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Understanding the effects of an interdisciplinary approach to parental representation in child welfare

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Listed:
  • Gerber, Lucas A.
  • Guggenheim, Martin
  • Pang, Yuk C.
  • Ross, Timothy
  • Mayevskaya, Yana
  • Jacobs, Susan
  • Pecora, Peter J.

Abstract

Prior research demonstrates that the interdisciplinary law office approach to parental representation in child welfare, used in the New York City Family Court, speeds up the time to permanency for children in foster care with no effect on child safety. Interrogating these findings further, this study utilizes a qualitative interview-based design to understand how the model works in practice to impact the outcomes of families’ cases. We interviewed 42 practitioners in the New York City Family Court and 17 parents who had had a recent child protection case in the New York City Family Court. Practitioners included judges, court attorneys, attorneys who represent parents in these cases, attorneys who represent children in these cases, and attorneys for the child welfare agency. Based on our analysis of these interviews, we identify three elements critical to the success of the interdisciplinary law office case practice approach: [1] uniform high-quality representation, [2] interdisciplinary practice, and [3] paying attention to the client’s well-being. These results shed light on why interdisciplinary law office parental representation effectively hastens reunification for children in foster care as compared to a solo practitioner attorney.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerber, Lucas A. & Guggenheim, Martin & Pang, Yuk C. & Ross, Timothy & Mayevskaya, Yana & Jacobs, Susan & Pecora, Peter J., 2020. "Understanding the effects of an interdisciplinary approach to parental representation in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:116:y:2020:i:c:s0190740920304643
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105163
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerber, Lucas A. & Pang, Yuk C. & Ross, Timothy & Guggenheim, Martin & Pecora, Peter J. & Miller, Joel, 2019. "Effects of an interdisciplinary approach to parental representation in child welfare," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 42-55.
    2. Soffer-Elnekave, Ruth & Haight, Wendy & Jader, Bailey, 2020. "Parent mentoring relationships as a vehicle for reducing racial disparities: Experiences of child welfare-involved parents, mentors and professionals," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    3. Haight, Wendy & Marshall, Jane & Woolman, Joanna, 2015. "The Child Protection Clinic: A mixed method evaluation of parent legal representation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 7-17.
    4. Haight, Wendy & Sugrue, Erin & Calhoun, Molly & Black, James, 2017. "Everyday coping with moral injury: The perspectives of professionals and parents involved with child protection services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 108-121.
    5. Courtney, Mark E. & Hook, Jennifer L., 2012. "Evaluation of the impact of enhanced parental legal representation on the timing of permanency outcomes for children in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(7), pages 1337-1343.
    6. Haight, Wendy & Sugrue, Erin & Calhoun, Molly & Black, James, 2017. "“Basically, I look at it like combat”: Reflections on moral injury by parents involved with child protection services," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 477-489.
    7. Summers, Alicia & Gatowski, Sophia I. & Gueller, Melissa, 2017. "Examining hearing quality in child abuse and neglect cases: The relationship between breadth of discussion and case outcomes," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 490-498.
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