Noting the increase in false accusations of child sexual abuse where divorce and custody litigation is in progress, this book examines the consequences of such accusations for everyone involved and provides defensive strategies for those falsely accused. The book draws on four case studies, including a personal one, to illustrate the chronology…

Discusses mediation as an alternative to an adversarial approach to divorce. Adressess the role of lawyers and counselors, the role of higher education, custody issues, communication, promoting empowerment and entitlement for women, technology and mediator training, and mediation in the Netherlands. (JAC)

These three issues of 2000-2001 "Focus" present a collection of papers focusing on issues related to poverty. The first issue discusses child support enforcement policy and low-income families, highlighting such issues as fragile families and child wellbeing; low-income families and the child support enforcement system; child support…

This collection addresses child custody decisions and the resultant outcomes for children and their families. The first section of the book examines aspects of the legal decision-making process as well as legislative guidelines affecting custody and post-divorce issues. The second section focuses on post-divorce family patterns for fathers,…

Explores the following policy approaches to drug use by pregnant women: (1) criminal prosecution of the mother; (2) allegations of child neglect against the mother with interruption of custody; and (3) drug treatment. Discusses whether each reduces drug use during pregnancy or improves maternal and infant health and well-being. (JS)

Provides an overview of the Wisconsin child support system. Explores policy and program implications of the child support revision process and makes recommendations for improving revision. Advocates expressing child support orders as a percentage of the noncustodial parents' income to keep the orders updated automatically and replace the need for…

Reviews legal issues related to child custody decision making during and following divorce, and abstracts relevant information from all states. Discusses best interests of the child (BIOC) standard, legal standing of third parties litigating with natural parents, rights and responsibilities of noncustodial parents, and the role of alternative…

Examines a clinical sample of 215 cases of allegations of sexual abuse in families involved in divorce. Cases are categorized according to the circumstances surrounding abuse allegations, clinical substantiation, and legal outcomes. Court substantiation rate is about half the clinic substantiation rate. Nearly one-fifth of parents raising concerns…

The purpose of this qualitative single case study is to explore one grandmother's experience with voluntary kinship care and child welfare services. Voluntary kinship care is pursued as a viable option when out-of-home placement is imminent. Research indicates that voluntary kinship care, as an alternative living arrangement, helps to maintain…

This study explored the appropriateness of kinship care placements by examining the adjustment of 46 children, most of whom were Caucasian, in their grandparents' care. Members of support groups for grandparents who are raising grandchildren were solicited for participation in the study. All participants were the primary caregivers of at least one…

Whether or not to reunite children in out-of-home care with their families of origin is one of the more complicated decisions that child welfare practitioners and administrators face. Ways in which agencies can assess and improve their service delivery system so as to reunite children and their families effectively and promptly are covered in this…

This periodical issue focuses on infants and toddlers and the justice system. The main article is entitled: "Families, Infants and the Justice System," written by Robert Horowitz. It looks at the role of the justice system in family dissolution and creation, the use of courts to resolve disputes, the role of the justice system in family…

This document contains a leader's guide for a program for children of divorce between the ages of 11 and 18, and a manual written for the children and adolescents participating in the program. The leader's guide contains an index to all 12 sessions and the activities for each session. Five units are included: (1) a summary of the state of the art…

This document addresses the needs of mental health consultants involved in decision-making in custody disputes. A psycho-ecological model for assessing contexts of development in cases involving preschool children is presented, and the theoretical basis and rationale for the model are discussed. Issues, instruments, and findings of recent…

Lesson plans, teaching materials, visual aids, and handouts for use in a workshop for child welfare workers on termination of parental rights are provided in this manual. The curriculum is designed to increase understanding of the legal system; knowledge of law, legal procedures, terms and concepts; and decision-making skills and skills needed for…