Search

The article focuses on the legal representation of foster children who are unable to request an appointment of counsel in Florida. Topics include the guardian ad litum program in Florida, the termination of parental rights, and the classification of 'next friends' of foster children. Information is provided on foster child advocacy.

This study examined the effect of efforts made by child welfare case managers to involve parents in case processes on two divergent case outcomes: reunification and the termination of parental rights (TPR). The sample was comprised of a cohort of children who received child protection services while in out-of-home care during fiscal year 2009-2010 and were randomly selected by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) for their case management quality of practice reviews. Findings revealed that when child welfare case managers made efforts to encourage and support parents in participating in child-related decisions and activities, there were increased chances for timely reunification. However, these same efforts were only associated with a lower risk of TPR for mothers and not for fathers. Implications of these findings are discussed., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)