Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Deprived Child Proceedings

“Parents have a natural, legal, and moral right, as well as a duty, to care for and support their children and such rights are protected by state and federal laws as well as the Constitution. To that end, it is presumed that the best interests of a child are ordinarily served by leaving the child in the custody of the parents, who are expected to have the strongest bond of love and affection and to be best able to provide a child those needed qualities that make a child’s life safe and secure…” . 10A O.S. §1-1-102.

Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Children in Deprived Child Proceedings

“A child has a right to be raised by the mother and father of the child as well as a
right to be raised free from physical and emotional abuse or neglect. When it is
necessary to remove a child from a parent, the child is entitled to a permanent
home and to be placed in the least restrictive environment to meet the needs of the
child…”. 10A O.S. §1-1-102.

Compendium of Measures & Data Sources: Understanding Judicial Decision Making and Hearing Quality in Child Welfare

The compendium describes research measures and data sources used in child welfare court research. It provides a valuable tool for legal professionals to understand:

• how court hearings have been evaluated and what research measures have been used;
• the role of research, measures, and data sources in efforts to improve child welfare court hearings; and
• how to strengthen child welfare court hearings through research.