Resolution

In Support of the Recommendations Made by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care

Resolution 15 In Support of the Recommendations Made by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care

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WHEREAS, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators recognize the importance of securing safe, permanent homes for children and moving children in state custody to safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible through the efficient and effective handling of child abuse and neglect cases; and

WHEREAS, the Conferences applauded the formation of the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, a nonpartisan, multi-disciplinary group dedicated to examining strategies for improving the child welfare system, and recognized the critical role courts play in overseeing the system; and

WHEREAS, after thoughtful study, the Pew Commission issued a series of recommendations for strengthening courts, focusing on four general strategies:

  • Courts should adopt court performance measures to ensure they can track cases, increase accountability, and inform decisions about the allocation of court resources.
  • Incentives and requirements should be established to ensure effective collaboration between the courts and child welfare agencies in the development of plans and programs on behalf of children in foster care.
  • Children and parents should have a strong voice in court and effective representation by trained attorneys and advocates.
  • Chief Justices and other state court leaders should spearhead efforts to organize courts to better serve children, provide training for judges, and promote more effective standards for dependency court judges and attorneys.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conferences support the recommendations made by the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Conferences are committed to establishing an action agenda to implement the Pew Commission's recommendations.

Adopted as proposed by the CCJ/COSCA Courts, Children and Families Committee at the 56th Annual Meeting on July 29, 2004.