This page contains all Article continuing education resources.
ABCs of Guiding the Child
An article with twenty-one tips for raising and guiding children with notes on mutual respect, encouragement, rewards and punishment, understanding misbehavior and other topics.
FamiliesArticle Amazing Brain, The: Birth to Three
An article on infant brain development from birth to thirty-six months of age written by Margie Wagner and Callie Little of Child Development Media.
Early ChildhoodArticle Ask a Mentor
An educational periodical by Dorothy "Dot" Binger published on the Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program blog providing mentor answers to volunteer questions.
Guardians ad LitemArticleWebsite Asperger Syndrome in a School Program
An article discussing the different educational needs had by students with Asperger Syndrome and how best to address them.
DisabilitiesEducational AdvocacyArticle Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger Syndrome
A short article describing Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Asperger Syndrome; early intervention research and locations for additional information.
DisabilitiesEducational AdvocacyMental HealthArticle Birth Parents with Trauma Histories in the Child Welfare System
A guide for court-based child advocates by The National Child Traumatic Stress Network addressing several common questions about trauma in parents and children.
FamiliesArticle Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children
A paper by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD on the consequences of emotional neglect in childhood as it relates to bonding and attachment in maltreated children.
Early ChildhoodFamiliesVictimization of ChildrenArticle Bullying and Victimization Among Students with Disabilities: Effective Strategies for Classroom Teachers
An article by Chad A. Rose, PhD and Lisa E. Monda-Amaya, PhD designed to give teachers, administrators and researchers a fundamental understanding of bullying behavior and strategies for intervening in schools and classrooms.
Educational AdvocacyOlder YouthVictimization of ChildrenArticle CASA/GAL in the News
A weekly email digest of news, national issues about foster care, events and social media content relating to the CASA/GAL network provided by the National CASA Association.
Foster CareGuardians ad LitemArticleNewsletterWebsite Child Fatalities Florida Resources
An index of information, laws, procedures, resources and websites on child fatalities and prevention curated by Florida's Center for Child Welfare.
Domestic ViolenceVictimization of ChildrenArticleWebsite Child Fatality Investigative Response
Florida Department of Children and Families child fatality investigative response procedure CFOP 175-10 published on August 25, 2014.
Domestic ViolenceVictimization of ChildrenArticle Child Protection Summit 2014 Workshop Materials
A large index of articles provided by presenters at the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Protection Summit that took place September 3–5, 2014. Note: Click "Show Description" to reveal the article links for each session.
DependencyArticleWebsite Child Welfare and Family Wellness
Thirteen articles on various topics including developmental outcomes for young children, pre-removal conferences and successful new methodologies, initiatives and programs.
Early ChildhoodArticle Childhood Obesity
A series by the Harvard Medical School looking at childhood obesity rates, the potential for a healthcare emergency, prenatal crisis prevention research and public outreach.
Physical HealthArticleWebsite Children and Domestic Violence
An article by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on domestic violence, how exposure to domestic violence affects children, identifying children affected by domestic violence, therapy options and additional resources.
Domestic ViolenceVictimization of ChildrenArticle Children in the Courtroom: A Potentially Therapeutic Process
A three-page brief by psychologist Carol E. Oseroff with benefits listed by age group; a matrix of legal, practical and emotional considerations; and additional points to consider.
DependencyArticle Children's Bureau Express: Spotlight on Back to School
The September 2014 issue of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services newsletter with articles on the barriers to academic success faced by children and youth in foster care and some promising practices for enhancing their educational stability.
Educational AdvocacyArticleWebsite Children's Trust Report, The
A report by Martin Merzer describing and analyzing the successful 2008 campaign by the Children's Trust of Miami-Dade County to persuade 85.44 percent of voters to reauthorize a tax funding the trust and its health, educational and safety programs.
CommunitiesArticle Closing the Gap: Cultural Perspectives on Family-Driven Care
A paper about the interaction between family involvement in behavioral health systems of care and cultural and linguistic competence, describing family-driven care from four cultural perspectives and the importance of incorporating the family's culture wh
FamiliesArticle Community Partnerships for Protecting Children: Addressing Domestic Violence
An article on forging new approaches to child safety, the emerging evidence of domestic violence in the child welfare caseload and a review of how four communities addressed domestic violence within community partnerships.
Domestic ViolenceArticle Connected by 25: Financing Housing Supports for Foster Youth Transitioning Out
A brief exploring strategies for financing supports and services that help foster youth make successful transitions to adulthood and the need for safe, stable and affordable housing to support a successful transition.
Older YouthArticle Court Reports
A packet of articles with details, checklists and tips on court reports, legally required documents written by guardian ad litem volunteers to provide judges with crucial information needed when preparing decisions.
Guardians ad LitemArticle Criminal Background Check Aid
A quick aid with information on how to research and determine if someone involved in a child's case is incarcerated, was recently arrested or is registered as a sexual offender or predator.
Domestic ViolenceGuardians ad LitemVictimization of ChildrenArticle Critical Issues in Foster Care
An article exploring several critical issues in foster care as reflected in the case of a mother who participated in The Children's Ark, an innovative intervention technique that allowed mothers who had lost custody of their children to live with them.
Foster CareArticle Dependency Outlook, The — Spring 2013
An issue of the Florida Supreme Court Office of the State Courts Administrator's Office of Court Improvement newsletter from April 2, 2013.
DependencyArticle Dependency Outlook, The — Summer 2014
An issue of the Florida Supreme Court Office of the State Courts Administrator's Office of Court Improvement newsletter from August 1, 2014.
DependencyArticle Domestic Violence Publications
An index of publications, reports and resources on domestic violence and prevention curated by Florida's Center for Child Welfare.
Domestic ViolenceVictimization of ChildrenArticleWebsite Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters
A special report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count program on dropout prevention and the need to address the causal issues well before a child enters high school.
Early ChildhoodArticle Educating Children in Foster Care
A report detailing how the Fostering Connections Act of 2008 and state legislative efforts worked to focus on education stability and continuity for children in foster care.
Educational AdvocacyFoster CareArticle Education Department Issues Guidance on Access to Records of Students in Foster Care
An article about federal guidance clarifying an amendment to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) aimed at making it easier for caseworkers, child welfare agencies and tribal organizations to access education records for foster children.
Educational AdvocacyArticleWebsite Effect of Family Income on Risk of Child Maltreatment, The
A paper describing research done to measure the effect of income on the risk of maltreatment reported to the child welfare system and finding consistent evidence of a causal effect.
FamiliesArticle Effects of Separation On Young Children: Implications for Family Court Decision Making
A short paper by Peter Ernest Haiman, PhD on the effects of separation on young children: developing a secure bond, the pain of separation and how family courts need to be more responsive.
FamiliesArticle Engaging Nonresident Fathers in Child Welfare Cases
A brief for guardians ad litem on the impact of nonresident father involvement on child welfare outcomes by the National Quality Improvement Center on Non-Resident Fathers and the Child Welfare System with the American Bar Association and American Humane
FamiliesArticle Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Better Listener
An article by Sarah Green about ways to improve listening skills; understand how tracks and sidetracks work; and apply emotional filters.
Guardians ad LitemArticle Extended Foster Care
A library of extended foster care articles, documents, reference guides, videos, news and websites curated by Florida's Center for Child Welfare at the University of South Florida.
Foster CareArticleVideoWebsite Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
An article by Kathryn Shea with The Florida Center for Early Childhood published in the Summer 2017 issue of the International Journal of Birth and Parent Education.
Early ChildhoodArticle Florida Dependency Benchcard for Psychotropic Medications
Rules, guidelines and procedures on the administration of psychotropic medications to children in the welfare system published by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Psychotropic MedicationArticle Florida Independent Living Services: Outcome Measures and Oversight Activities 2015
A report published on Sunday, January 31, 2016 by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Child Welfare as required by Florida law.
Older YouthArticle Florida Psychotropic Medications Judicial Reference Guide
An informal resource guide compiled by non-medical professionals to help judges have a better understanding of psychotropic medications and their interaction with other drugs and mental health disorders.
Psychotropic MedicationArticle Florida Statewide Assessment Program Schedule 2015–2016
Schedules for the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA), Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) and other statewide assessments for the 2015–2016 school year as revised on Friday, October 30, 2015.
Educational AdvocacyArticle Florida's Center for Child Welfare
A periodic newsletter of articles covering hot topics, new information and resources published by Florida's Center for Child Welfare at the University of South Florida.
CommunitiesDependencyEarly ChildhoodFamiliesFoster CareGuardians ad LitemOlder YouthVictimization of ChildrenArticleNewsletterWebsite Florida's Family-Centered Practice Framework
A paper providing a family-centered practice framework for the child welfare system with descriptions of values, principles and practice expectations as well as considerations for implementation.
FamiliesArticle Fostering Success in Education: National Factsheet on the Educational Outcomes of Children in Foster Care
A research paper from January 2014 on why education matters to children in foster care including nationwide data, findings and references — plus a brief questions and answers sheet.
Educational AdvocacyArticle Fostering the Future
A collection of first-hand accounts of what it means to be a child in state care curated by Children's Rights and updated annually.
Foster CareArticleWebsite Future of Family Engagement in Residential Care Settings, The
A paper summarizing from research and explorations the use of best practices and evidence-based approaches for family-centered care in residential settings.
FamiliesArticle Helping Traumatized Children
A booklet by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD and the ChildTrauma Academy developed to assist parents, caregivers, teachers and various professionals working with maltreated and traumatized children.
Guardians ad LitemVictimization of ChildrenArticle Improving the Quality of Residential Group Care: A Review of Current Trends, Empirical Evidence and Recommendations
A technical report published on Sunday, July 26, 2015 by the Florida State University Florida Institute for Child Welfare.
Older YouthArticle It's Not Always Depression
An article by Hilary Jacobs Hendel about how childhood traumas can manifest themselves later in life with the same symptoms as depression.
Mental HealthArticleWebsite Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Issue Briefs 1–6
Six briefing papers from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative covering foster care topics and a range of related issues.
CommunitiesFamiliesFoster CareOlder YouthArticle Judges' Page, The
A newsletter of articles on various child welfare topics published several times per year by the National CASA Association and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
CommunitiesDomestic ViolenceEarly ChildhoodFamiliesFoster CareGuardians ad LitemMental HealthPsychotropic MedicationSubstance AbuseArticleNewsletterWebsite Master Trust Issues for Children and Youth in Foster Care
A paper detailing Master Trust legal documents used by the Florida Department of Children and Families and courts to hold in trust the money and property intended for the use and benefit of individuals in the legal custody, care or control of or are recei
Foster CareArticle Mental Health Practice Guidelines for Child Welfare
A document with best practices for mental health in child welfare and guidelines on mental health interventions, psychosocial interventions, psychopharmacological interventions, parent engagement and youth empowerment.
Mental HealthArticle Mental Illness in Children
A short article describing common mental illnesses in children; causes and risk factors; signs and symptoms; diagnostic and treatment; and general prognoses.
Mental HealthArticle Mental Retardation
An introductory article on mental retardation with real life stories, signs and symptoms, co-occurring and related disorders, causes, treatment, risk factors and common questions.
Mental HealthArticle Normalcy Training Guide
An educational curriculum manual for normalcy training developed by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Foster CareArticleSlides Normalcy Training Guide
An educational slide presentation for normalcy training developed by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program.
Foster CareArticleSlides Out of Foster Care, Into College
An article about how support programs can help steer foster youth away from crime and instead into educational programs developed by educators to meet their specific needs.
Physical HealthArticleWebsite Parents Aging Out of the Child Welfare System
A technical report published on Thursday, December 10, 2015 by the Florida State University Florida Institute for Child Welfare.
Older YouthArticle Payoffs and Pitfalls of Flagging 'At-Risk' Kids in Early Grades, The
A Youth Radio article describing the pros and cons of using flagging systems to identify potential dropout students and reviewing some of the systems used or under development.
Educational AdvocacyArticleWebsite Pet Therapy in Courts Program
An article on the Second Judicial Circuit's Pet Therapy in Courts Program, providing support to children who are required to attend and/or testify at hearings and other court proceedings.
Guardians ad LitemArticleWebsite Power of Talking to Your Baby, The
An article describing how a child's exposure to language spoken by parents and caretakers from birth to age three may be a key to early learning.
Early ChildhoodArticle Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act
A fact sheet produced by the Children's Defense Fund about the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act (H.R. 4980) introduced during the 113th Congress (2013–2014) and signed into law on September 29, 2014.
FamiliesVictimization of ChildrenArticle Promoting Placement Stability
The Spring 2010 issue of CW360°, a publication of the University of Minnesota School of Social Work Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare.
FamiliesArticle Psychotropic Medication and Children in Foster Care: Tips for Advocates and Judges
A practice and policy brief by JoAnne Solchany, PhD, ARNP on the use of medication in healing; common disorders for which medication may be used for treatment; drawbacks from the use of medications; and additional questions and answers.
DependencyFoster CarePsychotropic MedicationArticle Questions and Answers on Individualized Education Program, Evaluations and Reevaluations
Thirty questions along with cited answers on a range of topics involving individualized education programs (IEPs).
DisabilitiesEducational AdvocacyArticle Relative Placements, Non-Relative Placements and Adoptions Process Revisions
A memorandum with attachments from the Florida Department of Children and Families detailing process revisions for handling criminal history reviews for relative placements, non-relative placements and adoptions effective February 23, 2015.
DependencyArticle Role of Healthy Relationship Interactions in Buffering the Impact of Childhood Trauma, The
A chapter by Christine R. Ludy-Dobson and Bruce D. Perry from 'Working with Children to Heal Interpersonal Trauma: The Power of Play' on how healthy interactions may buffer the impact of trauma.
Guardians ad LitemVictimization of ChildrenArticle Running Away from Foster Care: Youths' Knowledge and Access of Services
A report on research and interviews conducted from December 2008 through July 2009 to study runaway youths in foster care and their knowledge and access of services.
Foster CareArticle Safe Babies Court Teams Project, The
An article about the Safe Babies Court Teams Project, which is focused on improving how the courts, child welfare agencies and related child-serving organizations work together, share information and expedite services for young children.
Early ChildhoodArticle Schools as Mandatory Partners in Ensuring Educational Stability
An article summarizing the shared responsibility of those working with foster youth to ensure educational stability in case plans and reinforcing the shared responsibility for advocacy across the system of care.
Educational AdvocacyArticle Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education: Including Men
A paper discussing how the involvement of men in childcare centers reduces the likelihood of child abuse and neglect, helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all family members and contributes to a child's social and emotional development.
FamiliesArticle Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education: Mental Health Consultation
A paper discussing how children's mental health is critical to their ability to get ready for school, providing help with children's challenging behaviors, the roles of mental health consultants and program examples.
FamiliesArticle Strengthening Families Through Early Care and Education: Promoting Children's Healthy Social and Emotional Development
A paper discussing how promoting children's social and emotional development contributes to reducing child abuse and neglect, ways that programs can promote this development and examples of successful implementations.
FamiliesArticle Students in the Juvenile Justice System
A packet of four articles discussing the topic of students who are in the juvenile justice system.
Educational AdvocacyOlder YouthArticle Sunshine Health Benefits and Rewards
Details about the Sunshine Health plan benefits and rewards programs.
Physical HealthArticle Teaching Children to Calm Themselves
An opinion piece with techniques on identifying the root cause and appropriately dealing with emotional behavior in children.
Older YouthArticleWebsite Teens in Foster Care Less Likely to Talk with Parents on the Dangers of Substance Use
A brief report on the results of a study showing that adolescents in foster care age twelve to seventeen were less likely than those living with biological or adoptive parents to talk with a parent or guardian about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.
Foster CareMental HealthSubstance AbuseArticle Ten Things Every Guardian ad Litem Should Know About IEPs
A one page document with tips for guardians ad litem about individual educational plans (IEPs) prepared by Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida.
Educational AdvocacyArticle Tools of Encouragement
An article on the importance of encouragement, positive feedback that focuses primarily on effort or improvement rather than on outcomes by recognizing, accepting and conveying faith in a child for the mere fact that he or she exists.
FamiliesArticle Trauma In Early Childhood
A newspaper article, a paper by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and a map of Florida's Early Childhood Court.
Early ChildhoodVictimization of ChildrenArticle Trauma Informed Practice and the Opioid Crisis
A discussion guide for health care and social service providers about the links between violence, trauma and opioid addiction by the Centre of Excellence for Women's Health.
Substance AbuseArticle Troubled Children: Diagnosing, Treating and Attending to Context
A special report with information learned from a series of workshops held with a diverse group of clinicians, researchers, scholars and advocates to better understand the controversies surrounding the diagnosis of mental disorders in children and recent i
Mental HealthArticle Tuition Exemption for Students in or Formerly in Nonrelative Custody
A memorandum from the Florida Department of Children and Families on the 2014 amendment to §1009.25, Florida Statutes, expanding tuition fee exemptions to students who are or were in the custody of a nonrelative when they turned eighteen.
FamiliesArticle Waiting Until Pre-K Is Too Little, Too Late
A commentary piece by Vicky Schippers on the need to combat the significant social and academic deficit experienced by young children from poor families.
Early ChildhoodArticleWebsite Zero To Three Journal: Infants and the Opioid Epidemic
The May 2018 (Volume 38 Number 5) issue discussing practice and policy considerations; implications for early relationships and interventions; identifying and addressing gaps in care; and improving child welfare services.
Early ChildhoodSubstance AbuseArticleBooklet
