December 2020Vol. 21, No. 9Letter From Jerry Milner Urging Courts to Continue Providing Judicial Oversight in Child Welfare Pro
On December 4, 2020, Associate Commissioner Jerry Milner issued a letter urging agencies and courts to continue working together to ensure that critical court hearings occur and to give thoughtful consideration to how these concerns affect the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children and families they serve. In addition, the letter encourages agencies and courts to take immediate action to ensure that quality hearings and reviews include a full opportunity to participate, occur timely, and are consistent with federal civil rights obligations. Associate Commissioner Milner also urges agencies and courts to ensure that critical services and supports—especially family time—be provided to parents, children, and young people involved with the child welfare system.
The letter also includes examples of jurisdictions that have been successfully demonstrating how they have been ensuring that families have access to the judicial system despite the ongoing challenges of the past year.