ABA Center on Children and the Law

04/07/2026

How can the law better protect families before a crisis? Join our webinar on the Caregiver Will, an innovative legal tool that enables parents of minor children to designate trusted guardians and define their family’s support network, ensuring their rights and their child’s care are protected in the event of temporary or permanent incapacity.

Thursday, April 9th at 1:00pm E.T.
Register here:

This webinar will explain the concept of a Caregiver Will, a tool to ensure every parent of a minor child can designate chosen guardians in case they become unable to care for their child either temporarily or permanently. Based on longstanding Supreme Court recognition of parental rights to raise a...

02/25/2026

New: Check out the Center's redesigned suite of trainings for child welfare law professionals. If you want to design a learning experience tailored to organizational or jurisdictional goals, audience, and local context, our team is here to meet your needs!
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/training/

02/23/2026

Webinar: Safety starts with strong families. Join the next "Way Forward Series" Webinar on 2/26 at 1pm ET to hear how Emancipate North Carolina challenges surveillance-driven approaches by building family strengthening models grounded in defense, dignity, and community care. www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/project-areas/legal-representation/a-way-forward/

The National Association of Parent Representation, a multidisciplinary parent representation steering committee within the Center, has started a new series titled " A Way Forward” .

02/20/2026

Listen: Sharwline Nicholson beautifully explains protective action ("survivors are strategic") and calls on all jurisdictions to apply the Nicholson 4 Factor Test in DV-related child welfare cases. Thank you, Sharwline for all you do!

https://youtu.be/UUFc879K93E?si=qIejo-rxSLuO_uPt (Podcast Florida Institute for Child Welfare at FSU's College of Social Work https://ow.ly/WgcH50YiURt (2024 ABA Unification Hero);https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/child_law/nicholsons-four-factors-for-judicial-consideration-in-cases-involving-domestic-violence-and-children.pdf (Nicholson 4 Factor Rubric)

Domestic violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) affect individuals across all demographics. Human services and law enforcement responders often encount...

11/04/2025

Join us in celebrating Family Unification Hero Felicia Risley!

When Felicia’s children were separated from her, she and her partner worked through treatment while navigating multiple placements and setbacks. Support from her family, parent advocate, and attorney helped her stay connected and ultimately reunify.

Today, Felicia works as a parent ally with the Central Washington Legal Preventative Advocacy Project, supporting pregnant mothers and new parents. Her goal is simple and direct:

“Our primary goal is to make it so that mothers are not separated from their children at all."

Read Felicia’s story: https://ow.ly/A3ZP50XmxZ3

10/27/2025

Join us in celebrating Family Unification Heroes, Bridget and Rodney Bowman!

When their family was separated, Bridget and Rodney committed to recovery and rebuilding their lives step by step. With community support, strong advocacy, and faith in each other, they turned setbacks into progress and built a foundation rooted in stability, connection, and hope.

Today, they’re thriving in recovery, raising their son Brandon in the same community where their journey began.

👉 Read Bridget and Rodney’s full story here: https://ow.ly/TrAe50XiuhS

09/10/2025

We’re proud to celebrate Tonia as a Family Unification Hero!

After her children were removed, Tonia fought every single day to bring them home, overcoming addiction and navigating the child welfare system with determination and strength.

Today, she’s the Parent Voice Advocacy Manager at Washington State OPD, uplifting the voices of parents and fiercely advocating for family preservation.

“A natural teacher and fierce advocate,” Tonia continues to inspire others with her unwavering commitment to families.

👉 Read Tonia’s full story here: https://ow.ly/8M2m50WUEj0

08/19/2025

We are excited to celebrate Deyona Kirk as a Family Unification Hero!

“My resilience is deeply rooted in the unwavering support I received from others who simply didn't give up on me, even during my angriest seasons or when I struggled with alcoholism, domestic violence, and school. That persistent belief in me continues to be a powerful motivator.”

Today, that resilience fuels Deyona’s fight for change in the child welfare system. Through advocacy, mentorship, and unwavering dedication, she’s working toward a future where family preservation is the rule, not the exception, and every parent has the support they need to thrive.

Read more about Deyona here: https://ow.ly/89J250WHUgn

08/04/2025

Join us on August 6 at 1:00 PM EST for our next A Way Forward webinar featuring Together with Families, a Georgia-based nonprofit centering trust, connection, and shared power with families. Learn how their Relational Practice Model and Family Support Programs build leadership, stability, and self-advocacy without agency intervention. Register for free here -

Join us for a webinar highlighting the transformative work of Together with Families, a Georgia-based, community-driven nonprofit dedicated to supporting families affected by poverty and those navigating—or at risk of—child welfare involvement. Rooted in their Relational Practice Model, Together...

08/01/2025

Unification Hero

In celebration of Family Unification, we’re honored to uplift Amanda, a Unification Hero and parent advocate in Maryland who transforms her lived experience into daily support for families navigating the child welfare system. 💙👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

“I’m somebody I wish I had when I went through the process. At the end of the day, you should never regret your story—it’s yours. You own it.”

Read more about Amanda’s journey here: https://tinyurl.com/wy9hkz2s