July 2025 – June 2026 Webinars & Training Materials
This four-part series will help you build up your team in hopes of a massive win for your clients. We are tackling experts! We will be giving you the alley-oop on different expert witness topics each session so that by the end, you will be ready to slam dunk at your next expert witness trial. In Session 1, we go over the basics in finding and retaining an expert, as well as drafting an expert witness disclosure. In Session 2, we go through all the plays for qualifying your expert witness. In Session 3, we prep you to get your expert in the game by showing you how to elicit an expert opinion. And in Session 4, we turn up the heat on the other side, challenging their experts and managing difficult opposing expert witnesses. Get ready for The Big (Expert) Dance! Approved for 1.5 CLE for each session with prework.
Session # 1: The Basics in Finding, Retaining, and Doing an Expert Witness Disclosure
Slides – March Expert Witness Madness Session 1 FINAL
Session #2: Qualifying the Expert Witness
Slides – March Expert Witness Madness Session 2 Final
Session #3: Eliciting the Expert Opinion
Slides – March Expert Witness Madness Session 3 Final
Session #4: Challenging Experts
Slides – Session 4 PDF March Expert Witness Madness
Training Materials:
Session 1
Expert Billing & Setup Advisory 9 24 25
March Expert Witness Madness Session 1– Chat Ideas that were shared
Session 2
March Expert Witness Madness Session 2 Chat
Session 3
March Madness Sample Substance Use Evaluation
March Madness Sample Direct Final
Session 4
Learn how to challenge clinical and administrative decisions by DCF with this overview of the fundamentals of Fair Hearings, including how to appeal adverse hearing decisions to superior court. Fair hearings are an important tool for any CAFL trial or pre-petition attorney that can lead to real, tangible results for parent, children, and young adult clients. Approved for 1 CAFL CLE. Presented by Megan Deeley, CAFL Litigation Support Attorney ([email protected])
Slides – Fair Hearings – Administrative Challenges to DCF Decisions
Webinar: Parental Capacity for Lawyers. This webinar takes an in depth look at what is “parental capacity”? How is it evaluated? What is your role? Licensed psychologist Dr. Ronald Molin (you might know him from last year’s But Why? Communicating & Collaborating With Kids About Being in Care training) will walk us through the uses and limits of parental capacity evaluations in state intervention cases, appropriate evaluation questions, the evaluation process, and best evaluation practices. We’ll also cover what to do after the evaluation is complete, with tips for reading reports critically and challenging adverse findings. Approved for 3 CAFL CLEs
Handouts – Parental Capacity for Lawyers – Jan 22 2026
From Racial to Cultural Bias — Expanding the Lens in Family Defense”. Explore how reframing bias through a cultural lens can strengthen legal strategy and reduce courtroom defensiveness when challenging racial bias in DCF cases. Building on how to identify and challenge racial bias in the language DCF uses for our clients, presenters Laura Openshaw and Dr. Aleesha Young will discuss how they have experienced this in practice and share practical guidance on attorney/expert collaborations in litigation. Approved for 1.5 CLE credits.
Part 1 – From Racial to Cultural Bias
Part 2 – From Racial to Cultural Bias
Part 3 – From Racial to Cultural Bias
Part 4 – From Racial to Cultural Bias
Training Materials:
In this webinar, experts from the CPCS Immigration Impact Unit and Prisoner’s Legal Services of Massachusetts discuss current ICE enforcement and high risks for noncitizen parents, review the complex decisions noncitizen parents are managing while detained in either state or federal detention, learn how to locate and stay connected with noncitizen clients while in detention, and brainstorm CAFL strategies to zealously advocate to preserve your clients’ rights.
Slides-Representing Parents in ICE Detention Training 12 10 25
For tools and resources visit the CAFL Immigration Page.
In this webinar, the CAFL Legal Response Team debunks common myths in our practice and give you the tools to fight back against these mythical legends. No, not sasquatches and aliens, but myths about young adult services, family time, and DCF court reports to name just a few. Did you miss one of the Myth Busters this year or want a quick refresher on all the myths that were busted this year? Well, this is your chance.
Slides-Myth Busters Year in Review 2025
See all our Mythbusters here.
Each year CAFL hosts a two-part webinar on medical and mental health treatment decisions for children involved in state intervention cases (aka “Rogers” training). New CAFL attorneys, staff and private, are required to attend within their first two years of practice. In Part 1, clinicians review mental health and substance use disorder treatment, as well as gender affirming medical care, for children. In Part 2, we review the legal framework for consent to medical and mental health treatment and discuss practical strategies to advocate effectively for parents and children regarding that treatment.
Slides-Part 1: Overview of Psychotropic Use in Minors
Slides-Part 1-Gender Affirming Care 2025
Slides-Part 1: Care and Resources for Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders 2025
Slides-Rogers Training Part 2 Legal – Nov 19 2025
Psychotropic Use Case Examples
In this webinar we focus on the unique barriers Non-Citizen Youth face and how to navigate them. We hear from attorneys who represent transition age youth and from experts in the field. Dr. Margo Townley, Psy.D, describes the trauma Non-Citizen Youth face with living in fear of deportation and having to navigate independence in a new country. Delmaliz Montes De Oca, MSW, LCSW, discusses her success and obstacles with her transitioning youth client and how trauma informed interviewing was key to developing a strong client relationship. CAFL practitioners and IIU staff review litigation strategies practices to best support Non-Citizen Transition Age Youth.
Slides-Representing Non Citizen Transition Aged Youth 11 6 25
This summer, the Governor signed into law An Act Protecting Benefits Owed to Foster Children. This law amends Chapter 119 to impose numerous obligations on DCF regarding children’s federal social security and SSI benefits. Most significantly, the new law now mandates the current practice of allowing children to keep 100% of their benefits and prohibits DCF from using those benefits to reimburse itself (or the state) for the cost of foster care or for other items it would normally purchase for children in its custody. It also imposes new requirements regarding screening for eligibility; submission of applications for benefits and to become the child’s representative payee; provision of benefit information to parties and their counsel; and financial literacy training.
Slides – Protecting Benefits Owed to Children in Foster Care
SSA Benefits Practice Advisory rev. Oct 2025
FY26 Budget Outside Sections – Protecting Benefits Owed to Children in Foster Care
Learn about the new parentage statute, de facto parentage, the new memorandum of understanding between the Juvenile and Probate and Family Court, as well as review of filing of parentage actions and 209C complaints.
Slides – New Parentage Statute and Probate and Family Court Protocol
Training Materials
FAQ and Flow Chart – De Facto Parentage (rev Oct 2025)
Motion to Accept Complaint Under G.L. c. 209C §25 (De Facto Parentage Complaint)
Practice Advisory – Juvenile Court & Probate Court Memorandum of Understanding
Juvenile Court & Probate Court Memorandum of Understanding aka Process
Juvenile Court Form JV-279 – Request for Custody Order Juvenile Court & Probate Court Protocol
Motion to Issue Order of Impoundment for Documents Transmitted to the Probate & Family Court
A.D. v. K.S., 495 Mass. 727 (2025)
Care and Protection of Jaylen, 493 Mass. 798 (2024)
Adoption of Xaden, 104 Mass. App. Ct. 523 (2024)
Adoption of Arlene, 101 Mass. App. Ct. 326 (2022)
Case Summary – Adoption of Arlene, 101 Mass. App. Ct. 326 (2022)
Dep’t of Revenue v. B.P., 412 Mass. 1015 (1992)
Care and Protection of Benjamin, 403 Mass. 24 (1988)
IIU – CAFL Lunch and Learn session on September 3, 2025, 1pm-2pm. We will discuss the latest DHS Directive regarding Detention and Removal of Noncitizen Parents and key implications it has for both noncitizen children and parents when noncitizen parents are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or face imminent deportation, and the CAFL attorney’s role. Approved for 1 CAFL CLEs.
Training Materials:
Slides ICE Directive Lunch and Learn Sept. 2025
CAFL training presents a Zoom webinar on the changes made to the Massachusetts Juvenile Court Rules. These changes are coming to a courthouse near you on August 4. We will highlight what the new versions are and what they may mean to CAFL clients and practice. The new rules include updates to the rules governing the 72-hour hearing, motion practice, the court investigator’s report, pre-trial practice, and trial. Approved for 1.5 CAFL CLEs.
Slides-New Juvenile Court Rules
Training Materials:
Juvenile Court Rules for the Care and Protection of Children (eff. August 4, 2025)
Juvenile Court Rules Important Changes
July 2024 – June 2025 Webinars & Training Materials
APSU presents, The Best Unpublished Cases of 2024. In this training you will learn what is an unpublished decision and how to find them. We will cover the proper citation format, the notable 2024 decisions and the best practices on the notable 23.0 topics.
Slides-Best Unpublished (Rule 23.0) Decisions of 2024
Are you representing a parent (or a child with a parent) living in another state who is seeking custody? Have you read the Appeals Court’s 2023 and 2024 decisions in Adoption of Knox & Adoption of Xaden?
Do you understand what these cases say about the application of the ICPC to parents? Read on to learn why fit parents and their children should no longer be waiting months to reunify.
CAFL-Slides-Application of ICPC to Parents June 2025
Training Materials:
CAFL-Proposed Juvenile Court Rule 22 on ICPC
Need a refresher on parentage in C&Ps? Curious about how the new Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA) affects your advocacy? Open to all CAFL practitioners! The new MPA, effective January 1, 2025, updates our state law on establishing and recognizing legal parent-child relationships. The new law includes and protects more families and individuals, including LGBTQ+, families formed through assisted reproduction, and de facto parents. In this training we will briefly review the nuts of bolts of establishing parentage and then take a deeper dive into the changes and additions in the new MPA. We will conclude by discussing how the new MPA, and in particular the creation of a new cause of action for de factor parentage, is implicated in your daily C&P practice and litigation strategies. This training is approved for 1.5 CAFL CLEs.
Slides-Mass Parentage Act-Implication for C&Ps June 2025
Training Materials:
Case Summary – A.D. v. K.S., 495 Mass. 727 (2025)
Case Summary – Adoption of Arlene, 101 Mass. App. Ct. 326 (2022)
This session is part II featuring Professor Kate Fort, a nationally recognized scholar in the field of federal Indian law, with specific expertise in the Indian Child Welfare Act and tribal child welfare systems. In this training Kate provides a review of the core components of ICWA. Approved for 2 CAFL CLEs.
This session is a follow up to our joint CPCS/DCF Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa training for defense attorneys. Immigration Impact Unit (IIU) attorney Fabrizia Rodriguez discusses advising parent and child clients about SIJ, strategic litigation when filing predicate orders, navigating barriers to filing, and look deeper into the specific ways SIJ can arise in the various proceedings we are appointed for. Approved for 1 CAFL CLE.
Slides-SIJ for Defense Attorneys March 18 2025
Training Materials:
Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Visa is an immigration benefit provided to children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by at least one of their parents. SIJ provides legal status which is an important mechanism for children to achieve permanency. This training, jointly sponsored by DCF and CPCS, focuses on the practical steps for obtaining SIJ for our child and young adult clients. It provides an overview of Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa for undocumented children, our roles in the Child Welfare system, and a detailed look into drafting the required Motion for Special Findings. Approved for 2 CAFL CLEs.
Slides-Special Immigrant Juvenile Status March 6, 2025
Training Materials:
This 4-part series will focus on one type of document each week we should be doing MILs on, including affidavits, 51As, 51Bs, and Court Investigation Reports. In the first quarter of each session, we will review ‘the playbook’ (a short review of the law for that document). In the second quarter, we will share how some of us ‘scout’ the document for stuff to exclude. In the third quarter, we will call the ‘fouls’ (arguments to strike) we have already come up with in the model motion and beyond, and in the fourth quarter, you will get to make some ‘free throws’ (sharing any of your other arguments) with us. After each training, we will update the model motion, and all attendees will receive a copy of the new ‘slam dunk’ model motion for your own road to glory on the court…in court!
In this first session of March Motions in Limine Madness we will be reviewing the playbook (law) for 51As and scouting a sample 51A for objections.
Slides-March Motions in Limine Madness Session 1 – 51As
This is the second session of March Motions in Limine Madness where we will be reviewing the playbook (law) for 51Bs and scouting a sample 51B for objections.
Slides-March Motions in Limine Madness Session 2 – 51Bs
In this third session we will be reviewing the playbook (law) for the petition and scouting a sample petition for objections.
Slides-March Motions in Limine Madness Session 3 – Petition
The final session we will be reviewing the playbook (law) for the court investigation report and scouting a sample court investigation for objections.
Slides-March Motions in Limine Madness Session 4 – Court Investigation Report
Training Materials:
Session 1
51A Arguments – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 1 – 51As
Sample 51A – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 1 – 51As
Session 2
Sample 51B – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 2 – 51Bs
51B Arguments – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 2 – 51Bs
Session 3
Petition Arguments – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 3 – Petition
Sample Petition – March Motions in Limine Madness Session 3 – Petition
Session 4
Have you questioned whether you really need to attend that foster care review? Is it really worth making the time in my busy schedule? The answer to both is YES! Foster care reviews are key opportunities to advocate for your client, build on your theory of the case, and, perhaps most importantly, provide your client a voice at the table in case planning. They can also be an important time to learn what is going on with your child client, because we all know child’s counsel is the last to know everything. In this training, participants will learn the mechanics of foster care reviews, how to effectively prepare yourself and your client, and how decisions made at the review affect the trajectory of the case. Participants will also learn how to actively advocate for clients before, during, and after the review and use information presented in hearing and trial preparation.
Slides-Leveraging Foster Care Reviews in Client Advocacy
Training Materials
DCF Foster Care Review Regulations
Closing arguments are a critical part of your advocacy for your client in a family regulation trial. Giving a powerful closing feels great and can be a lot of fun! You create a roadmap for the judge to arrive at your desired outcome with your argument. Your client is almost certainly living in poverty, powerless against this behemoth of a system, and likely a member of another marginalized group. Closing arguments are a way to tell your client’s story in the most authentic way and honor their experience. This session will provide guidance on how and when to write your closing most effectively, how to make your delivery as powerful as possible, and demonstrate these skills inaction.
Slies-Closing Time: Persuasion & Performance
Training Materials
Each year CAFL hosts a two-part webinar on medical and mental health treatment decisions for children involved in state intervention cases (aka “Rogers” training). In the first session, clinicians review mental health and substance use disorder treatment, as well as gender affirming medical care, for children.
Slides-Golden Ticket to Accessing Care and Resources for Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders
Slides-Psychotropics in Minors
In the second session, we review the legal framework for consent to medical and mental health treatment and discuss practical strategies to advocate effectively for parents and children regarding that treatment.
Slides-Rogers Fall 2024 Day 2 – legal
Training Materials:
This webinar reviews the complex law of sibling contact under the sibling visitation statute and recent case law. Topics include: (1) G.L. c. 119, § 26B(b); (2) what siblings are covered by the statute; (3) what should happen automatically (by DCF and court), and what needs a request/petition; (4) service of process (that is, when mailing a motion isn’t good enough); (5) burden of proof and standard of review; (6) best interest factors; (7) constitutional considerations; and (8) things to consider and address when briefing these issues.
Slides-Sibling Contact for the Appellate Attorney
Training Materials:
Practice Advisory Securing Posttermination and Postadoption Sibling Visits 6.14.24
Sample Petition for Sibling Visits Updated 7.24
Sibling Placement and Visitation Memo on Clinical Studes (2021 update)
For the past several months, we have kept you apprised of changes DCF is making with respect to the SSI and survivors benefits it receives as representative payee on behalf of children in foster care. As of January 2024, DCF stopped taking children’s survivors’ benefits to reimburse itself for the cost of the child’s care, and instead began placing 100% of the funds into the child’s personal needs account (PNA). This webinar will update you on DCF’s practices with respect to children’s benefits, show you how to find information about your client’s benefits on the DCF attorney portal and talk about what to expect in the future.
Update on Children’s Social Security Benefits -Slides
Training Materials:
Protecting Federal Benefits of Children in Foster Care Resource List rev. 7.16.24
July 2023 – June 2024 Webinars & Training Materials
Earlier this year, the Juvenile Court in Hampden County began accepting cases for its new Family Treatment Court (FTC). The Juvenile Courts in Fall River and Lawrence are the next two locations to roll out the FTC. While the start dates are uncertain, CAFL would like to begin educating our practitioners about the FTC. In this webinar, we will provide a basic overview of the family treatment court model, including its purpose, goals and efficacy. Presenters include ret. Judge Beth Crawford, who led the FTC in the Franklin County Probate and Family Court, and Marisa Hebble, Senior Manager for Behavioral Health, Executive Office of the Trial Court.
Slides – Introduction to Family Treatment Court in Massachusetts handout
Training Materials:
EOTC Transmittal 22-7 Update Court Policy Concerning MAT
Juvenile Court Family Treatment Court webpage
SJC Standards on Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions
Children and Family Futures Animated Video about Family Treatment Court
Remember the most excellent first and second episode of Adulting for Lawyers: Representing Transition Age Youth? Come join us on Zoom June 11 from 1 to 4:30 pm for the third part of the training. A keynote will provide inspiration and practical advice, the rest of the program will provide information and tools to do the work as well as perspectives from those with lived experience. We will talk about helping transition age youth navigate DCF, whether they plan to stay with DCF or leave. We will hear from experts on topics including housing, longtime family connections, and finding other resources for our emerging adult clients. There will be a keynote address from Julie Segovia, Vice President, Research, Policy, & Learning of Hopewell, Inc. and someone with lived experience in the system.
Transition_Age_Youth_PP_Handout.pdf
Training Materials:
2024-Staff-Phone-Directory-June.docx
Allowable services for a Social Worker: Word Document (will be made available soon!)
Housing-Resources-For-Consults.docx
TAY-Provider-Contact-List-Updated-12.21.2023.docx
Transition_Guide_Final_1.30.23_Final.pdf
Transitioning-out-of-DCF-Amy-Ponte-PP.pdf
Allowable-services-for-a-Social-Worker 2025
This webinar reviews the law of posttermination and postadoption parent child contact under the case law and provides tips for appellate attorneys to raise the issue in their briefs. Topics include: (1) the Juvenile Court’s authority to issue post-termination & post-adoption parent-child contact orders; (2) the “rules” governing these issues; (3) burden of proof and standard of review; (4) best interest factors; (5) the meaning of the second prong of Ilona; (6) constitutional considerations; and (7) things to consider before you brief these issues.
Slides-Posttermination and Postadoption Parent Child Contact for the Appellate Attorney
Part 1: May 14, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm
Thousands of children are separated from their families every year in the name of “child welfare.” In this session, Professor Shanta Trivedi (author of “The Harm of Child Removal” and the forthcoming article “‘Am I Still a Parent?’ The Devastating Effects of Family Policing on Parents”) will examine the harms that children and parents experience in the family regulation system, and discuss strategies to help practitioners identify, prevent and/or mitigate these harms. You can learn more about Professor Trivedi here.
Part 2: May 23, 2024, 2:00-4:00pm
Custody decisions aren’t just about the parents and their conduct; the court also must consider the harm to the child from removal, family separation, and placement in the foster system. Our judges don’t always agree, though. In this session we will discuss the relevant legal requirements in Massachusetts, share practice tips, and introduce resources the working group has developed to help attorneys litigate the harms of removal.
Training Materials:
Litigation Tools
Sample Cross Exam of DCF Worker (with Documents Cited)
Parent’s Motion for Funds, Affidavit of Counsel, Motion to File Under Seal
Child’s Motion for Funds, Affidavit of Counsel, Motion to File Under Seal
Affidavit of Jessica P. Greenwald O’Brien, Ph.D.
Model Direct Exam of Jessica P. Greenwald O’Brien, Ph.D.
Proposed Findings & Conclusions
Social Science Research
In this series we hear from Hasan Davis, who proudly shares his journey from “Hasan Davis, Juvenile Delinquent” to “Hasan Davis, Juris Doctor.” He promises to inspire all of us to see ourselves as pivotal change agents (“hope dealers”) for youth and provide us with the tools we need to engage, encourage, and empower the youth in our communities.
Cultural Humility Series – Hasan Davis-Calling All Hope Dealers 2024 Slides
Families of color ensnared in the family regulation system face multiple layers of systemic racism as they fight to keep their families intact. As practitioners endeavoring to challenge state oppression, it is vital to address racial bias and treatment as they manifest in each of our cases. Using statistical data and research that underscores existing racism can be powerfully persuasive when your client needs to address issues of race in the court room. This training will help you find, interpret, and use data on racial disparities and race-based research to further your advocacy. It will provide an overview of publicly available resources, explain how to read and interpret data, and review the process of requesting publicly held information. We hope to use the full two hours of this session to not only present information but allow participants to brainstorm through hypotheticals and use the tools they have learned in planning how to find and use case specific data.
We have created a google dox with a list of Public Data Cities and Research Studies on Race and the Family Regulation System. We will continue to add and update this document. If you have a resource you would like to share with your colleagues, please email [email protected].
Training Materials:
Using-Data-to-Advance-Race-Equity-Freitas-Freitas-PP-Handout-with-Answer-Key-March-2024.pdf
Data-Overview-in-CAFL-Cases-E.-Knight-March-2024.pdf
PRR-response-1-redacted-2024.pdf
PRR-request-template-1-TPR-and-legal-orphanhood-March-2024.docx
Many of our clients struggle with substance use disorders. The traditional court system has historically penalized our clients for what is now known as the natural course of sobriety which includes relapse. We are excited about the new Family Treatment Court in Hampden County (“FTC”). The FTC offers our clients a path to sobriety that has the potential to speed the process of reunification in a less formal and more supportive environment while helping them pursue recovery.
As anticipated, there are many questions about the FTC. During the training you will have an opportunity to hear from someone with lived experience of the Family Treatment Court in Franklin County as well as court staff and CAFL. We will give a brief overview of the challenges our parent clients with substance use disorder face, discuss why FTC can be beneficial to our clients, and how it works. We will also cover advising clients about it, the role of counsel in FTC cases, and dispelling misconceptions about FTC.
Slides-Nuts & Bolts of Family Treatment Court
Training Materials
Family Treatment Court What Works – Fact Sheet
Is Family Treatment Court for Your Client 3 4 24
Family Treatment Court Operational Manual 1.2024
Family Treatment Court Tips for Lawyers Representing the Participating Parent 3 4 24
Family Treatment Court in Hampden County 3 6 24
Family Treatment Court Manual for Parents 11.2023
Research has shown that the frequency and quality of family time significantly impacts the chances for reunification and leads to more positive outcomes for children. This makes ensuring frequent, quality family time a cornerstone of every C&P and CRA. Over the course of two afternoons, we provide an overview of the law of “visitation” – including DCF’s obligations, and the court’s sources of authority to enter orders. Using an interactive format, we discuss strategies for successfully negotiating and litigating for meaningful family time and share tips for removing barriers to positive family time experiences.
Day 1 – March 4th
Day 2 – March 14th
Negotiating-Zinging-ppt-handout-March-2024.pdf
Training Materials
Family-Time-Training-Agenda-March-2024.docx
Family-Time-Hypo-and-Participant-Instructions-March-2024.docx
Casey-Family-Services-Family-Time.pdf
Clinical-Issues-Excerpt-from-Practitioners-Guide-March-2024.docx
Family-Time-Excerpt-from-Practitioners-Guide-March-2024.docx
Sample-Expert-Affidavit-re-Visits-to-Protect-Parent-Child-Attachment-March-2024.docx
US-Childrens-Bureau-Information-Memo-on-Family-Time-March-2024.pdf
Now, for the first time ever, CAFL is releasing performance standards for handling Child Requiring Assistance cases. The new standards will take effect February 19, 2024. They are being added to the Assigned Counsel Manual, available on CPCS’s website at Assigned Counsel Manual – CPCS Website (publiccounsel.net) and can be reviewed here. We will be offering several sessions by Zoom to guide you through the standards, which you can register for below! We also plan to make a recording available should you be unable to attend one of the sessions. Please do not hesitate to contact your AIC, mentor, Resource Attorney, or Trial Panel Support Unit liaison with any questions. Thank you for helping us advance the representation of clients in CRA cases.
Slides-Guide to CRA Performance Standards
Training Materials:
Listening is a core skill for professionals who serve families and children. Yet, when was the last time you truly listened? Do you know what truly listening entails? Join your colleagues for this multidisciplinary workshop with experts on Listening to LISTEN and engage with your clients in a new and empowering way by refining your listening skills in the new year!
The CAFL Racial Justice Task Force (RJTF) cordially invites you to this year’s Fall Meeting with Roxanna Asgarian, author of We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America. The book investigates the case of a white couple, who drove off a cliff and committed murder-suicide with their six adopted Black children. And through years of research and interviews, journalist Roxanna Asgarian shines a light on a child welfare system that refused to see the abuse suffered by these children prior to their murder.
The book has been called, “A harrowing account…[and] a powerful critique of [the] foster care system…We Were Once a Family is a wrenching book” by The New York Times, and “A riveting indictment of the child welfare system…[A] bracing gut punch of a book” by The Washington Post.
July 2022 – June 2023 Webinars & Training Materials
Our Cultural Humility Series this year concludes with workshop on kinship care. Topics include the importance of kinship care for children and families; how kinship care can preserve a child’s culture and identify; legal pathways in the Juvenile and Probate and Family courts for kin to care for children; DCF’s new licensing and resource policies on foster and kinship caregivers, including its updated background record check policy; and the supports and resources kin need to best provide temporary or long-term care for children.
Slides Legal Pathways for Kinship Caregivers June 7 2023
Training Materials:
Legal Resources for Grandparents and Relative Caregivers
Resources for Kinship Caregivers 2023
Kinship Care and The Child Welfare System Fact Sheet (2022)
State of Grandfamilies 2020 Report
Custody Guide for Child Caregivers
Generations United Grandfamily Tip Sheets for Caregivers
Is your client seeking placement of the child with a parent or relative in another state? Has DCF proposed moving the child to another state over your client’s objection? This webinar will discuss the intricacies of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children and how it impacts placement of children outside Massachusetts. We review the ICPC’s purpose, the procedures for seeking a home study in another state, expedited placements, and what to do if the receiving state rejects the proposed custodian. We also discuss the Appeals Court’s recent decision in Adoption of Knox, which addresses application of the ICPC to parents.
DCF ICPC Guidance – Department Sending and Receiving State Updated FINAL DRAFT 4.26.23
Did your client move to Massachusetts less than six months ago? Is there a pending custody case or outstanding custody order in another state? If so, the courts in Massachusetts may not have jurisdiction to decide the client’s case. In this webinar you will learn about the Massachusetts Child Custody Jurisdiction Act and federal Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act. We review these complex laws and walk you through a series of fact patterns to help you learn how to analyze these issues in your own cases. We also discuss practical issues such as advising your clients about the risks and benefits of having the case heard in the other state; communication between the two courts, motions to dismiss on jurisdictional grounds, and more.
Did you know that every month DCF takes about $500,000 of foster children’s SSI and Social Security survivors’ benefits and funnels the money into the Massachusetts general fund? Please join national and local experts to learn what you can do to protect these federal benefits for children and families. We will discuss SSI and Social Security eligibility requirements, DCF’s obligation to screen and apply for benefits; recent changes to DCF regulations regarding its handling of children’s benefits; and legal and practical strategies for ensuring SSI and Social Security payments are conserved for the benefit of children and families. Our expert presenters include: Amy Harfeld, National Policy Director at the Children’s Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C., and local experts Rick Glassman and Linda Landry from the Massachusetts Disability Law Center.
Slides-How to Stop DCF from Taking Children’s Social Security Benefits
Training Materials:
Account Summary Screen Explanation 10-03-22
This is the second session of a virtual three-part series to help CAFL practitioners navigate zealously representing youth and young adults age 16 – 22. We heard from every breakout group in part one of this session that communicating with transition age youth clients is challenging and can affect zealous advocacy. This session focuses on how to communicate effectively, how to identify the client’s skills and needs and find resources to advocate for from DCF. The session will include: a presentation on adolescent brain development and working with transition age youth clients; a panel on client communication and how it may change as the client and their case change; holistic representation, supports and services; a breakout session on barriers to advocacy; and a conversation with a transition age youth and her parent on what worked and what did not work in her professional relationship with her lawyer.
Slides-Adolescent Development Transition-Aged Youth
Training Materials:
Adulting for Lawyer Part Two Agenda May 8, 2023
Checklist Representing Youth in Transition from a Care and Protection to a PYA Case
DESE Transition Form for Special Education Students
Edlaw Special Education Advocacy Guide for Transition Age Young People
A conversation with the US Department of Justice Attorney’s and Coalition Advocates
Protecting the Rights of Parents with Disabilities – Tips and Strategies
Protecting the Rights of Parents with Disabilities – US Attorney’s Office and DOJ
Your client is nervous. Her children are on the line. Unlike in a criminal case, her trial testimony will be required if she wants to reunify with her children. Thorough preparation of your client could make or break her testimony and the case. In this webinar, Eleanor Wilkinson and Tori Bleier reprise their much-applauded presentation at the 2021 National Association of Counsel for Children’s annual conference. This session will help participants build a solid foundation for their relationship with a parent client. Then using the strength of that relationship, participants will then learn concrete steps for preparing a parent to testify at trial. We will address issues specific to parents of color, parents with disabilities, and parents facing potential 5th amendment complications.
Slides-Preparing Parent Clients to Testify
Sample General Release of Information to Counsel
Parent Client Intake Fillable Form
Sample HIPAA Release of Information to Counsel
Sample Limited Release of Information
Sample Notice to Parent of Attorney-Client Privilege and Confidentiality
Systems-involved families can present with a variety of legal service needs. Connecting families with community legal providers can help meet these needs and prevent family separation. Join representatives from a family preservation advocacy program, special education/school discipline defense programs, mental health advocacy, the public defender’s office, and legal services agencies as they discuss the legal representation available to families.
Slides-Do I Need Counsel for my Child
Slides-Edlaw – Legal Resources
Slides-Mental Health Advocacy Program for Children
Training Materials:
The SJC’s Court Improvement Program Cultural Humility Training Committee is pleased to announce that the collaborative training series will continue this year, with a theme of Engaging Families. As part of the goal of meaningfully engaging families, we invite you to attend our first virtual training, “Resources for Families Workshop” featuring speakers from the Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Debbie’s Treasure Chest, One Can Help, a Family Resource Center, and the RISE Program at Hopewell, Inc. as they discuss additional resources and supports for our clients.
Training Materials:
This is the first session of a virtual three part series to CAFL practitioners navigate zealously representing youth and young adults age 16 – 22. This session includes: a legal framework to represent clients aged 16 – 22; signing in with DCF at age 18, myths versus reality; including how a CAFL social worker on your defense team can help you; how to work with the DCF adolescent outreach worker; a breakout session on barriers to advocacy; and client relations. Approved for 3 CAFL credits.
Slides – Representing Transition Age Youth
July 2021 – June 2022 Webinars & Training Materials
Children and families of color are disproportionately more likely to come into contact with child welfare and juvenile legal systems. Join Dr. Vanessa Prosper at our ongoing Cultural Humility series as we explore racial trauma, its impact on our clients, and how we can promote more successful and equitable outcomes by understanding racial trauma and advancing racial healing. Introduction by Judge Nielsen and closing remarks by Judge Stewart. It is being held in partnership with the Administrative Office of the Juvenile Court, the Court Improvement Program, the CPCS Training Department, the CPCS CAFL Racial Justice Task Force, the Department of Children & Families, the Department of Youth Services JDAI, and Family Resource Center.
Racial Trauma with Vanessa Prosper Slides
Recording & Slides not available.
Training Materials:
DCF Discrimination Based on Disability:
Joint DOJ and HHS Letter to Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Settlement Agreement Between DOJ, HHS and Mass DCF
DCF Discrimination Against Clients who are Limited English Proficient:
Mass Appleseed Report: Families Torn Apart
Complaint Against DCF Regarding Limited English Proficient Clients
Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Youth in DCF Custody:
HHS Advisory on Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
PART I
Recording/Slides not available
PART II
Slides – Gender Identity and Affirming Care Part 2 – DCF Gender Affirming Care Medication Policy
PART III
Slides – Gender Identity and Affirming Care Part 3 – Talking with Clients
Training Materials:
CAFL Resources LGBTQ Youth & Families
Revolutionary change is needed to ensure our family support systems are equitable for all. Join Dr. Pryce as we explore how to change systems by looking inward, examining power dynamics and privilege within systems. Dr. Pryce will help the audience identify their own personal and institutional philosophies, mindsets, and values and how shifting those toward antiracism will lead to true systemic change. Every child and family serving professional will learn how to meaningfully partner with families and co-design a path forward. Introductory Remarks: Sarita Rogers, Children’s Trust; Closing Remarks: Meri Viano, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Training Materials:
Power Dynamics in Child Welfare – Article
Racial Equity Reflection Questions and Resources
Ground Rules for Courageous Conversations
Slides – Adding a Social Worker to Your Team
Training Materials:
Sample Engagement Letter for Social Worker Consultant
Sample Motion for funds consulting SW and affid (short version)
Sample Motion for costs for social worker update February 2022
Sample Affidavit of counsel to accompany motion for costs
July 2020- June 2021 Webinars & Training Materials
This four-part virtual series is based on the American Bar Association Child Safety Guide.
- Part One: Rationale for the Guide; Information Collection; Threats of Danger, Child Vulnerability, and Protective Capacities
- Part Two: Making Safety Decision; In-Home Safety Plan; Reasonable Efforts to Prevent Removal
- Part Three: Out of Home Safety Plan; Family Time; Case Plans
- Part Four: Reunification; Evaluating Progress; Conditions for Return
DAY 1
MA CIP Safety Guide Webinar PowerPoint
DAY 2
MA CIP Safety Guide Webinar 2 PowerPoint
DAY 3
MA CIP Safety Guide Webinar 3 PowerPoint
DAY 4
MA CIP Safety Guide Webinar 4 PowerPoint
Training Materials:
PART 1
Privilege and Confidentiality PowerPoint
PART 2
Privilege and Confidentiality part 2 PowerPoint
Training Materials:
PART 1
Privilege and Confidentiality PowerPoint
PART 2
Privilege and Confidentiality part 2 PowerPoint
Training Materials: