Child Welfare Court Improvement Project (CWCIP) trainings are provided to support practice and systems change at the intersection and influence of the legal/judicial and child welfare systems.
The content of these programs is appropriate for all attorneys. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits are available as specified for each session and provided by the Division of Policy and Planning (DPP). Attorney Affirmation Forms are provided with the materials for each training. Follow the instructions on the form to submit for CLE credit. You can expect to receive your CLE certificate via email within 30 days.
Recent Trainings (click training title for video)
FAMILIES KNOW BEST: LISTEN AND LEARN, SEEN AND HEARD
Beginning June 1st, the Office for Justice Initiatives’ Child Welfare Court Improvement Project will host a two-part virtual series designed to provide information on protecting family integrity and unity.
PART 1: FAMILY PRESERVATION | Transcript | Materials
This program will provide a legal framework of what federal and state laws require, highlight the perspective of what families need to stay together in their own homes as a family unit, and identify ways to help shrink “the system” and mitigate the harms of government intervention into families, by eliminating unnecessary and harmful interventions. Presenters: Christine Bruno. Esq., Josh Corbo, Miriam Mack, Esq., and Dr. Tricia Stephens
HISTORY AND HARMS OF REMOVALS AND FAMILY SEPARATION
This program will discuss the individual, collective, and intergenerational (historical) traumas that the system has perpetrated on different groups over time, demonstrating how the system was created to separate families, and the need to urgently transform it to preserve families and cultural integrity. The program will highlight racial equity issues and implicit bias using data and best practices. Presenters: Professor Dorothy Roberts and Shereen White.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
This last half hour of the program will include a roundtable/panel discussion with key takeaways from people with lived experience expertise. Presenters: Angela Olivia Burton, Esq., Blessins Brown, Jenny Stansfield, Josh Corbo, and Joyce McMillan.
PART 2: Video | Transcript
Presenter Bios
Participation of Children in Their Permanency Hearings
ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION
This program will begin with a round-table discussion moderated by Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina G. Richardson between people with lived child welfare system experience about what is most helpful and effective for successful and sustainable reunifications.
Presenters: Coral Mrozik, Deonna Jones, Larry Smith, Jr., and Nadirra Hakeem
EFFECTIVE EFFORTS
This program will examine reasonable efforts and make the case for a more transparent system using family-led service planning with concrete steps and supported goals focused on the issues surrounding safety and reunification. What can WE do to return the child home today/achieve permanency today?
Presenters: Honorable Jacqueline Deane and Christine Keisel, Esq.
BEST PRACTICES FOR SUCCESSFUL REUNIFICATIONS
This program will be moderated by Coral Mrozik and will highlight best practices and recommendations including timely assignment of counsel, using preliminary court conferences, SMART service planning, team-decision meetings, family team meetings, and quality permanency hearings. The program will also examine the foster caregiver role in partnering with parents as a resource to them and the importance of using trauma informed care and solution-focused strategies by practitioners.
Presenters: Honorable Joan Kohout, Amanda Oren, Esq., AFC Steve Weisbeck, Esq., and Commissioner Thalia Wright
Here are two links referencing the ‘Four Questions, Seven Judges’ practice in Iowa that Christine Kiesel, Esq., highlighted during her presentation today, as well as the law citation from Stephen Weisbeck, Esq., regarding participation of children in court hearings.
https://findbrightspots.org/bright-spots-library/four-questions-seven-judges/
https://aliainnovations.egnyte.com/dl/YLL3zpRvba
- What can we do to remove the danger instead of the child?
- Can someone the child or family knows move into the home to remove the danger?
- Can the caregiver and child go live with a relative or fictive kin?
- Could the child move temporarily to live with another relative or fictive kin?
NEW YORK STATE IMPLEMENTATION OF FAMILY FIRST PREVENTION SERVICES ACT
This three-part series provides information on how the Office of Children and Family Services and the Courts are implementing key components of the FFPSA.
PART 1: FFPSA AND KINSHIP (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 1/31/2022
In 2020, OCFS released two administrative directives related to improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Blind Removal Process and Kin-First Firewall Practice. These two directives together have created extensive discussions on how the child welfare system needs to continue to evolve to promote racial equity and support family preservation through kinship. Presenters include Barbara Green-Flood (OCFS), John Thompson (Principal Education Specialist for the Professional Development Program at Rockefeller College) and Sonia Meyer (OCFS Associate Counsel).
PART 2: COURT REVIEWS, CONGREGATE CARE, QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM (QRTP) (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 1/31/2022
This presentation focuses on the role and function of the Qualified Individual (QI), including required training, the structured decision-making process for the QI, and the QRTP. Additionally, presenters discussed the required court review of the QI assessment and determination. Presenters include Hon. Michele Pirro Bailey (Onondaga County Family Court), Hon. Alicea Elloras-Ally (Kings County Family Court) and Gail Geohagen-Pratt (OCFS Associate Commissioner).
PART 3: PREVENTION (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 1/31/2022
This program provides an overview of the Family First Prevention Plan, including the state’s definition of candidacy as well as the proposed implementation plan. Presenters include Renee Hallock (OCFS Associate Commissioner for the Office of Prevention, Permanency and Program Support), Dr. Rebecca Colman (OCFS Director of the Bureau of Research, Evaluation and Performance Analytics) and Sonia Meyer (OCFS Associate Counsel).
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT (ICWA) TRAINING SERIES: WHAT IT IS, WHY IT IS REQUIRED, AND WHY IT MATTERS
PART 1: ICWA "NUTS AND BOLTS" (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 12/31/2021
This program provides an overview of ICWA by Hon. Carrie Garrow of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Heather LaForme from the NYS Office for Children and Family Services.
PART 2: WHEN ICWA APPLIES TO CUSTODY, PINS & PRIVATE ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 12/31/2021
This program provides an overview of the Family Court Act related to ICWA, particularly highlighting Art. 6, Art. 7 and private adoption proceedings, by Hon. Carrie Garrow of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and Heather LaForme from the NYS Office for Children and Family Services.
CHILD WELFARE AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (CW & SUD)
This project is supported by Grant #2020-AR-BX-K002 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.
CW & SUD: TRAUMA (1.5 hrs) | Transcript
Trauma often plays a significant role in child welfare cases, impacting individuals at all levels including children, parents, and family as well as staff. Evidence-based interventions can prevent further trauma and treat individuals affected by traumatic experiences. This presentation also discusses the mental health toll on staff working within the child welfare system and identifies effective self-care strategies. Presenters include Hon. Rachel Tanguay, (Rockland County Family Treatment Court) and Dr. Lipi Roy (Housing Works Medical Director).
CW & SUD: ADAPTING FAMILY TREATMENT COURT BEST PRACTICES TO RURAL COMMUNITIES (1.5 hrs) | The recording has closed caption capability. If you need an additional reasonable accommodation to access the content of this presentation, please contact Ralph L. Wolf, Esq. at [email protected].
Rural communities face significant barriers to services where families involved in the child welfare system also have issues with Substance Use Disorder. Examples of barriers include limited access to adequate housing, transportation, service providers and internet access, isolation, and poverty. This session explores the unique challenges and strengths of supporting families with SUD and co-occurring disorders and child welfare involvement in rural communities.
CONSIDERATIONS IN THE INTERSTATE COMPACT ON THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN (ICPC) PROCESS (1.5 hrs) | Transcript | Materials
CLE Credit is available for this program through 12/31/2021
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) provides an overview of the ICPC process including the role of the judicial and legal system, followed by best practices and decision-making considerations. Presenters include Sonia Meyer (OCFS Associate Counsel) and Carol McCarthy (OCFS Director of Adoption Services).