare system and to strongly encourage all public child welfare agencies, dependency courts, and Court Improvement Programs to work together to ensure that family and youth voice are central in child welfare program planning and improvement efforts. https://naccchildlaw.org/resource/engaging-empowering-and-utilizing-family-and-youth-voice-in-all-aspects-of-child-welfare-to-drive-case-planning-and-system-improvement-acyf-cb-im-19-03/ Advocating for Reasonable Efforts for LGBTQIA+ Youth in Foster Care: Attorneys representing children and youth in foster care cases have an affirmative duty to advance equity for their clients.1 This responsibility is particularly important when providing legal representation to LGBTQIA+2 youth, who experience disproportionate and disparate child welfare outcomes. NACC offers this tip sheet to help child welfare practitioners evaluate and ensure reasonable efforts3 for these clients. https://naccchildlaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NACC-LGBTQIATIPS-FLY-2405-r3.pdf "The Red Book:" Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases Save on the Red Book, Imperfect Condition - While Supplies Last ?Don’t judge a book by its cover – literally! Beauty is on the inside! If you don’t need a mint-condition copy of the Red Book, get an imperfect copy while supplies last at an even more affordable price! Imperfect Red Books may have minor wear or damage to covers, spine, or pages, but each copy is readable, useable, and has all of the content of the full price version. Full Price Red Book: $199 Member Price Red Book: $149 Imperfect Condition Red Book: $75 Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia State Coordinator, National Association of Counsel for Children Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

I can't recommend this book enough. It is invaluable. This is a rare opportunity to get one for less than half the non-member price! _________________________________________________________________________________________________ "The Red Book:" Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases Save on the Red Book, Imperfect Condition - While Supplies Last ?Don’t judge a book by its cover – literally! Beauty is on the inside! If you don’t need a mint-condition copy of the Red Book, get an imperfect copy while supplies last at an even more affordable price! Imperfect Red Books may have minor wear or damage to covers, spine, or pages, but each copy is readable, useable, and has all of the content of the full price version. Full Price Red Book: $199 Member Price Red Book: $149 Imperfect Condition Red Book: $75 You’re going to read and use this book a lot anyway, so why not get a copy that is already broken in, like your favorite pair of jeans? Only available while supplies last! ? NACC is proud to publish the fourth edition of Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases, also known as “the Red Book”. We’ve gathered both new and experienced practitioners to offer the ultimate guidebook for those who make child welfare advocacy their priority. Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

Hey Virginia Practitioners, below is the monthly NACC national newsletter! Also: if you have been considering joining NACC, the spring sale ends tomorrow: https://naccchildlaw.org/nacc-individual-memberships/ 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 Child Welfare Law Career Guide to help prepare people for careers in the child welfare law field. Visit our Student Hub to learn more about NACC Student Engagement. Currey Cook elected Board Secretary At its April meeting, the NACC Board of Directors 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 NACC's conference program to see presenters, sessions, and topics for the 47th National Child Welfare Law Conference. 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 Imperfect Condition Red Book 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. Learn more and submit a nomination. 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 May Webinar 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 ? Box lunch included. Learn More About Pre-Conference Red Book Training Counsel for Kids State Legislative Updates New Hampshire’s Children and Family Law Committee considered Senate Bill 463 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 written testimony. NACC State Coordinator Lisa Wolford also testified in support

Hello NACC Community and Child Welfare Practitioners, NACC’s annual 25% off individual membership sale is on now through the end of May! Join the NACC community or renew your membership to add on a full 12 months of membership. Review the steps to join and all member benefits below! This is a great time to join or renew with the upcoming 47th Annual National Child Welfare Law Conference. How to Join/Renew: If you are a member, log in to your profile first! Go to the Individual Membership Registration Page. Select the membership level, auto or manual renewal, and your billing cycle (annual or monthly). On the next page, apply the coupon code SPRINGSALE24 to receive 25% off of your membership dues. Proceed through the checkout process and complete your membership join/renewal! Contact Emily at Membership@... if you have any difficulties or questions. Join or Renew! Sale Alert! Child Welfare Law and Practice (The Red Book) - Imperfect Condition Don’t judge a book by its cover – literally! Beauty is on the inside! If you don’t need a mint-condition copy of the Red Book, get an imperfect copy while supplies last at an even more affordable price! Imperfect Red Books may have minor wear or damage to covers, spine, or pages, but each copy is readable, useable, and has all of the content of the full price version. ?Member Benefits: ?Monthly Member Webinars. NACC Members can join our monthly member webinars live or access the recordings later on our website. See pending and past webinar. Monthly Newsletters. Every month NACC produces The Advocate, which includes policy updates, partner news, in addition to NACC news and events. Quarterly Law Journal. Every quarter NACC publishes The Guardian. Newly updated, the journal includes feature articles, relevant research, practice tips, youth perspectives, and law office profiles. Prior issues and articles available as resources. National-Listserv. NACC's national listserv and state listservs provide practitioners an opportunity to share resources and make connections. Connect with practitioners from across the country. Discounts on NACC's 47th National Child Welfare Law Conference in Salt Lake City. Whether you join us in Salt Lake City or online, enjoy NACC's member conference discounts. Discounts on all NACC Products and Training. NACC Members receive discounts on Child Welfare Law and Practice (the "Red Book"), CWLS application fees, NACC's Red Book Training Course. NACC Conference Library. Access to 10 years of NACC Conference Materials National Association of Counsel for Children | www.NACCchildlaw.org Valerie L’Herrou, Virginia State Coordinator, NACC Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

Representing youth in foster care: When we hear from youth who are or who have been in foster care, they consistently express disappointment and frustration that their wishes were not considered while in care. As amended in 2017, Va Code Sec. 16.1-282.1 ("Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care") requires the court to consult with all children in care when it comes to permanency or transition plan. As far as I've been able to discern, courts are not doing this very often--nor is this tracked, despite there being a check box on the court's form. C. In each permanency planning hearing and in any hearing regarding the transition of the child from foster care to independent living, the court shall consult with the child in an age-appropriate manner regarding the proposed permanency plan or transition plan for the child, unless the court finds that such consultation is not in the best interests of the child. Additionally, a statutory change to Va Code Sec. 16.1-281 in 2021 lowered the age at which youth should be involved in the creation of their foster care plan: The representatives of such department or agency shall involve a child who is 14 12 years of age or older in the development of the plan and, at the option of such child, up to two members of the case planning team who are chosen by the child and who are not a foster parent of, or caseworker for, the child. A child under 14 12 years of age may be involved in the development of the plan if such involvement is consistent with the best interests of the child. In cases where either the parent(s) or child is not involved in the development of the plan, the department or agency shall include in the plan a full description of the reasons therefor. For GALs representing the interests of youth age 12 and over, the NACC provides a useful "tipsheet" --attached!--for engaging youth in the creation of their foster care plans -- and in the permanency planning that will impact their life and future. Valerie Valerie L’Herrou Deputy Director, Center for Family Advocacy Virginia Poverty Law Center 919 East Main Street, Suite 610 Richmond, VA 23219 Direct/Mobile Line: (804) 351-5276 Fax: (804) 649-0974 vplc.org http://www.learnyourrightsva.org/

April 2024 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. Learn more and submit a nomination. In March, NACC’s Executive Director Kim Dvorchak: Presented on Pro Bono for Children’s Rights with Angela Vigil, Baker McKenzie and Chris Tirrell, Google at the Pro Bono Institute Conference in Washington, DC. Served as a supreme court judge for final round of the National Moot Court Competition in Child Welfare and Adoption Law in Columbus, OH. Presented on Emerging Trends for Emerging Adults with Felipe Franco, Annie E Casey Foundation and Derrell Frazier, REFORM Alliance (see photo) at the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Juvenile Justice Conference in Cleveland, OH. Joined child welfare and transportation leaders on Hop Skip Drive’s Equitable Access to Transportation Advisory Council. Presented on A,B,C’s & G’s of Youth Representation with Sneha Barve, ABA Center on Children and the Law, and John Pollock, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel in a briefing for the Legal Services Funder Network. NACC's Allison Green in the New York Times The New York Times quoted NACC Legal Director Allison Green on the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children in a piece on the intersection of family separation, interstate practices, and the politiciziation of immigration policy. “Applying the compact to parents who simply live out of state, when there is no finding or even allegation of wrongdoing, is unconstitutional and harmful to children,” said Green. The Role of Foster/Resource Parents in Dependency Hearings April 16, 10:30am - 12:00 noon MT Licensed non-relative family placements are crucial for the well-being of children in dependency cases and are integral to achieving permanency for families. In this webinar, we will delve into: Assessment of foster parent support for established case permanency goals; Effective strategies for court presentation and consideration of foster parent involvement in achieving permanency; and Advocacy surrounding the varying levels of foster parent involvement in dependency proceedings. Presenter Shannon Felder, JD, CWLS, NACC Training Director April Webinar Spring Online Red Book Training Course April 16 through June 4 Tuesdays from 3:00 – 4:30pm MT The Red Book Training Course is an exciting opportunity for practitioners to brush up on their knowledge of federal child welfare law and learn tips to enhance their representation of children, parents, or the agency. NACC’s signature Red Book Training Course covers major dependency practice competency areas and is designed to assist you in preparing for the Child Welfare Law Specialist examination. The 2024 course will include material based on the Fourth Edition of Child Welfare Law and Practice: Representing Children, Parents, and Agencies in Neglect, Abuse, and Dependency Cases. During weekly webinars, the presenter will assist participants in breaking the material down, focusing on important concepts, and learning CWLS exam-taking strategies. Spring Red Book Training Course Careers in Child Welfare Law: HBCU Edition April 19 at Noon MT To support the pipeline of diverse students into child law careers, NACC is excited to host Careers in Child Welfare Law: HBCU Edition. All students in law school or interested in attending law school are welcome to join us as we highlight legal careers in criminal defense of minors, legal representation in child welfare proceedings (parent, child, state, or department), and/or policy advocacy. Visit our Student Hub to learn more about NACC Student Engagement. Careers in Child Welfare Law: HBCU Edition Compassionate Advocacy: Integrating Trauma-Informed Practices for an Enhanced Legal Practice May 21, 12: