The Direct Representation Program is diligently working to better serve our youth clients as they navigate through the Child Welfare system. The last year we’ve seen growth in our work, through adding an additional attorney and all of us gaining more experience in the field. However, we’ve also seen challenges working in the child welfare system that do not seem to be improving, and it’s frustrating to not be able to make big systemic changes quickly.
First, we are 75% complete with our research study with the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunity (LEO). Looking back, I can’t believe we made it here. When we first discussed starting a research study, the entire project seemed daunting. We needed to partner with judges, be approved by the Internal Review Board, ensure our process was ethical through the Rules of Professional Conduct, ensure the study would not impact our attorney/client relationship, and collect useful data to inform practice. And yet, month after month the study started to take shape and three years after beginning the process we have almost completed our enrollment goal. The LEO researchers have been supportive and responsive every step of the way, diligently putting together what we needed for our end of the work. We have enjoyed every step of the partnership, and look forward to ongoing collaboration as the enrollment slows down and the data analysis begins.
The hardest part of the last year has been hearing over and over that there are “no foster homes for older youth.” Of course this is not a true statement, but the sentiment is there: Indiana does not have enough foster homes to meet the needs of older youth in the child welfare system. In our experience working with older youth, it feels like our clients are more likely to be placed in a locked residential facility instead of in a community foster home setting. With all the documented dangers of placing a child in a secure facility, we are constantly worried that the option that is truly in the best interest of our client is not available. And separating our clients from their community often results in them becoming depressed.
Looking back over the last almost 6 years since Direct Rep became a full program at Child Advocates, there has been a huge change in the understanding and acceptance of a child’s lawyer’s role in the child welfare system. Most parties and judges know our main focus is the advocate for the child’s wishes, and recognize the importance of that. Six years ago, it was extremely rare for a child in most counties to have a lawyer. Although it is still not the norm, it is also not a new concept. We have slowly shaped the Indiana landscape in child welfare cases, and will continue to do that through positively impacting youth and ensuring they are part of their cases, and not on the sidelines.
