Children's Justice Initiative (CJI)

CJI Judicial Leadership Toolkit

A new CJI Judicial Leadership Toolkit is now available to help judges lead and facilitate successful and effective county CJI teams. The toolkit includes an overview of the program, CJI team resources, descriptions of state and county roles and responsibilities, and templates designed to support team organization.
 
CJI County Practice Guide: Best Practices for Achieving Safety, Permanency and Well-Being for Abused and Neglected Children
The CJI County Practice Guide is used by County CJI Teams to compare a county’s current practices related to CHIPS, TPR, and Permanency case processing with the practices described in the Guide.  County CJI Teams should identify practice areas needing improvement and develop an action for implementing change. 
 
CJI Permanency Action Plan: Core Strategies to Improve Timely Achievement of Permanency
The CJI Permanency Action Plan lists statutory requirements related to permanency.  County CJI Teams are encouraged to discuss the requirements, identify practice areas where improvements could be made, and develop a plan to implement improved practices.

ABA Standards on Legal Representation

• ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Who Represent Children
• ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Who Represent Parents
• ABA Standards of Practice for Laywers Who Represent County Social Services Agencies

National Best Practice Manuals

• The National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges (NCJFCJ) published a best practices manual entitled "Resource Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases" The purpose of the Resource Guidelines is to "set forth the essential elements of properly conducted court hearings." The Resource Guidelines also "describe the requirements of juvenile protection courts in fulfilling the role placed upon them as a result of the federal and state laws."
• The NCJFCJ published a second manual entitled "Adoption and Permanency Guidelines: Improving Court Practice in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases" Building upon the foundation of the Resource Guidelines, the purpose of the Adoption and Permanency Guidelines is to "set forth the essential elements of best practice for the court processes that lead to a permanent home for children who cannot be reunified with their families."

Minnesota's Rules of Juvenile Protection Procedure and Rules of Adoption Procedure are based upon the principles of the Resource Guidelines and the Adoption and Permanency Guidelines.