RESOURCES
Resources
Reference Sources
CalDAP provides these external links to several sites with content related to Child Dependency law.
Books
Parents attorneys will particularly appreciate Judge Edwards' perspective and observations as to the role of parents' counsel in Chapter 8.
Substantive Articles
The links below are to PDF copies of specific publications which can be downloaded, printed and submitted if necessary in court proceedings.
​"This article is the first to comprehensively examine why the harm of removal should be a featured part of every child welfare decision."​
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- Compensation and Caseload of Parents Counsel
​"Improving legal representation and support for parents in child welfare proceedings results in better outcomes for children and families and can lead to substantial savings of government funds."​
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"The following describes the fundamental attributes of high-quality legal representation for children and parents. These are attributes/elements that must be met by individual parents’ and children’s attorneys as well as by the systems or structures governing legal representation for children and parents in child welfare proceedings.​​
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Attribute 1: Caseload and Compensation
Parents’ and children’s attorneys should be compensated at roughly the same rates as child welfare agency attorneys, and a full- time caseload should not exceed 60 clients at a time."
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"Attribute 1: Caseloads and Compensation
* Ensure attorneys have a reasonable caseload of no more than 60 clients at a time for a full-time attorney, assuming a caseload includes clients at various stages of the case. Generally, caseloads with over 60 clients will not be manageable for attorneys who do not have supports that may come with an interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary practice model, which includes access to social workers, investigators, and/or paralegals.
* Ensure parents’ and children’s attorneys’ compensation rates are adequate for the attorneys’ practice, taking into account the overhead and other costs borne by private professionals. At a minimum, parents’ attorneys’ and children’s attorneys’ compensation should be equal to county or child welfare agency attorneys’ compensation, and consistent with other publicly-funded attorneys’ compensation, including criminal defense attorneys."
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"ABA Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Abuse and Neglect Cases"​