Resources

In 2014, the DC Council passed a legislative package of three bills that reform DC’s special education system. Children’s Law Center helped shape the bills, which also drew from the experience of teachers, parents, lawyers and experts in the field to determine how to best meet the needs of our students with special needs.

Amendments to the D.C. Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure became effective in June 2017. Although this fact sheet does not address every amendment or every amendment in full, it highlights the parts of the amended rules that most affect neglect and abuse practice. Rules referenced here are incorporated into the Rules Governing Neglect and Abuse Proceedings by Super. Ct. Neg. R.

Use this checklist as a suggested guide when you meet with your caregiver client for the first time.

Youth in foster care should not be restricted or isolated from social and recreational activities that are healthy and developmentally appropriate for their age. The federal "Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014" amended the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) to include provisions about supporting "normalcy" for foster youth as well as new requirements surrounding APPLA goals.

In 2016, the D.C. Court of Appeals issued Motorola Inc. v. Murray, changing the legal standard in D.C. for qualifying expert witnesses. This fact sheet will provide an overview of what assessment the court should be making and will provide guidance around how to effectively voir dire and argue for the qualification of expert witnesses.

A check list of important steps in a Housing Conditions case.

Foster youth are at heightened risk for commercial sexual exploitation. This fact sheet summarizes some of the key federal and local laws available to protect and support this vulnerable population.

A blank form to complete Custodial Power of Attorney. Includes an FAQ about Custodial Power of Attorney and a form for the parent to revoke a previously signed Custodial Power of Attorney.

The Expanding Access to Juvenile Records Amendment Act of 2010 made changes to juvenile confidentiality in DC. Certain information about juvenile arrests and crimes is now available to the public. Certain professionals connected to a youth may also share formerly confidential information about a youth for limited purposes. This CLC Fact Sheet provides a summary of the law, a copy of which is attached to this Fact Sheet.

Youth in abscondence face varied levels of risk depending on their age, mental health, physical health, and access to material resources. This fact sheet summarizes some of the key laws, policies, and inquiries that GALs may use to mitigate risk and advocate for missing youth.