§20331 Findings and purpose

Summary

Provides extra training and technical help for judges, court administrators, and lawyers who work in juvenile and family courts. Many of these courts are getting more abuse and neglect cases because of more reports, more drug-related harm, and too few resources. The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 puts new duties on courts — including checking whether agencies tried to prevent foster care, approving certain voluntary placements without court action, and protecting parents when their relationship with a child is affected — but it gives no help to train judges. Agencies often push courts to follow the rules, but lack of resources can lead to only formal, not meaningful, review. A main goal is to improve how courts handle child abuse and neglect cases by training top court leaders and judges with administrative roles. The focus is on helping courts look at steps that can safely avoid unnecessary or overly long foster care stays.