Helping children, families, and communities grow stronger together.
Making It Possible
Sixteen states do not require legal advocates for youth in foster care. One of them, Washington, is now considering a pilot project.
learn more>Resources and Tools
New CFSR toolkit can improve how your state works with the courts.
Materials from the 2007 conference (PowerPoint), “Agency, Court, and Youth Collaboration During the Second Round of the CFSRs.”
The Pew Commission’s 2004 report on court reform kicked off important court improvement. efforts. Read “Recommendations for Strengthening Courts” (PDF).
Resources on child-welfare court improvement programs.
National CASA’s “Judge’s Pages” offer resources on court permanency efforts and youth views.
Youth and Family Perspectives
“In the rush to determine the best interests of the child, the uncomfortable subject of love quickly becomes irrelevant. Children say they want nothing more than to be returned to their mothers, and mothers say [the same], but courtroom professionals stare at their shoes, uncomfortable at the sight of love existing alongside failure.” — Andrew Bridge in Hope’s Boy: A Memoir
read more >Court Reforms that Support Youth in Achieving Lifelong Families
Different Strategies, Same Goal: Retooling Courts to Achieve Youth Permanence
Across the nation, courts are working to improve their ability to connect young people with families for life. They are asking important questions: How best to engage youth in decisions about their lives? How to meet the needs of young people, including their need for family? How to create court systems that value outcomes over processes and view young people as individuals, not cases?
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Legal Leaders Speak Out: How Can Courts Ensure Youth Permanence?
How well are courts doing in ensuring that youth leave foster care with permanent family relationships? We asked legal leaders from across the country to weigh in on the topic. They had a variety of opinions about what’s working and strong opinions about changes needed to connect youth with families faster and with better outcomes.
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Legal Pioneers: Community Action Teams in New York City
When a young person enters foster care, the result can be devastating, not only for the youth, but also for his or her family. One New York City nonprofit is seeking to help these children and families.
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Archive
- View Current Issue
- From Innovation to Action
September 2008, Volume 2 - Court Reforms that Support Youth in Achieving Lifelong Families
February-March 2008, Volume 2 - Engaging Youth in Achieving and Sustaining Permanence
November 2007, Volume 1
About Connections Count
Produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, Connections Count is an electronic newsletter focusing on best practices, tools, research, and data on youth permanence in child welfare.
read more>Contact Us
Casey Family Services
127 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Tel: 203.401.6900
Fax: 203.401.6901