LibGuides: Children and the Law: Child Welfare

Child Welfare Treatises

Legal Rights of Children by Donald T. Kramer (Editor)
Call Number: KF479 .L44 2005
ISBN: 0071726675
Publication Date: 1996-08-01
Three volume treatises with annual supplements. Also available on Westlaw.
The Child's Attorney by Ann M. Haralambie
Call Number: KF 479.H37 1993
ISBN: 0897078241
Publication Date: 1993-01-01
Older book about representing children in custody, adoption, and protection cases but still offers some valuable insights into practical matters such as interviewing children.
Representing the Child Client by Michael J. Dale
Call Number: KF 479.Z9 R46x 1987
ISBN: 0820515841
Publication Date: 1987-01-01
This looseleaf gives practical guidance on representing a juvenile client. Chapters include Litigating on Behalf of Children in Institutions, Legal Rights of Children in Institutions, Representing Children in Juvenile Justice Proceedings, School Discipline and others.
Children's Rights Under the Law by Samuel M. Davis
Call Number: KF9479 .D385 2011
ISBN: 0199795487
Publication Date: 2011-04-15
This general treatise includes child welfare issues in Chapter 8 - Protection from Inadequate Parenting.
Children and the Law: Rights and Obligations by Thomas A. Jacobs
Call Number: Westlaw
Publication Date: 2012
This multi-volume looseleaf covers many topics including: children’s legal rights, child welfare, termination of parental rights, child custody and support, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, dependency and severance, adoption, education, domestic relations, and health care. Chapter 2 deals with Protection of Children and several other chapters touch on welfare issues. This publication is also available on Westlaw, on Westlaw type the title into the main search bar to access this treatise. Use the TOC on Westlaw to find pertinent sections. This title is also available on Lexis.

National Organizations

Juvenile Law Center
A national public interest law firm working to challenge laws, policies, or practices that harm children or to enforce children’s rights. The Juvenile Law Center page includes a resources page with publications, fact sheets, and podcasts. You can filter resources on this page by Child Welfare.
Annie E. Casey Foundation - Child Welfare Page
Child Welfare Information Gateway
"A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we provide access to print and electronic publications, websites, databases, and online learning tools for improving child welfare practice, including resources that can be shared with families." - From the website.
National Conference of State Legislatures -Child Welfare Page

Massachusetts Practice Materials

Massachusetts Juvenile Court Bench Book by Jacqueline Schelfhaudt (Editor)
Call Number: MCLE
Copies in the Law Library Massachusetts collection and Permanent Reserve/AV. Also available on Westlaw and MCLE OnlinePass.
Massachusetts Practice Series
The Massachusetts Practice Series is a set of volumes written by legal experts covering many areas of law. Volumes 44 and 44A of this set by Justice Ireland deals exclusively with Juvenile Law but the following volumes may also be useful for research in the area of child welfare

Vol 1. Family Law and Practice, S. 12.1 et. seq.
Vol. 14B Summary of Basic Law, S. 11.1 et. seq.

These volumes can be found in the Massachusetts Collection of the Law Library or on Westlaw.

Massachusetts Statute & Regulation

Mass General Laws c. 119
Juvenile Law in Massachusetts is primarily governed by Mass General Laws c. 119;
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Link is to a freely available government source; for annotated version use M.G.L.A. (West) or A.L.M. (Lexis) in print or on Westlaw or Lexis.
110 CMR
This section of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with the Department of Children and Families.

Agency Material

Department of Children and Families
The Department of Children and Families (formerly the Department of Social Services) is the state agency responsible for protecting children and helping families in need. The DCF posts unofficial versions of their regulations and polices on this website. Other information found here includes: description of services provided by DCF; other publications and reports; and some forms.

Massachusetts Organizations

Mass Legal Services - Many helpful resources organized by topic inlcuding general resources, court materials, and very select agency decisions from DDS, DHCD, and BSEA.

TAFDC Advocates Guide (2018)

Massachusetts Law Reform Institute - Child Welfare Resources