Product Description

This program looks at the legal frameworks and policy considerations that support placing children with relatives, including statutory preferences, federal and state funding mechanisms, and recent case law. Participants gain insights from experienced practitioners on advocating for kinship placements at every stage of a case, from emergency removals to permanency planning, while addressing common barriers such as licensing requirements, financial challenges, and systemic biases.

Our program explores broader issues related to kinship care, including the role of cultural identity, the impact of trauma, and best practices for supporting families in navigating the child welfare system. Attendees learn how to effectively collaborate with child welfare agencies, guardians ad litem, and the courts to ensure that family connections are preserved whenever possible. Whether representing parents, children, or caregivers, this training provides essential tools for attorneys to advance the best interests of children through kinship placements.

Agenda & Materials

• 1:00pm - 1:25pm

  Kinship Care in Massachusetts

  Iliana Diaz, Esq., Simon Law Group, P.C. , Canton
  
• 1:25pm - 1:50pm

  Strategies for Advocating Kinship Placements During Emergency Removals, Temporary Custody, and Permanency Planning

  Katuscia Pierre-Charles, Esq., Law Office of Katuscia Pierre-Charles , Stoughton
  
• 1:50pm - 2:10pm

  Understanding the Impact of Trauma, Cultural Identity, and Family Dynamics in Placement Decisions

  Breanishea Amaya, Esq., New England Law, Clinical Law Office , Boston
  
• 2:10pm - 2:30pm

  Recent Case Law and Policy Developments Affecting Kinship Care

  Tanesha R. Wright, Esq., Law Office of T.R. Wright , Boston
  

Special Program Materials:

• Practitioner's Guide to State Intervention in the Family

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty