Resource Letter for Judges & Attorneys

2024

• 9/5/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Adoption of Foreign-Born Children: An Overview for State Court Judges
• 8/6/2024: Reminder, 2024 CWJC Registration Now Open
• 7/26/2024: Registration Now Open: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/9/2024: Reminder: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
• 6/12/2024: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
• 3/12/2024: Save the Date: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference

2023

• 12/20/2023: Save the Date: 17th Annual Child Welfare Judges Conference October 21-23, 2024
• 11/13/23: Scholarships to Upcoming NCJFCJ Conferences
• 8/3/2023:Registration Now Open: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25, 2023
• 7/10/2023: NCJFCJ Implementation Sites
• 6/12/2023: Reminder, Recommendations for Trial Skills Training Due June 16
• 5/31/2023: Trial Skills Training Participant Opportunity
• 4/28/2023: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 86th Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD
• 3/28/2023: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25. 2023
• 3/9/2023: Resources for Developing or Enhancing Family Treatment Courts
• 1/9/2023: ICYMI: Scholarships Re-Opened for NCJFCJ Conference in Dallas Applications Due January 23rd

2022

• 12/7/2022: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy
• 12/1/2022: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity: NCJFCJ 2023 National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Dallas
• 11/8/2022: 2023 Child Welfare Judges Conference Save the Date
• 10/4/2022: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy December 15-16, 2022
• 8/22/2022: Reminder: Registration Open for 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/26/2022: Registration Now Open: 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 5/20/2022: Responding to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Practical Tools and Takeaways for Judges
• 4/26/2022: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference Monday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
• 4/14/2022: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 85th Annual Conference in Reno, NV; application deadline is midnight, April 29, 2022.

2021

• 11/19/2021: Archive Sessions for 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference & Save the Date for 2022
• 10/6/2021: 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference Update
• 8/13/2021: Registration Now Open: 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 5/26/2021: Family-Centered Justice Program Opportunity
• 5/21/2021: Save the Date: 2021 Child Welfare Judicial Conference; Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 84th Annual Conference in St. Louis
• 5/3/2021: Webinar on June 15: Judicial Discussion on Capacity
• 3/24/2021: National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification Implementation Sites and Information Webinar
• 2/8/2021: National CASA/GAL Seeking Nominations for Judicial Leadership Council
• 1/28/2021: Texas Juvenile Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Bench Book

2020

• 12/1/2020: Registration Deadline Today for the “Day with the Department” Judicial Conference
• 11/17/2020: Featured Speakers on "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
• 10/28/2020: 2020 Child Protection Law Bench Book Now Available 
• 10/8/2020: Save the Date for Upcoming "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
• 9/2/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/15/2020: Updated Save the Date for 2020 Annual Child Welfare Conference
• 7/6/2020: Reminder: Applications Due Tomorrow for Scholarships to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
• 6/29/2020: Announcing Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
• 5/18/2020: NCJFCJ Seeking Applications for Board of Directors
• 2/7/2020: Save the Date: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 1/17/2020: Judicial Practices to Improve Permanency Outcomes

2019

• 9/19/19: Reminder: Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
• 9/12/19: Announcing Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
• 8/30/19: Save the Date! Upcoming MCLE Opportunities
• 8/28/19: Back to School 2019-2020
• 8/21/19: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
• 8/9/19: Learning Opportunity for Judges Who Hear CPS Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers
• 8/2/19: 2019 Child Protection Update: 86th Legislative Session
• 7/12/19: Reminder: Registration is Now Open for the 2019 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/3/19: Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 6/18/19: 2019 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 6/13/19: Webinar on June 21, 2019: LGBTQ and Race Equity
• 5/24/19: Special Issue: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
• 5/21/19: Save the Date for Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 5/2/19: Deadlines Extended: 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
• 4/26/19: Announcing Judicial Commission on Mental Health Jurist in Residence Resource Letter
• 4/18/19: Announcing 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
• 4/11/19: Save the Date: 2019 Child Welfare Judicial Conference
• 4/5/19: Texas Youth Permanency Study
• 3/29/19: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 82nd Annual Conference
• 3/15/19: Engaging Children and Youth in Court
• 3/5/19: Texas Board of Legal Specialization Announces Inaugural Child Welfare Law Specialists
• 2/14/19: Children's Commission Releases Report on Building a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System: A Blueprint
• 2/5/19: Announcing 2019 Spring Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
• 1/17/19: Upcoming Training on Family Drug Court, Child Welfare Information Study, Last Day to submit TST Applications
• 1/10/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Extended to Thursday, January 17th
• 1/3/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Due Thursday, January 10, 2019

2018

• 12/19/18 Hands-on Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 12/7/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas
• 11/30/19 2018 Child Protection Law Bench Book
• 11/9/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas
• 11/2/18 Information Regarding Children and Families Separated at the Border and State Courts
• 10/10/18 Request for Participation in Upcoming Round Table on Mediation in CPS Cases (A)
• 10/3/18 The Education of Children & Youth Placed in Residential Treatment Round Table Report
• 9/26/18 New and Updated Education-Related Resources
• 9/21/18 2018 Texas CASA Conference
• 9/12/18 2018 Study of Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases
• 9/7/18 MCLE and Related Discounts for CPS-Related MCLE
• 8/31/18 CPS-Related MCLE on Tuesday, September 11, 2018
• 8/24/18 Back to School Reminders for 2018 - 2019
• 8/17/18 MCLE on CPS-Related Issues, Save the Date: September 11, 2018
• 8/1/18 The Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
• 7/19/18 Save the Date: 2018 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/13/18 Webinar: Kinship Care and Race Equity in Child Welfare
• 6/13/18 DFPS "3 in 30" Program Information and Implementation Schedule
• 5/24/18 Video Conferencing to Increase Family and Youth Engagement
• 5/17/18 Attorney and Judicial Scholarship Deadlines Extended
• 5/9/18 Resources Related to Cultural Competency and Reducing Disproportionality and Disparities
• 5/3/18 Scholarship Deadlines; TBLS Child Welfare Application Extension; TBLS Exam Fee Reimbursement; and DFPS Region 1 Community Meeting
• 4/24/18 TBLS Applications for Specialization Exam in Child Welfare Law Due April 30, 2018
• 4/19/18 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
• 3/22/18 Trial Skills Training Opportunity: July 2018
• 3/13/18 Legal Representation Survey
• 2/26/18 TBLS 2018 Specialization Exam in Child Welfare; Scholarship Opportunity for Inaugural CLE hosted by new Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
• 2/23/18 Judicial Commission on Mental Health
• 2/2/18 Drug Court Grant Opportunity
• 1/30/18 New Child Protection Law Section
• 1/22/18 The Texas Response to Human Trafficking

2024

• 9/5/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Adoption of Foreign-Born Children: An Overview for State Court Judges
• 8/29/2024: Educational Resources for the 2024-2025 School Year
• 8/27/2024: Now Available: 2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the DFPS in Child Welfare Cases
• 8/14/2024: Webinar: Supporting School Aged Children in Care
• 8/1/2024: Scholarship Announcement: Civil Appellate Practice 101 Course
• 7/26/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/18/2024: Webinars: Mediation in Child Welfare; Handling Your First Child Welfare Appeal
• 7/12/2024: Youth SIM Mapping; Call for Family Representation Mentorship Program Applications 
• 6/18/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the Federal Intersection with Key Texas Child Welfare Laws; Family Protection Representation Mentorship Announcement from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission
• 6/12/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
• 6/10/2024: June is Reunification Month
• 6/7/2024: Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
• 5/23/2024: Parent, Youth, and Young Adult Surveys from the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
• 5/16/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Taking Your First Child Welfare Appeal
• 5/9/2024: May is National Foster Care Month
• 5/3/2024: Now Available: Representing Older Youth in Care Replay and Materials
• 4/23/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Mandamus in Child Welfare Cases 
• 4/18/2024: Now Available: 2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
• 4/16/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Taking Your First Child Welfare Appeal
• 4/12/2024: New Online Report on Trauma-Informed Courts Project
• 4/11/2024: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 4/10/2024: Trial Skills Contested Hearing Practices Deadline; Upcoming Webinar - Representing Older Youth in Care
• 4/3/2024: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's Handling Youth First (or Next) Civil Appeal Webcast Replay
• 3/28/2024: Upcoming Children's Commission Webinar: Representing Older Youth in Care
• 3/26/2024: Trial Skills Training Opportunity: Fall 2024 Contested Hearing Practices Pilot
• 3/12/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 2/29/2024: Upcoming Webinar and ICYMI
• 2/14/2024: February is Youth Leadership Month
• 2/9/2024: Attorney Scholarship to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Course
• 2/9/2024: New Video Series for Child Welfare Attorney Outreach 
• 2/1/2024: Rescheduled: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel
• 1/10/2024: Reminder, Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel
• 1/9/2024: Reminder: Scholarship Deadline to Attend the ABA Conferences
• 1/5/2024: January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2023

• 12/20/2023: Save the Date: 17th Annual Child Welfare Judges Conference October 21-23, 2024
• 12/19/2023: Announcing Scholarships to ABA Center on Children and the Law's National Conferences
• 12/8/23: Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel; Trial Skills Replay and Materials Now Available
• 11/13/23, Jurist in Residence Letter: Scholarships to Upcoming NCJFCJ Conferences
• 11/9/2023: November Celebrates Adoptions and Pathways to Permanency
• 10/27/2023: Now Available and Upcoming Webinars
• 10/26/2023: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• 10/11/2023: New Court-Attorney Requirement
• 10/4/2023: New Rules from the Administration for Children and Families Focus on Support and Resources for Children and Families
• 9/21/2023: The Importance of Kinship Care
• 9/14/2023: Now Available: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medications: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know Replay and Materials
• 9/12/2023: Children's Commission Webcast: Enhancing the Experience for Parents Involved in Child Welfare Cases
• 9/1/2023: New Legislation Effective Today
• 8/29/2023: Now Available: Reevaluating Reasonable Efforts Findings Replay and Materials
• 8/22/2023: Educational Resources for the 2023-2024 School Year
• 8/16/2023: Register Now: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medication: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know
• 8/9/2023: New Online Training Course on Reporting Child Abuse 
• 8/3/2023, Jurist in Residence: Registration Now Open: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25, 2023
• 7/31/2023: Upcoming Webinars: Reasonable Efforts, Psychotropic Medication
• 7/21/2023: Now Available: 88th Legislative Session Update Replay, Materials, and Report
• 7/11/2023: Reminder: Upcoming Legislative Update; Job Opening at the Children's Commission
• 7/10/2023: NCJFCJ Implementation Sites
• 7/7/2023: ICYMI: Recorded MCLE Webinars Now Available Online
• 7/6/2023: DFPS Listening Session on Behavioral Health Services
• 6/30/2023: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds the Indian Child Welfare Act
• 6/22/2023: Webinar: 88th Regular Legislative Session Update
• 6/14/2023: June is Reunification Month
• 5/31/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Trial Skills Training Participant Opportunity
• 5/22/2023: Reminder, Scholarship Applications Due Friday, May 26
• 5/18/2023: May is National Foster Care Month
• 5/11/2023: Judicial and Attorney Scholarships for the NACC 46th National Child Welfare Law Conference
• 5/4/2023: Attorney Scholarships for TexasBarCLE's Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
• 5/1/2023: Announcement: TNOYS 40th Annual Conference
• 4/28/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 86th Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD
• 4/24/2023: Upcoming Webinar: Overview of Treatment Foster Family Care
• 4/12/2023: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 3/28/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25. 2023
• 3/23/2023: Reminder Fall 2023 TST Application Deadline
• 3/14/2023: Identification Documents for Youth in Foster Care
• 3/9/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Resources for Developing or Enhancing Family Treatment Courts
• 3/8/2023: TBLS Now Accepting Applications for Board Certification in Child Welfare Law for 2023
• 3/7/2023: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 2/23:2023: New Resources! School of Origin, Incarcerated Parents Poster
• 2/21/23: New Videos for Families Involved in the Child Welfare System
• 2/13/23: Reminder: Apply by 5:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 15th Attorney Scholarships to Child Protection Law Courses
• 2/8/2023: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Courses
• 1/27/2023: Scholarships for Attorneys Representing DFPS to TDCAA’s 2023 Crimes Against Children Conference
• 1/9/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: ICYMI: Scholarships Re-Opened for NCJFCJ Conference in Dallas Applications Due January 23rd
• 1/9/2023: January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month
• 1/5/2023: New Report on Child Welfare Representation from Texas Indigent Defense Commission

2022

• 12/9/2022: Behavioral Health Resources from DFPS
• 12/7/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy
• 12/6/2022: Proposed Rule on the Use of Restraints in Juvenile Court
• 12/1/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity: NCJFCJ 2023 National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Dallas
• 11/30/2022: Scholarship Opportunity for Attorneys Representing DFPS: TDCAA Fundamentals of Child Welfare Law Online Course
• 11/29/2022: A Culture of Kin: Texas Kinship Steering Committee Workgroups Recommendations Report
• 11/18/2022: Now Available on LawBox: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Department of Family and Protective Services in Child Welfare Cases
• 11/17/2022: Celebrating Adoption Month in November
• 11/8/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: 2023 Child Welfare Judges Conference Save the Date
• 11/3/2022: 2022 Child Welfare Law Bench Book Available Online
• 10/31/2022: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• 10/27/2022: Recorded Webcast Now Online: Youth in Court
• 10/17/2022: New Resources Now Available
• 10/6/2022: National Survey on Virtual Child Welfare Hearings
• 10/4/2022: Recently Released Reports on Senate Bill (SB) 1578, Children's Mental Health, and SB 1575
• 10/4/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy December 15-16, 2022
• 9/29/2022: Enhancing the Experience of Children & Youth in Court: How Judges and Attorneys Can Prepare and Support Youth Attending Court
• 9/16/2022: The Importance of Kinship Care
• 8/29/2022: Resources for the 2022-2023 School Year
• 8/8/2022: Extra Pandemic Funds Available until August 31, 2022 for Current and Aged Out Foster Youth
• 7/26/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 6/30/2022: Reminder: Scholarship Application Deadline Friday, July 1
• 6/21/2022: Application Deadline Extended: Attorney Scholarships for TexasBarCLE’s Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
• 6/14/2022: June is National Reunification Month
• 6/2/2022: “Overview of Qualified Residential Treatment Program Legal Requirements” Recorded Webcast Now Available; Now Available on LawBox: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
• 6/1/2022: Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
• 5/20/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Responding to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Practical Tools and Takeaways for Judges
• 5/16/2022: Trial Skills Training Application Deadline Extended to Friday, May 27th
• 5/9/2022: May is National Foster Care Month
• 4/28/2022: Upcoming Educational Opportunities: In-Person Trial Skills; Webcast: Overview of QRTP Legal Requirements
• 4/26/2022: Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference Monday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
• 4/14/2022: Jurist in Residence Letter, Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 85th Annual Conference in Reno, NV
• 4/8/2022: New Education Resources: Updated Foster Care and Student Success Guide
  and New Top 10 "Things to Know" Lists
• 4/5/2022: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 4/1/2022: Child Welfare Case Primer Webcast Replay
• 3/25/2022: Now Available: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
• 2/28/2022: TBLS Now Accepting Applications for Board Certification in Child Welfare Law for 2022; Update on CWLS Certification
• 2/25/2022: Scholarship Opportunity for TexasBarCLE’s 4th Annual Advanced Child Protection Law Course
• 2/22/22: Children’s Commission Webcast: Child Welfare Case Primer: Statutory Hearings and Current Issues
• 2/4/2022: New Resources: Attorney Ad Litem Coloring Book Now Available in Spanish and English; Eighth Edition of the "Aging Out" Guide
• 2/2/2022: New Resource – Normalcy Matters: A Guide to Supporting Children & Youth in Texas Foster Care
• 1/31/2022: "The Texas Response to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children" Webinar Replay
• 1/14/2022: NACC Publishes New Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth in Neglect and Abuse Proceedings
• 1/12/2022: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys to ABA Center on Children and the Law’s National Conferences
• 1/11/2022: 2022 Human Trafficking Prevention Month
• 1/4/2022: Spotlight on Child Sexual Exploitation in January

2021

• 12/10/2021: New Publication: Dual Status Task Force Final Report
• 12/1/2021: Trial Skills Training Application Final Deadline is this Friday, December 3, 2021
• 11/19/2021: Archive Sessions for 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference & Save the Date for 2022
• 11/18/2021: Spotlight on Adoption in November
• 11/16/2021: Interactive Trial Skills Training Application Deadline Extended to Friday, December 3, 2021
• 11/8/2021: November is Native American Heritage Month
• 11/4/2021: Spring 2022 Trial Skills Training Applications Due Next Friday, November 12, 2021
• 11/3/2021: NCJFCJ Survey of Judicial Officers regarding Families Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder
• 11/1/2021: New Publications: Attorney Ad Litem Coloring Book and Updated Child Protection Law Bench Book
• 10/29/2021: NSCS Summit on Virtual Child Welfare Hearings and Webinar on Multidisciplinary Legal Representation
• 10/21/2021: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 10/20/2021: Effective Now: Changes to Policy 2400 of the Child Protective Services Handbook
• 10/13/2021: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• 10/6/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference Update
• 10/1/2021: Preserving Family Connections through Kinship Care
• 9/16/2021: 2021 Texas ICWA Summit Replay and Materials Now Available
• 9/10/2021: September is National Suicide Prevention Month
• 9/1/2021: 87^th Regular Legislative Session September 1^st Effective Dates
• 8/27/2021: Back to School Reminders for 2021-2022 School Year
• 8/13/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Registration Now Open: 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 8/5/2021: 87th Legislative Session Archived Webcast, Related Program Materials, and Report
• 8/3/2021: Emergency Rental Assistance Available
• 7/30/2021: Judicial Trauma Institute Replay and Materials Now Available
• 7/23/2021: Young Adult Pandemic Aid (PanAid) for Older Texas Youth
• 7/21/2021: Reminder: Children's Commission Webcast 87th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 7/13/2021: NACC Invites Comments on Draft Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth
• 7/7/2021: Reminder: July 30th Deadline for Fiscal Year 2022 CIP Grant Applications
• 7/1/2021: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
• 6/29/2021: Effective July 1, 2021, DFPS will not file Non-Emergency Removals
• 6/28/2021: Reminder: Scholarship Applications Due this Friday, July 2 for TexasBarCLE one-day CAN Workshop and NACC 44th Annual Conference
• 6/28/2021: Children's Commission Webcast: 87th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 6/18/2021: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
• 6/9/2021: National Reunification Month
• 6/3/2021: Announcing Release of Final Report of the Task Force on Court-Appointed Legal Representation
• 6/2/2021: Reminder: Applications Due Friday, June 4 for Judicial Scholarships to NCJFCJ's 84th Annual Conference in St. Louis
• 6/1/2021: Fiscal Year 2022 Court Improvement Program Grant Applications: June 1, 2021 - July 30, 2021
• 5/27/2021: Supreme Court of Texas 38th Emergency Order
• 5/26/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Family-Centered Justice Program Opportunity
• 5/21/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Save the Date: 2021 Child Welfare Judicial Conference
• 5/19/2021: CPS Webinar on The Asian Experience and Race Equity
• 5/17/2021: May is Foster Care Month
• 5/5/2021: Correction: Supporting Youth and Young Adults in Foster Care through the Pandemic
• 5/3/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Webinar on June 15: Judicial Discussion on Capacity
• 4/27/2021: Trial Skills Training Application Final Deadline Extended
• 4/20/2021: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys to ABA's Virtual National Parent Representation Conference
• 4/15/2021: TBLS Child Welfare Law Specialization Application Deadline
• 4/12/2021: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 4/7/2021: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 3/24/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification Implementation Sites and Information Webinar
• 3/12/2021: Trauma-Informed Texas Website; Archived Foster Care and Education Webinar; Mediation Round Table Report
• 3/8/2021: UTMB Survey on the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
• 3/4/2021: Resources and Upcoming Training in the Aftermath of Winter Storm Uri
• 2/8/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, National CASA/GAL Seeking Nominations for Judicial Leadership Council
• 1/28/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Texas Juvenile Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Bench Book
• 1/13/2021: Registration Reminder: Texas Indian Child Welfare Act Summit
• 1/11/2021: Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2020

• 12/18/2020: 2021 Texas Indian Child Welfare Act Summit
• 12/15/2020: National Study on Remote Hearing Practices in Child Welfare Cases
• 12/1/2020: Registration Deadline Today for the “Day with the Department” Judicial Conference
• 11/19/2020: Highlighting ICWA During Native American Heritage Month
• 11/17/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Featured Speakers on "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
• 11/13/2020: Spotlight on Adoption in November
• 11/6/2020: CPS Webinar on November 19: Someone Who Looks Like Me: Representation Within the Child Welfare System
• 10/30/2020: The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
• 10/28/2020:  Jurist in Residence Letter: 2020 Child Protection Law Bench Book Now Available 
• 10/22/2020: Dismissal Date Guidance for Child Protective Services Cases
• 10/8/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date for Upcoming "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
• 10/1/2020: Casey Family Programs Special Report 
• 9/24/2020: Back to School for the 2020-2021 School Year
• 9/22/2020: Supreme Court of Texas 26th Emergency Order and Office of Court Administration Guidance for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic
• 9/10/2020: Upcoming CPS Webinar on September 16th: LGBTQ and Race Equity Part II
• 9/2/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 8/31/2020:  Now Available: Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Protection Cases
• 8/21/2020: Recordings Now Available from Ensuring Justice in Child Welfare Summit
• 8/7/2020: NCSC Free Virtual Child Welfare Summit on August 10-11. 2020
• 7/29/2020: Announcing Attorney Scholarships for Webcast Replays of TexasBarCLE's Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
• 7/20/2020: Announcing Scholarship Opportunity for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to NACC 43rd National Child Welfare Law Virtual Conference
• 7/14/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Updated Save the Date for 2020 Annual Child Welfare Conference
• 7/6/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Reminder: Applications Due Tomorrow for Scholarships to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
• 6/29/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Announcing Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
• 6/25/2020: Health Insurance for Aged Out Foster Youth: Former Foster Care Children’s Medicaid
• 6/17/2020: New Texas CASA Resources and Upcoming Training 
• 6/11/2020: Upcoming Webinar on June 17th: Domestic Violence and Race Equity: TWAIS
• 6/3/2020: Webcast on June 5, 2020 and Job Opening at Commission
• 5/29/2020: Register Now: Webcast on Benefits of Using Technology in Child Welfare Cases on June 5, 2020
• 5/21/2020: Benefits of Utilizing Technology in Child Welfare Cases
• 5/13/2020: Announcement regarding the Children’s Commission website, COVID-19 webpage and resource links
• 5/8/2020: Register Now: Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom on May 22nd
• 5/1/2020: Save the Date! Upcoming Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom
• 4/28/2020: Resources to Support Educational Success for Students in Foster Care During COVID-19
• 4/20/2020: Resources for Parents and Families Involved with CPS
• 4/14/2020: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• 4/8/2020: Handling Sensitive or Protected Information in Child Protection Hearings; Interview of Child in Chambers
• 4/1/2020: Guidance for Services and Service Plans
• 3/25/2020: DFPS Issues Virtual Contact Guidelines for Caseworkers
• 3/23/2020: Current Suggested Best Practices for Family Visitation During the COVID-19 Crisis
• 3/20/2020: COVID-19 Resources Related to CPS Cases
• 3/19/2020: Supreme Court Emergency Orders Suspending Deadlines and Procedures
• 3/2/2020: DFPS News Release on Community-Based Care
• 2/19/2020: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Extended to Friday, February 21^st
• 2/13/2020: MCLE on Essentials of Family Representation in CPS Cases Now Available in the TexasBarCLE Online Classroom
• 2/4/2020: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 1/30/2020: Child Welfare Presentation: CIP Talks
• 1/23/2020: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
• 1/17/2020: Judicial Practices to Improve Permanency Outcomes

2019

• 9/19/19: Reminder: Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
• 9/12/19: Announcing Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
• 8/29/19: Save the Date! Upcoming MCLE Opportunities
• 8/28/19: Back to School 2019-2020
• 8/21/19: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
• 8/2/19: 2019 Child Protection Update: 86th Legislative Session
• 7/12/19: Reminder: Registration is Now Open for the 2019 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 7/3/19: Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 6/13/19: Upcoming Webinar on June 21, 2019: LGBTQ and Race Equity
• 5/24/19: Special Issue: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
• 5/21/19: Save the Date for Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
• 5/2/19: Deadlines Extended: 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
• 4/26/19: Announcing Judicial Commission on Mental Health Jurist in Residence Resource Letter
• 4/18/19: 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
• 3/15/19: Engaging Children and Youth in Court
• 3/5/19: Texas Board of Legal Specialization Announces Inaugural Child Welfare Law Specialists
• 2/14/19: Children's Commission Releases Report on Building a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System: A Blueprint
• 2/5/19: Announcing 2019 Spring Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
• 1/17/19: Upcoming Training on Family Drug Court, Child Welfare Information Study, Last Day to submit TST Applications
• 1/10/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Extended to Thursday, January 17th
• 1/3/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Due Thursday, January 10, 2019

Current Scholarships and New Training Announcements

• 8/14/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Supporting School Aged Children in Care
• 9/5/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Adoption of Foreign-Born Children: An Overview for State Court Judges

Previous Announcements:

2024

• 8/1/2024: Scholarship Announcement: Civil Appellate Practice 101 Course
• 7/18/2024: Webinars: Mediation in Child Welfare Cases; Handling Your First Child Welfare Appeal
• 6/18/2024: Understanding the Federal Intersection with Key Texas Child Welfare Laws; Family Protection Representation Mentorship Announcement from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission
• 6/7/2024: Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences; this application period closes at midnight, Wednesday, June 19, 2024
• 4/16/2024: Taking Your First Child Welfare Appeal; Mandamus in Child Welfare Cases Webinar Replay and Materials
• 3/28/2024: Representing Older Youth in Care
• 4/3/2024: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's ; Handling Youth First (or Next) Civil Appeal Webcast Replay.
• 3/26/2024: Trial Skills Training Opportunity: Fall 2024 Contested Hearing Practices Pilot
• 3/12/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
• 2/9/2024: Attorney Scholarship to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Course

2023

• 12/19/2023: Announcing Scholarships to ABA Center on Children and the Law's National Conferences
• 11/13/23: Scholarships to Upcoming NCJFCJ Conferences
• 10/27/2023: Children's Commission Webinars: Now Available: Enhancing the Experience for Parents Involved in Child Welfare Cases, and Upcoming: Trial Skills for Child Welfare Cases: Laying Your Evidentiary Foundation
• 9/12/2023: Children's Commission Webcast: Enhancing the Experience for Parents Involved in Child Welfare Cases
• 8/16/2023: Register Now: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medication: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know
• 8/9/2023: New Online Training Course on Reporting Child Abuse 
• 8/3/2023, Jurist in Residence: Registration Now Open: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25, 2023
• 7/31/2023: Upcoming Webinars: Reasonable Efforts, Psychotropic Medication
• 7/21/2023: Now Available: 88th Legislative Session Update Replay, Materials, and Report
• 6/22/2023: Webinar: 88th Regular Legislative Session Update
• 5/31/2023: Trial Skills Training Participant Opportunity
• 5/11/2023: Judicial and Attorney Scholarships for the NACC 46th National Child Welfare Law Conference
• 5/4/2023: Attorney Scholarships for TexasBarCLE's Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
• 4/28/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 86th Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD
• 3/7/2023: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 2/8/2023: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Courses 
• 1/27/2023: Scholarships for Attorneys Representing DFPS to TDCAA’s 2023 Crimes Against Children Conference
• 1/9/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: ICYMI: Scholarships Re-Opened for NCJFCJ Conference in Dallas Applications Due January 23rd

2018

• 12/19/18 Hands-on Trial Skills Training Opportunity
• 12/7/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas (December 2018)
• 11/30/18 2018 Child Protection Law Bench Book
• 11/9/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas (November 2018)
• 10/3/18 The Education of Children & Youth Placed in Residential Treatment Round Table Report
• 9/26/18 New and Updated Education-Related Resources
• 9/12/18 2018 Study of Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases
• 9/7/18 CPS MCLE and Related Discounts
• 8/24/18 Back to School Reminders for 2018 - 2019
• 8/17/18 Save the Date: MCLE on CPS-Related Issues September 11, 2018
• 8/1/18 The Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
• 7/13/18 Webinar: Kinship Care and Race Equity in Child Welfare
• 6/13/18 DFPS "3 in 30" Program Information and Implementation Schedule
• 5/24/18 Video Conferencing to Increase Family and Youth Engagement
• 5/17/18 Attorney and Judicial Scholarship Deadlines Extended
• 5/9/18 Resources Related to Cultural Competency and Reducing Disproportionality and Disparities
• 5/3/18 Scholarship Deadlines; TBLS Child Welfare Application Extension; TBLS Exam Fee Reimbursement; and DFPS Region 1 Community Meeting
• 4/24/18 TBLS Applications for Specialization Exam in Child Welfare Law Due April 30, 2018
• 4/19/18 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
• 3/22/18 Trial Skills Training Opportunity: July 2018
• 3/13/18 Legal Representation Survey
• 2/26/18 TBLS 2018 Specialization Exam in Child Welfare; Scholarship Opportunity for Inaugural CLE hosted by new Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
• 2/23/18 Judicial Commission on Mental Health
• 2/2/18 Drug Court Grant Opportunity
• 1/30/18 NACC Conference Scholarships; New Child Protection Law Section
• 1/22/18 The Texas Response to Human Trafficking

2017

• 12/13/17 2017 Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book
• 12/1/17 Hearing Notification Service Update - Hearing Alerts by Text Message Now Available
• 11/3/17 Trial Skills MCLE Now Available in the TexasBar CLE Online Classroom
• 10/20/17 Website Update and Children's Commission Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
• 9/29/17 MCLEs and Related Discounts
• 9/18/17 Webcast: MCLE on Trial Skills
• 9/8/17 Undocumented Caregivers in Texas
• 9/1/17 New Laws Effective September 1; Scholarships for 2017 Texas CASA Conference; 2017 Legislative Update Now Available Online
• 8/18/17 Education Considerations for the 2017 - 2018 School Year
• 7/23/17 Texas Higher Education Information and Resource Guide for Foster Care Liaisons
• 7/21/17 2017 Child Protection Judicial Update: 85th Legislative Session
• 7/14/17 Child Protection Legislative Update: 85th Legislative Session Webcast
• 6/16/17 Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) Child Welfare Law Certification Exam
• 5/12/17 Best Practices for Residential Interventions for Youth and their Families: A Resource Guide for Judges and Legal Partners with Involvement in the Children's Dependency Court System
• 4/21/17 Texas Health Steps Medical Checkup 
• 4/7/17 New Education Guides:
• Transition Planning in CPS and Special Education - Encouraging Coordination and Collaboration to Promote Better Outcomes;
• Clarifying Confidentiality: New Guidance on Sharing Information about the Education of Children and Youth in Foster Care
• 3/31/17 ICWA Quick Reference Tools for State Courts
• 3/16/17 Current and Upcoming MCLEs on CPS-related Issues
• 3/3/17 Homeless Youth Handbook
• 2/10/17 American Bar Association (ABA) Resources: Upcoming Conferences and Free MCLE
• 2/3/17 Resources for Parent and Parent Advocates: The Family Helpline and Spanish Version of the Children's Commission's Parent Resource Guide
• 1/27/17 Every Student Succeeds Act Update (December 2016)
• 1/13/17 Free ABA Teleconference: Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood

2016

• 12/12/16 Notice and Engagement Email Notification System Announcement
• 12/2/16 Importance of Youth Voice in Court Proceedings
• 11/18/16 MCLE Video on Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Attorneys
• 10/28/16 Archived MCLE on CPS-related Issues
• 9/30/16 Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) and Family Strength and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
• 8/2016 Notification to Courts of New CASA Screening Procedure
• 5/25/16 Ombudsman for Children and Youth in Foster Care
• 5/2/16 Judicial Guide to Advocate for and Ensure Adequate Funding for Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases
• 4/20/16 Department of Family and Protective Services: Increase in Removals
• 4/14/16 STAR Health Enhancements
• 2/8/16 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment for Foster Children 2016
• 1/8/16 New Texas Case Law on Indian Child Welfare Act

2015

• 12/29/15 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA 2015)
• 11/30/15 Extended Health Care Benefits for Former Foster Youth
• 11/30/15 New Data Available on Education Outcomes for Texas Foster Youth
• 9/15/15 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment for Foster Children 2015
• 9/4/15 Parental Child Safety Placements, or PCSPs
• 8/3/15 84th Session Legislative Update
• 1/22/15 Foster Care and Human Trafficking

2014

• 11/17/14 DFPS Transformation Report and Suggested Statutory Changes
• 9/8/14 Information about Youth Sex Offenders
• 6/21/14 Unaccompanied Alien Children
• 5/30/14 Texas Child Protection Specialty Courts
• 5/8/14 Why It's Important to Consider the Indian Child Welfare Act
• 2/4/14 Education Decision-Making in CPS cases and the New Form 2085-E
• 1/24/14 Medical Consenter Training

2013

• 12/16/13 Family Visitation in CPS Cases
• 10/28/13 Legislative Changes Regarding Medical Care for Foster Youth
• 9/10/13 Back to School - Legislation and Resources to Help Improve Education Outcomes of Students in Foster Care
• 8/14/13 Opiate and Opioid Dependency of Pregnant and Nursing Women
• 7/30/13 Federal Requirements Regarding Specificity in Court Orders
• 3/22/13 Guide for Fathers in CPS cases
• 1/18/13 Permanency Summit Follow-up
• 1/3/13 Texas Mounts Efforts to Improve Educational Outcomes of Children and Youth in Foster Care

2012

• 11/8/12 83rd Session Legislative Proposal on Appointment and Compensation of Counsel in Child Protective Services (CPS) Cases
• 10/3/12 Permanency Care Assistance Program, Part III - Letter
• 6/11/12 Free Spanish language interpretation available by telephone for some courts
• 5/29/12 Court Hearing Practices and Court Costs
• 5/16/12 Subpoena Policy at DFPS
• 3/28/12 New Appellate Rules Applicable to Termination of Parental Rights or State as Managing Conservator
• 2/22/12 Free Online Attorney Training on Representing Parents in CPS Cases Offered by State Bar of Texas
• 2/3/12 CPS realigns staff in response to state budget cuts

2011

• 11/28/11 Psychoactive Medications
• 3/20/11 DFPS Foster Care Redesign
• 3/7/11 Impact of Budget Deficits on CPS

2010

• 12/1/10 Bench Book for CPS Judges
• 10/5/10 Extending Foster Care Beyond 18
• 9/1/10 Implicit Bias in Judicial Decision-Making
• 4/15/10 Permanency Care Assistance Program, Part II- Follow Up
• 3/8/10 Permanency Care Assistance Program, Part I-Basics
• Engagement Efforts to Achieve Permanency: Moving the Focus to the Front of the Case

2009

• 11/10/09 STAR Health & Psychotropic Medications