Describes the arguments of those supporting removal of the juvenile status offender from court jurisdiction, as well as the case presented by defenders of the system for retaining court jurisdiction over status offenders. (CM)

Suggests that adoptive family, rather than the agency, decide how soon after placement of the child, the family is ready to legally adopt him. (NH)

Discusses Finnish legislation concerning young delinquents and a mediation program designed to provide an alternative way to deal with crimes and conflicts and to increase community understanding and tolerance. (RJC)

Describes Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN) of Pennsylvania and its impact on increasing and improving quality of special-needs adoptions. Notes that program resulted from increases of children in out-of-home care, program is a public and private initiative, and that since its inception, special-needs agencies have increased, financial and…

Presents a framework for preventive action on federal, state and local levels. Obstacles to the provision of preventive services are indicated and lines of action in the areas of policy, legislation, and program capacity building are recommended. (Author/RH)

Laws and special projects to reduce unplanned long-term foster care are briefly described. Analysis of these laws and projects show that certain components are essential for effectiveness: clear definition of the goal as permanent planning; a review system; and training of agency staff. (Author/SE)

Reports on findings from a study of the status offender, and raises issues pertaining to the legitimacy of existing laws as expressions of public policy. (CM)

Provides information on recent decisions in New York courts in cases involving the right of adult adoptees to inspect sealed adoption records. The effect of these decisions is that any change in the right of access to records must be brought about through legislation, not through the courts. (Author/SS)

Reviews foster child health and the legal background for policy. Discusses components of a comprehensive child health care supervision program. Lack of continuity of care and lack of health information about foster children at time of intake are regarded as major problems contributing to high risk. (NH)

Assesses arguments traditionally advanced for keeping adult authority over children intact and points out the need for revision of the present status of children and youth with respect to legal and extra-legal or moral rights. (JH)

Discusses the legal context of child protective services that provides the framework for all inquiries and knowledge-building in the field. From this foundation, analyzes the definition of a child protective services case, describes who is served by the system, evaluates current system functioning, and identifies outcome measures. Makes…

Annotates four books related to child welfare: (1) "Removing Risks from Children: Shifting the Paradigm" (Alma J. Carten, James R. Dumpson); (2) "Turmoil to Turning Points: Building Hope for Children in Crisis Placements" (Richard Kagan); (3) "Wrongful Adoption: Law, Policy, and Practice" (Madelyn Freundlich, Lisa…

Presents a framework for culture-centered child welfare practice, including child-family-system interactions, service provision, recruitment and retention of homes, and culturally responsive legislation. Argues that in a diverse society, child welfare practice must be responsive to the particularities of various cultures. Asserts that a…

Claims that although agencies specializing in adoption of minority children have been successful in achieving same-race adoptive placements for African American children, funding and support for some of these initiatives have been withheld. Describes successful placement practices used by a private agency in California and a public agency in…

Examines the notion of cultural safety in relation to the duty of care mandate assigned to child welfare workers when the state intervenes in family life, focusing on the vulnerabilities of rural and indigenous youth in New Zealand to cultural racism. Asserts that child welfare professionals have a professional obligation to enhance their cultural…