NCJ Number
151736
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: (1994) Pages: 3-28
Date Published
1994
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Focusing on judicial oversight of abused and neglected children removed from parental custody, this article examines the implementation of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980, discusses the reasons why it is not working as well as it might, and makes recommendations about how a strong judiciary and specialized training can improve the implementation of the law and ensure that it operates as Congress intended.
Abstract
The law significantly changed child welfare law in the United States. It made juvenile court judges an integral part of the operation of the law. However, many social service agencies do not effectively deliver preventive and reunification services to families. Inadequate resources are one of the problems. In addition, juvenile court oversight of social service delivery has been ineffective or nonexistent; many juvenile courts do not ensure that children in out-of-home care attain a permanent home in a timely manner. As a result, many State child welfare systems do not serve children and families well, and most States risk losing Federal funding for social services. Nevertheless, in several jurisdictions, the law is working well, resources are effectively used, and children and families are well served. The common factors in these jurisdictions are early provision of intensive social services, well-organized court systems, and cooperation between those who serve these children and families. With a court system that has adequate resources and is intelligently run, the judge can have a positive impact on service delivery, its timeliness, and the availability of services in the community. 179 reference notes