A comprehensive new tool for juvenile and family courts that handle child abuse and neglect cases is now available from the Permanency Planning for Children Department of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

The publication, Adoption and Permanency Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases, sets forth "the essential elements of best practice for the court processes that lead to a permanent home for children who cannot be reunified with their families." The guidelines are based largely on the experiences of judges and other professionals who manage cases involving abused and neglected children.

The Guidelines cover the process from the point at which the court determines reunification is not an option, to the point at which the juvenile and family court is no longer involved in the case because the child has a permanent new home.

Seven chapters cover each stage of the legal process:

* Permanency Planning
* The Permanency Hearing
* Termination of Parental Rights Hearings
* The Appeals Process
* Adoption Issues Judges Must Understand Prior to Conducting Review Hearings that Follow Termination of Parental Rights
* Review Hearings that Follow Permanency Hearings or Termination of Parental Rights Hearings
* Hearings to Formalize Case Closure and Finalize Adoptions

Master checklists, a glossary, and several appendices with other legal resources are included. Pocket checklists to pull out for easy reference complete the manual.

To obtain a copy, contact:

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Permanency Planning for Children Department
Univ. of Nevada
PO Box 8970
Reno, NV 89507
Phone: 775-784-6012
Fax: 775-784-6628
Web site: http://www.pppncjfcj.org

Children's Bureau Express Volume 2, Number 3

© 2001