CAFL COVID-19 News and Resources
CAFL COVID-19 Resources Index
Updates From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Joint Memo Clarifying Key Health and Safety Requirements for Schools, Aug. 18, 2020
Mass Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education and Mass Dept of Public Health
Supreme Judicial Court Second Order regarding public access to state courthouses & court facilities, effective July 13, 2020
Juvenile Court Standing Order 8-20: Further extension of court operations under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19
Supreme Judicial Court third updated order regarding court operations under the exigent circumstances created by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, effective July 1, 2020
Supreme Judicial Court updated order authorizing use of electronic signatures by attorneys and self-represented parties, effective June 11, 2020
Juvenile Court Standing Order 7-20: Extension of emergency court operation under the exigent circumstances created by COVID-19, effective June 1, 2020
Temporary Court Investigator and GAL Guidelines and Procedures, Administrative Office of the Juvenile Court, Updated June 1, 2020.
Update on Court Operations in Light of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic, Executive Office Transmittal 20-15, from Chief Justice of the Trial Court Paula M. Carey and Court Administrator Jonathan S. Williams
Court System Response to COVID-19,
Provides links to Daily Court Updates and Orders of the Supreme Judicial Court, Appeals Court, District Court, Housing Court, Juvenile Court and Land Court
Letter from Judiciary Leaders on Path Forward During the Pandemic, May 14, 2020
Juvenile Court Standing Order 5-20, Protocol Governing Requests for Release From Detention, and Requests to Revise or Revoke or Stay Sentence, based on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Risks
Juvenile Court Frequently Asked Questions in Reference to COVID-19
Emergency Regulations for Residential Programs, Congregate Care & Shelter Providers
On April 16, Governor Baker issued an Executive Order giving The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) the ability to provide regulatory relief to licensed residential providers in order to ensure that programs operate under protocols that prevent the spread of COVID-19 while maintaining the health and safety of children and staff. As such, all existing residential and placement programs may now abide by updated Health & Safety Protocols and Minimum Requirements for Operating Licensed Residential Programs.
COVID-19: Trial Court Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Resources
SJC Updated Order Regarding Court Operations During the Pandemic, April 27, 2020
Probate and Family Court Standing Order 3-20
Appeals Court Guidelines Regarding Extension of Deadlines and Other COVID-19 Procedures
Appeals Court Notice Cancelling April Oral Arguments
Message to the Bar from Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, dated 3/19/2020
Procedures for Contacting Incarcerated Clients
Updates From CPCS
CPCS/CAFL Best Practices Guide for Conducting Video Hearings
Please note that this Guide is a work in progress. Video hearings are new to many of us at CAFL. We are learning more and more each week thanks to input from attorneys in the field as to what is happening in the courts, what is working, and what is not working. We will amend this Guide as we get more and better information from practitioners. Please feel free to send your comments and any proposed edits to Andy Cohen, Director of Appellate Panel, at acohen@publiccounsel.net.
Handout for Clients to Prepare for Zoom Hearings
MyGideon Instructions for CAFL Users
CPCS Immigration Impact Unit (IIU)
IIU Resources for CAFL Attorneys
CAFL Appeals Guidance on Appeals Court and SJC Scheduling Orders, Revised April 28, 2020
Modifications to Client Contact Requirements for CAFL Trial Attorneys, updated 3/27/2020
Guidance on Client Contact for CAFL Appellate Attorneys
Guidance for Private CAFL Attorneys on Single Justice Petitions/Interlocutory Appeals
Message from the CAFL Trial Panel Support Unit, dated 3/17/2020
Updates from DCF
Guidelines for In-Person Family Time for Parents 7/2020
Guidance for In-Person Family Time for Social Workers 7/2020
Final Foster Kin Family Time Guidance 7/2020
DCF Agency Update, May 15, 2020 provides pre and post pandemic statistics
DCF COVID-19 Resources and Support
Updates to Substance Use Treatment Programs During the COVID-19 Outbreak, April 8, 2020
Interim Guidance on Medical Visits for Children in Care During COVID-19 Outbreak
Letter to DCF Families from Commissioner Linda S. Spears
Letter to DCF Families in Cape Verdean Creole
Letter to DCF Families in Chinese
Letter to DCF Families in Haitian Creole
Letter to DCF Families in Portuguese
Letter to DCF Families in Spanish
Interim Guidance for DCF Supervised Visitation Providers, April 2, 2020
DCF Guidelines for Parent-Child Visitation During COVID-19 Outbreak, March 23, 2020
Information for Providing Foster Care as Massachusetts Manages COVID-19
DCF Interim Guidance for Support and Stabilization Providers
Training Information
CPCS CLE Requirement-Emergency Policy Change-FY 2020 Only
Approved Webinars
To receive credit for an approved webinar download and send an attendance certificate, if one is available, or an e-mail with your BBO#, the title and date of the webinar and # of viewing hours to Rita Caso, rcaso@publiccounsel.net. If there is a webinar you would like to have approved for credit please send the link to cafltraining@publiccounsel.net. Thank you!
Other News
Advocating for Kinship Placement during the COVID-19 Pandemic,
Andrew Cohen and Cathy Krebs, American Bar Association
Shut Down DCF’s homeless pipeline,
Commonwealth, May 17, 2020
Boston Bar Association Guide to Virtual Hearings at the Boston Municipal Court and District Courts for Practitioners
Boston Bar Association Guide to Virtual Hearings For Practitioners in Housing Court
Boston Bar Association Guide to Virtual Hearings for
Practitioners in Probate Matters
Boston Bar Association Guide to Virtual Hearings for Family Law Practitioners
Resources from EdLaw and the Youth Advocacy Foundation
EdLaw: Know Your Rights: Education and Special Education in Light of COVID-19 School Closures
EdLaw: Know Your Rights: Education and Special Education in Light of COVID-19 School Closures: FAQ’s for Parents