COVID-19 Legal Tools
How to Deliver High-Quality Legal Representation in the COVID-19 Crisis
Federal Guidance
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau (CB) issues guidance to courts, attorneys and child welfare agencies during the COVID-19 public health crisis. CB urges courts to refrain from making sweeping blanket orders ceasing, suspending, or postponing court hearings and reducing or suspending family visitation. Read letter here.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau (CB) issues a second letter regarding technology for court hearings. Read letter here.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau (CB) issues a third letter regarding federal funding for cell phones and PPE. Read letter here.
- Webinar: Covid-19 and Child Welfare Cases
- Family integrity is not expendable, even in the face of Covid-19, see article: “Top Federal Child Welfare Officials: Family Is a Compelling Reason”
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau (CB) issues a fourth letter regarding Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption Assistance. Read letter here.
Sample Advocacy Tools
- Children’s Law Center of California motion to modify Los Angeles’ blanket order suspending visitation
- Declaration #1 in support of Children’s Law Center of California motion to modify Los Angeles’ blanket order suspending visitation
- Declaration #2 in support of Children’s Law Center of California motion to modify Los Angeles’ blanket order suspending visitation
- Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative and Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel Letter to Judicial Officers re: COVID-19 Pandemic
- Shriver Center on Poverty Law Letter to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Texas Public Policy Foundation Letter to Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Youth Law Center/Children’s Advocates Letter re: Child Welfare Courts During a Public Health Crisis
- Youth Rights and Justice Attorneys’ Letter to Oregon Department of Human Services
- Motion to Continue Virtual TPR Hearing (Colorado)
Sample Emergency Court Orders and Rules
- Sacramento Temporary Orders Regarding Court Ordered Visitation
- Santa Clara Temporary Orders Regarding Court Ordered Visitation
- California’s Emergency Court Rules (Rule 6/7 discuss dependency/juvenile justice).
- New Jersey Supreme Court Order Stating Termination of Parental Rights Trials Suspended Absent Consent of All Parties
Virtual Visitation
- Low or No-Cost Tech Options
- When You Can’t Be There In Person, Virtual Visitation Tips
- Virtual Visits: Recommendations by Age and Access Resources
- Ways to supplement in person visits or when those are not possible
- Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Caregiver Visitation Memo
- Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, Caregiver Visitation Memo (Spanish)
Resources for Working with Children and Youth
- Foster Club Resources for Older Youth
- Making an Emergency Plan with Transition Age Youth in Foster Care A Checklist for Dependency Attorneys, Youth Providers, and Advocates
- The Juvenile Law Center, SchoolHouse Connection, and The Hope Center, on COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care
- Tips to Ensure Your Child Clients Have Access to Technology
- Active Efforts in ICWA Cases During the Pandemic
Helpful Tips
- Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services, Practices Guide for Conducting Video Hearings
- Making An Emergency Plan with Youth in Congregate Care in California: A Checklist for Dependency Attorneys, Youth Providers, and Advocates
- Resources for Working with Older Youth
- Tips to Ensure Your Clients Have Access to Technology
- Making An Emergency Plan with Youth in Congregate Care in Massachusetts: A Checklist for Dependency Attorneys, Youth Providers, and Advocate
- Checklist for Client Check-Ins (Committee for Public Counsel Services)
- Dr. Levy DCF COVID-19 Affadavit – Dangers of Congregate Care
- Capacity Building Center for Courts Conducting Effective Remote Hearings in Child Welfare Cases
- RISE Tips: Resources for Parents Impacted by Coronavirus and Child Welfare
- Capacity Building Center for Courts, Conducting Effective Remote Hearings in Child Welfare Cases
- Legal Services New Jersey, Covid-19 Toolkit
- Privacy Considerations for Remote Client Conversations
- On-line Court Issues for Child Welfare Cases (Colorado)
- Privacy and Confidentiality Tips for Virtual Hearings