Parental Equality Network
Helping Others Achieve Parental Equality
Legal Rights as a Parent
Tools and Resources to help individuals understand their legal rights as a parent. Examples include, Standard Parenting Plans, Common Legal Forms, and Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct.
Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This publication provides an overview of State laws that provide the legal basis for terminating the rights of parents who have been found unfit to parent their children. The circumstances under which the court may find that termination may not serve the child's best interests and under which a parent's rights may be reinstated also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Case Planning for Families Involved With Child Welfare Agencies
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This review of statutes and administrative codes shows that States are using a variety of approaches to address the issue of case planning. States generally require a case plan when a child is placed in out-of-home care or when a child and his or her family are receiving any kind of in-home services to prevent placement. Topics covered include requirements for when a case plan is needed, participants in case planning, and contents of plans. Laws for all States and territories are included.
Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet summarizes State laws that mandate the type and frequency of court hearings that must be held to review the status of children placed in out-of-home care. At these hearings, the court reviews the efforts that have been made to address the family issues that necessitated the out-of-home placement as well as efforts to achieve permanency for the child. This document also describes lists the persons who may attend the hearings and permanency options.
Reasonable Efforts to Preserve or Reunify Families and Achieve Permanency for Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Discusses laws that require child welfare agencies to make reasonable efforts to provide services that will help families remedy the conditions that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. The issues examined include what constitutes reasonable efforts, when reasonable efforts are required to be made, and the circumstances under which reasonable efforts to reunify the family are not required. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet discusses State laws that present the factors that courts need to consider when making decisions about a child's appropriate custody and care. Factors to be considered include parental capacity to provide adequate care, sibling and other family relationships, and the child's wishes. The factsheet also addresses the definition of best interests and guiding principles of best interest determinations. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included.
Understanding Child Welfare and the Courts
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Families involved with the child welfare system must often engage with the judicial system. This factsheet is designed to demystify the legal process and inform families of their rights and responsibilities. It includes frequently asked questions about the different stages of court proceedings, how parents and family members can prepare for court hearings, and who and what to expect in the courtroom and throughout the process.
How the Child Welfare System Works
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet provides a brief overview of the child welfare system and its purposes and functions. Child welfare systems typically receive and investigate reports of possible child abuse and neglect; provide services to families that need assistance in the protection and care of their children; arrange for children to live with kin or with foster families when they are not safe at home; and arrange for reunification, adoption, or other permanent family connections for children leaving foster care. A flowchart illustrates how cases may move through the child welfare system.
From Complaint to Resolution: Understanding the Child Welfare Grievance Process
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet provides parents (birth, foster, and adoptive) and other caregivers with information about the best way to resolve their differences with a service provider or other child welfare professional. Since child welfare agency policies and procedures are State-specific, this factsheet presents information from a national perspective and points to additional resources about where to find information related to a particular State. The information and resources provided in this factsheet address the majority of complaints associated with the child protective services system.
Reunification: Bringing Your Children Home From Foster Care
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Foster care is not forever. Children and youth can and do return home to their families. In fact, this is the most common outcome. This factsheet for families provides a general overview of the reunification process, including what parents can expect while their children are in foster care, what they can do to help their children return home, and what to expect after children return home. Resources available to help families during and after reunification also are included.
Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Welfare Information Gateway
State and local governments, community organizations, and private citizens take action every day to protect children. You can help, too. This factsheet provides information on how communities and individual citizens can strengthen families, protect children, and prevent child abuse and neglect.
What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms
Child Welfare Information Gateway
This factsheet outlines the legal definition of child abuse and neglect, the different types of abuse and neglect, and the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Resources about the impact of trauma on well-being also are included.
Note: This factsheet combines and updates two previous factsheets from Child Welfare Information Gateway: What Is Child Abuse and Neglect? and Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms.