NCJ Number
68243
Date Published
Unknown
Length
51 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES THE THIRD YEAR'S WORK OF THE CHILD ADVOCACY UNIT ESTABLISHED BY THE DEFENDER ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA TO PROVIDE INDEPENDENT LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR DEPENDENT NONDELINQUENT CHILDREN.
Abstract
DURING THE UNIT'S 3 YEARS, DEFENDER CHILD ADVOCATES HAVE APPEARED IN FAMILY COURT OVER 10,000 TIMES TO REPRESENT CHILDREN. THE STAFF INCLUDES FIVE ATTORNEYS, FIVE SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS, TWO INVESTIGATORS, AND TWO ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL. THE UNIT'S ROLE IS TO SENSITIZE THE JUDGE TO THE SPECIFIC SITUATIONS FACING THE CHILD CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ITS POSITION IS LEGALLY NEUTRAL TOWARD BOTH PARENTS AND THE WELFARE AGENCY. THE STAFF HAS FOUND THE INTERDISCIPLINARY METHOD TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE IN REPRESENTING CLIENTS. EACH CLIENT IS EVALUATED ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS. USING A PROBLEMSOLVING APPROACH, THE INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM, WITH HELP AS NEEDED FROM PSYCHIATRIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFESSIONALS, EVALUATES AND PLANS FOR A CHILD'S NEEDS. CLIENTS INCLUDE INCORRIGIBLES, TRUANTS, RUNAWAYS, PHYSICAL ABUSE VICTIMS, NEGLECT VICTIMS, AND SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS. OTHER CASES IN WHICH THE UNIT IS INVOLVED INCLUDE CUSTODY AND VISITATION CASES, MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION CASES, ADOPTIONS, INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT OPERATIONS. THE UNIT IS IN ITS THIRD YEAR OF LEAA FUNDING. AN EVALUATION WILL BE PART OF THE FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT. AN EVALUATION BY A YOUTH SERVICES COORDINATING COMMISSION COMMITTEE CONCLUDING THAT THE UNIT PERFORMS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE AT REASONABLE COST. THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED CONTINUATION OF THE UNIT UNDER LEAA FUNDING, CONTINUED EFFORTS TO FIND OTHER FUNDING, AND FUNDING BY THE CITY IF OTHER FUNDING SOURCES CANNOT BE SECURED. TECHNIQUES USED BY THE UNIT COULD BE ADAPTED TO MEET CHILDREN'S NEEDS IN OTHER GEOGRAPHIC AREAS. THE UNIT WILL WORK TOWARD DEVELOPING PARENT EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, AND LEGISLATION TO GIVE CHILDREN EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. EXTENSIVE TABLES PRESENT THE NUMBERS AND TYPES OF CASES HANDLED, CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS, AND DISPOSITIONAL BREAKDOWNS. FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT, SEE NCJ 68244.