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‹6Times New Roman Regular%ô\  `*Times New RomanTTQÔTable_ATABLE B(((3Þ $¤¤Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó*Ͼ¦ `(CG TimesScalableTable_ATable_BTable_CTable_A d>c$"Small Circleð"ðà0 àTable_BTable_C #Ñ#€YmYXÿÿd#Ñ&ÿÿ0 d dTable_DÔTABLE A #Ñ#€Xd#Ñ ÿÿÿd«<þ6X9`(CourierXôxþ6X@ɹ`7ûX@%ô\  `$Times NewRomanXXjô\  PŽ6G;XP%ô\  `$Times NewRomanÂÂPô\  PŽ6G;ÂP%ô\  `$Times NewRomanGô\  PŽ6G;P)ÿÿ!dxdx«<þ6X9`("Courier 10cpiXôxþ6X@É“8Ç;X@*Ͼ¦ `(CG TimesScalableXXwϾ¦ P쉊7ûXP Ñ  Ñ KÔ_ÔÔ€mX]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ý  ÝÔ‡ X]XXmX]Ôà  àÔ#†mX]XX X]m#ÔÔ‡ X]XXmX]ÔòòÔ_ÔDominguesÔ_Ô€v.€Johnsonóó,€323€Md.€486€(1991)Ô#†mX]XX X]»#Ô($Ó$‘‘òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóTable_ATable_BTable_CTable_DTable_ETable_F((3•z$¥¥Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú. }Ô_ÔÔ‡ X]XXXÔ5.à  àòòÔ_ÔResoureÔ_Ô€Guidelinesóó€(p.93).EEEE)ýÿ!dxdxþÿ dÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ 8Ѱ°ÑѰ°ÑÒ°°ÒÒ°°Ò <‹6Times New Roman RegularPµ¶·/Eþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÔTable_ATABLE A«<þ6X9`(*Courier 12pt10cpiXXxþ6X@ÉJQX@ô\  `*Times New RomanTTXXPô\  PŽ6QXPô\  `*Times New RomanTTÂÂ<ô\  PŽ6QÂPÔ6Times New Roman RegularTable_A #Ñ#€YmYXÿÿd#јHP LaserJet 5/5M - Standard,,,,0 DÔ_ÔÔ€aX]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àNational€Council€of€Juvenile€&€Family€Court€Judges,€òòResource€Guidelines:€Improving€Ð  € Ðà  àCourt€Practice€in€Child€Abuse€&€Neglect€Casesóó,€Reno,€NV:€The€Council€(1995)€p.22.(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular 7Ô_ÔÔ€dX]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àRamsey,€Ô_ÔS.H.Ô_Ô,€ð ðRepresentation€of€the€Child€in€Protection€Proceedings,ðð€òòFamily€Law€Ð ­ (  Ðà  àQuarterlyóó,€vol.17€p.261€(1983).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regularù’ñ* (ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ÄÔ_ÔÔ€„X]XXXÔ4.Ô€{X]XX„X]Ôà  àÔ_ÔIJAÔ_Ô„ABA,€òòStandards€Relating€to€Counsel€for€Private€Partiesóó€(1978).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular Ô_ÔÔ€yX]XXXÔ15.à  àòòFinal€Report€of€the€Governorððs€Task€Force€on€Children€Youth€and€Families€Systems€Ð Ý(X% Ðà  àReformóó,€Lt.€Governor€Kathleen€Kennedy€Townsend,€Chair,€(November€1996).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ÈÔ_ÔÔ€~X]XXXÔ16.à  àRiley,€M.,€òòCorridors€of€Agony:€€A€Review€of€Baltimore€City€Juvenile€Courtóó,€Time€Ð …+( Ðà  à(January€27,€1992).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular !Ô_ÔÔ€}X]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú6Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àAmerican€Bar€Association,€òòStandards€of€Practice€for€Lawyers€who€Represent€Children€in€Ð Å@ Ðà  àAbuse€and€Neglect€Casesóó€(1996).à À à(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ýÔ_ÔÔ€€X]XXXÔ12.à  àSegal,€E.C.,€òòEvaluating€and€Improving€Child€Welfare€Agency€Legal€Representationóó,Ð Õ!P Ðà  àNational€Legal€Resource€Center€for€Child€Advocacy€and€Protection€(1990).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular _Ô_ÔÔ€‚X]XXXÔ13.à  àòòResource€Guidelinesóó€(p.23).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ¹Ô_ÔÔ€wX]XXXÔ14.à  àChild€Welfare€League€of€America,€òòReview€of€the€Maryland€Child€Welfare€Systemóó€Ð 5&°" Ðà  à(1996).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular JÐ -.¨* v ÐÔ_ÔÔ€†X]XXXÔ17.à  àSocial€Security€Act€ðððð€427€(a)€(2)€(B),€471€(a)€(16),€475€(5)€(c),€42€U.S.C.A.€Ô‡ X]XX†X]ÔððððÔ#††X]XX X]¬#Ô€627€(a)€Ð … Ðà  à(2)€(B),€671€(a)€(16),€675€(5)€(c)€(1983).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular .Ô_ÔÔ€ŠX]XXXÔ7.à  àòòLegal€Representation€to€Children€in€Maryland€Child€in€Need€of€Assistance€(CINA)€Ð mè Ðà  àCases:óó€A€Preliminary€Report€by€the€Maryland€Legal€Services€Corporation€(October€8,€Ð ]Ø Ðà  à1990).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ÄÔ_ÔÔ€X]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú8Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àGovernorððs€Commission€on€Legal€Services€Contracts:€€Final€Report€(1992).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ¸Ô_ÔÔ€‘X]XXXÔ9.à  àòòReview€of€the€Maryland€Child€Welfare€Systemóó,€Child€Welfare€League€of€America€Ð ½8 Ðà  à(1996).(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ’Ô_ÔÔ€“X]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú10Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àABA€òòStandardsóó€L„1.(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular ’Ô_ÔÔ€•X]XXXÔÝ ƒB•zÿÝÓ  ÓÚ  Ú11Ú  Ú.Ý  Ýà  àABA€òòStandardsóó€L„2.(ÈhH  Z ‹6Times New Roman Regular((3í¸$¢¢Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý((3í¸$££Ý ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó¹¹'÷ÿ dxdüÿP PdÝ ƒ¤T!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÔ€X]XXXÔÑ8€]XXdðdÈ8ÑÌÌÌò òINTRODUCTIONó óÐ €Ð ÐÌÌÌÓ  ÓTable€of€Contentsà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.H H à1ˆÐ @  ÐÌà  àTHE€BACKGROUND€AND€PURPOSE€OF€THE€FOSTER€CARE€COURT€à Ð àÐ  p  Ðà  àIMPROVEMENT€PROJECT€(Ô_ÔFCCIPÔ_Ô)à‚Ä"Ä"J(#.&&*à2ˆÐ `  ÐÌà  àPROJECT€RESPONSIBILITY€AND€THE€ESTABLISHMENT€OF€THE€Ô_ÔFCCIPÔ_Ô€à Ð àÐ ð@  Ðà  àADVISORY€COMMITTEEà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.ææ!à3ˆÐ à0  ÐÌà  àGOALS€OF€THE€ASSESSMENTà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.¼¼&à4ˆÐ À ÐÌà  àPROJECT€METHODOLOGY€à‚""H(#.ÊÊ#à5„7ˆÐ   ð Ðò òÓ  ÓÑ€H›ÑTHE€BACKGROUND€AND€PURPOSE€OF€THE€FOSTER€CARE€COURTÐ ° ÐIMPROVEMENT€PROJECT€€(Ô_ÔFCCIPÔ_Ô)ó óÐ  ð ÐÓwÓÌPrior€to€the€1970's,€juvenile€and€family€courts€were€expected€only€to€determine€whether€a€child€hadÐ €Ð Ðbeen€abused€or€neglected€and,€if€so,€whether€the€child€should€return€home€under€the€supervision€ofÐ pÀ Ðthe€Department€of€Social€Services€or€be€placed€in€foster€care.€€In€the€mid„1970's,€child€advocatesÐ ` ° Ðbecame€concerned€about€what€was€later€labeled€"foster€care€driftðð„€the€placement€of€€children€inÐ P   Ðfoster€care€for€years,€with€no€oversight€by€the€courts€or€monitoring€of€their€care€by€child€welfareÐ @  Ðagencies.€€Ð 0 € ÐÌò òòòOverview€of€Ô_ÔP.L.Ô_Ô€96„272Ð `  Ðóóó óÌIn€1980,€Congress€enacted€Public€Law€96„272,€the€Adoption€Assistance€and€Child€Welfare€Act€ofÐ ð@  Ð1980.€€The€purposes€of€this€legislation€were€to:€(1)€improve€the€quality€of€care€provided€to€childrenÐ à0  Ðin€foster€care,€(2)€reduce€the€number€of€removals€of€children€from€their€own€homes€for€placementÐ Ð  Ðin€foster€care,€(3)€return€children€from€foster€care€to€their€own€homes€as€soon€as€conditions€in€theirÐ À Ðhomes€permitted,€and€(4)€facilitate€the€adoption€or€other€permanent€placement€for€those€children€whoÐ ° Ðcould€not€or€should€not€be€returned€to€their€homes.€€Ð  ð ÐÌThe€requirements€of€Ô_ÔP.L.Ô_Ô€96„272€transformed€juvenile€courts€having€a€far€more€active€role€in€theÐ €Ð Ðdecision€making€process€in€child€abuse€and€neglect€cases.€€Courts€now€were€required€to€determineÐ pÀ Ðnot€only€whether€the€child€was€maltreated€but€also€whether€efforts€offered€to€families€by€socialÐ `° Ðservices€were€"reasonable"€under€the€circumstances€and€to€ensure€that€timely€permanency€planningÐ P  Ðdecisions€were€achieved€and€procedural€safeguards€were€provided.€€In€addition,€courts€were€requiredÐ @ Ðto€conduct€reviews€every€eighteen€months.Ð 0€ ÐÌSince€1980,€federal€and€State€law€continues€to€be€revamped€and€refined€in€an€effort€to€give€clearerÐ ` Ðdirection€to€social€service€agencies€and€to€the€court.€€At€the€same€time,€the€child€welfare€caseloadÐ P Ðrose€greatly,€the€number€of€hearings€and€the€number€of€persons€required€to€be€present€increased,€andÐ ð@ Ðthe€problems€of€poverty,€violence€and€drug€abuse€exacerbated€the€situation.€€Ultimately,€courts€haveÐ à0 Ðbeen€left€with€an€ever€increasing€burden,€without€an€increase€in€resources.Ð Ð  ÐÌò òòòFederal€Grant€to€the€Statesóóó óÐ °"  ÐÌAs€part€of€the€Omnibus€Budget€Reconciliation€Act€of€1993,€also€known€as€the€Family€PreservationÐ $à" Ðand€Support€Act,€Congress€authorized€$35€million€over€a€period€of€four€years€as€grants€to€enhanceÐ €%Ð # Ðthe€judicial€administration€of€cases€that€involve€foster€care.€€Under€this€grant,€each€participating€stateÐ p&À!$ Ðis€to€(1)€conduct€an€assessment€of€how€its€courts€are€handling€child€abuse€and€neglect€cases€(inÐ `'°"% ÐMaryland€that€is€Child€in€Need€of€Assistance€(CINA),€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€(Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô)€andÐ P( #& Ðsubsequent€Adoption€cases);€(2)€develop€a€plan€to€improve€the€judicial€administration€of€these€cases;Ð @)$' Ðand€(3)€implement€the€plan.Ð 0*€%( ÐÌThe€State€of€Maryland€received€in€March€of€1995€$102,123€to€conduct€the€assessment€and€developÐ ,`'* Ðthe€improvement€plan€and€$193,121€for€each€of€the€following€three€years€to€implement€the€plan'sÐ ° Ðrecommendations.€€A€match€of€25%€is€required€for€each€year€of€the€implementation€phase.€€TheÐ  ð Ðmatch€can€be€in€kind.€€This€report€is€the€result€of€that€assessment.Ð  à Ðò òÓ  ÓPROJECT€RESPONSIBILITY€AND€THE€ESTABLISHMENT€OF€THE€Ô_ÔFCCIPÔ_ÔÐ ° ÐADVISORY€COMMITTEEÐ  ð Ðó óÓ¬ÓÌÌòòò òFederal€Guidelinesó óóóÐ pÀ ÐÌFederal€guidelines€mandated€that€only€the€highest€state€court€in€a€state€was€eligible€to€apply€forÐ P   ÐCourt€Improvement€Project€funds.€Such€an€application€had€to€contain€a€timetable,€budget,€andÐ @  Ðmethodology€for€conducting€the€assessment.€In€addition,€the€State€child€welfare€agency€and€fosterÐ 0 € Ðcare€citizen€review€board€were€required€to€certify€that€both€agencies€were€provided€with€anÐ  p  Ðopportunity€for€review€and€comment.€Also€required€were€€assurances€that€grant€funds€not€needed€forÐ `  Ðthe€assessment€would€be€used€to€implement€recommended€changes€and€that€grant€funds€would€notÐ P  Ðsupplant€other€State€or€local€funds€used€for€similar€purposes.Ð ð@  ÐÌIn€order€to€fulfill€these€federal€requirements€and€to€develop€collaboration€with€other€organizationsÐ Ð  Ðand€individuals€responsible€for€promoting€and€protecting€the€well„being€of€children€and€families€inÐ À Ðthe€foster€care€process,€the€Foster€Care€Court€Improvement€Advisory€Committee€was€formed€by€thenÐ ° ÐChief€Judge€Robert€C.€Murphy,€who€appointed€€Judge€Patrick€L.€Woodward€of€the€District€CourtÐ  ð Ðfor€Montgomery€County€as€Chairperson.€That€Committee€has€met€a€total€of€sixteen€times€over€theÐ à Ðlast€three€years.ò òòòÐ €Ð ÐÌComposition€of€the€Committeeóóó óÐ `° ÐÌMembers€of€the€Committee€have€included€Judges€Richard€H.€Ô_ÔSothoronÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Ô_ÔTeaetteÔ_Ô€S.€Price,€NancyÐ @ ÐB.€Ô_ÔShugerÔ_Ô,€and€Lee€M.€Ô_ÔSislenÔ_Ô,€Juvenile€Master€Ann€R.€Ô_ÔSparroughÔ_Ô,€the€Chairperson€andÐ 0€ ÐAdministrator€of€the€Foster€Care€Review€Board,€and€representatives€of€the€following€persons€orÐ  p Ðorganizations€that€are€involved€in€the€treatment€of€children€and€families€in€foster€care:€the€SecretaryÐ ` Ðof€€Human€Resources,€the€Secretary€of€€Juvenile€Justice,€the€Baltimore€City€Department€of€SocialÐ P ÐServices,€the€Office€of€the€Attorney€General,€the€Legal€Aid€Bureau,€the€Office€of€the€PublicÐ ð@ ÐDefender,€and€the€Court€Appointed€Special€Advocates€program€(CASA).Ð à0 ÐÌMembers€of€the€Committee€assisted€in€the€development€of€the€original€grant€application€andÐ À! Ðparticipated€in€designing€the€assessment€portion€of€the€project.€As€the€results€of€the€data€analysisÐ °"  Ðwere€compiled,€they€were€shared€with€Committee€members€who€then€supplied€valuable€commentsÐ  #ð! Ðand€suggestions.€Overall,€the€Committee€provided€direction€for€the€assessment€throughout€theÐ $à" Ðprojectððs€duration.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ  ,`'* ÐÑH›Ñâ HâѰ°ÑѰ°ÑÒ°°ÒÒ°°Òâ HâÑ  Ñà@LLìàò òGOALS€OF€THE€ASSESSMENTó óˆÐ ° ÐÌò òòòFederal€Requirementsóóó óÐ à ÐÌFederal€guidelines€require€that€each€assessment€identify€the€rules,€standards,€and€criteria€imposedÐ pÀ Ðpursuant€to€state€laws€that€establish€procedures€for€courts€to€achieve€safe,€timely,€and€permanentÐ ` ° Ðplacements€for€abused€and€neglected€children.€€In€addition,€rules€and€procedures,€established€underÐ P   Ðstate€law€or€adopted€by€a€state€court€system€on€its€own€initiative,€that€address€such€matters€as€timeÐ @  Ðtables€for€proceedings€and€representation€of€parents€and€children,€also€should€be€identified.€Ð 0 € ÐÌFollowing€the€review€of€statutes€and€rules,€the€performance€of€state€courts€was€to€be€examined€byÐ `  Ðassessing€processes€and€procedures€including€the€frequency€and€severity€of€judicial€delays€and€€howÐ P  Ðoften€parents€and€children€had€legal€representation€and€the€adequacy€of€such€representation.€Ð ð@  ÐÌBased€upon€the€assessment,€the€final€report€should€contain€€recommendations€for€(1)€changes€in€stateÐ Ð  Ðlaws,€(2)€changes€in€procedures€and€practices€of€the€state€courts€or€of€the€state€agenciesÐ À Ðadministering€foster€care,€adoption,€child€welfare€and€child€protective€services€programs,€(3)Ð ° Ðadditional€education€or€training€of€state€court€judges,€(4)€improvements€in€the€selection,Ð  ð Ðcompensation,€and€training€of€court„appointed€legal€representatives€of€parents€and€children,€and€(5)Ð à Ðimprovements€in€judicial€Ô_ÔcaseflowÔ_Ô€management.Ð €Ð ÐÌò òòòAreas€Excluded€From€The€Assessmentóóó óÐ `° ÐÌSeveral€aspects€of€the€management€of€cases€of€children€in€foster€care€were€not€addressedÐ @ Ðdeliberately.€€Specifically,€the€Ô_ÔFCCIPÔ_Ô€did€not€examine€issues€relating€to€the€Ô_ÔP.L.Ô_Ô€95„608€Indian€ChildÐ 0€ ÐWelfare€Act€of€1978.€Its€exclusion€from€the€report€was€based€upon€conversations€with€employeesÐ  p Ðof€the€Department€of€Human€Resources€who€were,€at€the€time€of€the€assessment,€in€the€process€ofÐ ` Ðdeveloping€regulations€to€conform€to€the€Act.€Possible€changes€in€court€procedures€will€beÐ P Ðconsidered€upon€issuance€of€the€€Department€of€Human€Resources€regulations.Ð ð@ ÐÌAnother€area€excluded€from€the€assessment€was€the€CINA€review€process.€The€implementation€ofÐ Ð  ÐChapters€595€and€596,€Acts€of€1996,€€which€required€courts€to€conduct€review€hearings€every€sixÐ À! Ðmonths€instead€of€the€previously€required€eighteen€months,€lessened€the€suitability€of€the€reviewÐ °"  Ðprocess€for€analysis.€The€implementation€of€recommendations€within€the€report€requiring€moreÐ  #ð! Ðspecific€data€collection€regarding€review€hearings€should€be€considered€as€being€of€the€highestÐ $à" Ðpriority.€Ð €%Ð # ЀÌò òòòPrimary€Goalóóó óÐ `'°"% ЀÌFinally,€unspoken€in€the€recommendations,€but€strongly€implied€in€the€emphasis€on€the€effectiveÐ @)$' Ðgeneration€of€information€in€a€timely€manner,€is€the€desire€that€the€enormous€efforts€undertaken€toÐ 0*€%( Ðobtain€information€in€the€assessment€need€not€be€repeated€at€some€future€date.€Only€through€theÐ  +p&) Ðintroduction€of€new€data€collection€systems€designed€to€assess€performance€and€with€new€methodsÐ ,`'* Ðto€provide€administrators€with€rapid€statistical€feedback€will€such€a€need€not€recur.€In€short,€then,Ð ° Ðthe€primary€goal€of€this€assessment€is€to€ensure€that€it€does€not€have€to€be€done€again.€Ð  ð ÐÐ à ÐÔ‡ X]XXX]ÔÓ  Óò òPROJECT€METHODOLOGYÔ‡ ÂæÂX X]Ôó óÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌÌÔ_ÔÔ#† X]XÂ Âæ0#ÔÔ#†X]XX X]Ò/#ÔÔ€IX]XXX]Ôòòò òReviewÔ_Ô€of€StatutesÐ X Ðó óóóÌThe€first€step€in€the€assessment€process€was€to€conduct€a€comprehensive€review€of€Maryland€statutesÐ è8 Ðand€rules€as€they€relate€to€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€cases€and€to€CINA€cases.€€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€areÐ Ø ( Ðgoverned€primarily€by€Maryland€Ann.€Code,€Family€Law€Art.€ðð5„301€et€seq.€€CINA€cases€areÐ È  Ðcovered€by€Maryland€Ann.€Code,€Ô_ÔCtsÔ_Ô€&€Ô_ÔJudÔ_Ô.€Proc.€Art.€ðð3„801€et.€seq.€€These€statutes€€wereÐ ¸  Ðcompared€with€federal€law,€national€standards€promulgated€by€the€National€Council€of€Juvenile€andÐ ¨ ø  ÐFamily€Court€Judges€(Ô_ÔNCJFCJÔ_Ô),€as€well€as€other€national€and€out„of„state€publications.€€TheÐ ˜ è  Ðconclusion€of€this€review€was€that€Marylandððs€statutory€scheme€is€consistent€€with€€federalÐ ˆØ  Ðrequirements€and€suggested€time„line€standards€recommended€by€various€organizations.€€What€wasÐ xÈ  Ðleft€to€be€determined€was€whether,€in€actual€practice,€Maryland€courts€are€in€compliance€with€€theseÐ h¸  Ðrequirements.Ð X¨  Ѐ€€€òòò òÐ H˜  ÐInterviews€with€Court€Personnelóóó óÐ 8ˆ ÐÌInterviews€were€conducted€with€court€personnel€from€òòeveryóó€jurisdiction€in€Maryland.€€There€are€24Ð h Ðjurisdictions€in€Maryland.€€Judges€and€masters€participated€in€on„site€interviews€in€all€countiesÐ X Ðexcept€Ô_ÔGarrettÔ_Ô€(where€telephone€interviews€were€conducted)€and€Queen€Anneððs€counties.€€AdditionalÐ øH Ðon„site€interviews€were€conducted€with€court€personnel,€including€clerks€of€court,€juvenile€clerks,Ð è8 Ðadoption€clerks,€assignment€clerks,€court€administrators,€and€Differentiated€Case€ManagementÐ Ø( Ðcoordinators€in€all€jurisdictions€with€the€exceptions€of€St.€Mary's€and€Ô_ÔGarrettÔ_Ô€counties.€€During€theÐ È Ðinterviews,€questions€were€asked€concerning€local€practice€variations,€training€needs,€and€courtÐ ¸ Ðstaffing.€€Additionally€all€interviewees€were€asked€for€€individual€comments€regarding€the€processingÐ ¨ø Ðof€CINA€and€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€in€their€jurisdiction.Ð ˜è ÐÌò òòòIntensive€Site€Visits€Ð xÈ Ðóóó óÌòòò òÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases:ó óóó€€Site€visits€were€conducted€in€the€€eight€jurisdictions:€Anne€Ô_ÔArundelÔ_Ô,€Baltimore,€Cecil,Ð X ¨ ÐÔ_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô,€Montgomery,€Prince€George's,€and€Washington€Counties,€as€well€as€Baltimore€City.€€TheseÐ H!˜ Ðjurisdictions€were€selected€because€a€€minimum€of€ten€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€had€been€completed€during€FYðð95.€Ð 8"ˆ  ÐAt€each€site,€a€random€sample€of€files€were€reviewed.€€Hearings€were€observed€(if€possible),€andÐ (#x! Ðinterviews€were€conducted€with€judges€and€other€court€personnel€responsible€for€processing€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_ÔÐ $h" Ðcases.€€When€possible,€discussions€also€were€initiated€with€attorneys€involved€in€the€cases€beingÐ %X # Ðreviewed.€€A€total€of€101€cases€were€reviewed,€approximately€15€hearings€were€observed,€courtÐ ø%H!$ Ðfacilities€were€examined,€and€the€appropriate€court€personnel€and€judges€were€interviewed.€€òòNote:Ð è&8"% ÐAll€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€site€visits€were€conducted€in€the€equity€court€prior€to€the€passage€of€legislation€thatÐ Ø'(#& Ðtransferred€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€to€the€juvenile€court.óó€€€òòò òÐ È($' Ðà  àÌCINA€casesó ó:€€óóThe€CINA€site€visits€were€conducted€in€the€following€jurisdictions:€€Ô_ÔCalvertÔ_Ô,€Caroline,Ð ¨*ø%) ÐÔ_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô,€Howard,€Montgomery,€Prince€George's,€Washington€and€Worcester€Counties,€€as€well€asÐ ˜+è&* ÐBaltimore€City.€€These€sites€were€chosen€because€they€represent€one€jurisdiction€in€each€judicialÐ ° Ðcircuit.€Baltimore€City,€Prince€George's€County€and€Montgomery€County€represent€92%€of€theÐ  ð Ðoriginal€CINA€terminations€in€the€sample€jurisdictions.€€During€the€site€visits€a€statisticallyÐ à Ðsignificant€sample€of€each€jurisdiction's€FY'95€original€terminations€were€reviewed.€€Interviews€wereÐ €Ð Ðconducted€with€the€judges€and€masters€in€each€jurisdiction€who€are€responsible€primarily€Ô_ÔforÔ_Ô€theÐ pÀ ÐCINA€caseload.€Hearing€reviews€were€conducted€in€each€of€the€nine€jurisdictions,€with€the€exceptionÐ ` ° Ðof€Worcester€County.€Juvenile€clerks€in€each€jurisdiction€were€interviewed,€court€facilities€wereÐ P   Ðexamined€and€attorneys€involved€in€the€cases€were€interviewed€when€feasible.€€The€length€of€timeÐ @  Ðspent€in€each€jurisdiction€and€the€amount€of€cases€reviewed€are€detailed€below.Óf¦ÓÐ 0 € ÐÒX°ÒÌÌÔ*‹ƒ°ddd Xdd Xdd XX(#X(#‹ÔÔ,‘”d ÔÔ,rtd ÔÔ,ûtd ÔÔ,Ftd ÔÔ,ÿt” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 6€'''æ6æ6 €Ø€‚l‚ƒƒ„„6ÐÔ_ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔCircuit/CountyÔ_ÔÐ 2€'#R¢'' „„2ÐTotal€Number€of€CasesÐ 2€'#R¢' „„2ÐError€Rate„10%Ð 2€'#R¢' „„2ÐHearing€ReviewsÐ 6€''#R¢' „„6ÐTime€To€Conduct€Site€VisitÐ J€';#R¢ l Ø '' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐFirst€CircuitÐ >Ž ÐÔ_ÔWorcesterÔ#†IX]X IG#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ R€C¥õ '  B@36„„‰B@‰RÐà@> > ‚ à36ˆÐ q€b7>Ž   B@36 B@  ,@14„„‰,@‰qÐà@ôô(8à14ˆÐ e€V7>Ž   ,@14 ,@ # „„‰‰eÐà@773Yà0ˆÐ I€'6+>Ž  #  „„IÐ1€dayÐ J€';#>Ž  L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐSecond€CircuitÐ ‘á ÐCarolineÐ R€CøH'  (@12„„‰(@‰RÐà@> > ‚ à12ˆÐ Q€B7‘á  (@12 (@ „„QÐà@ôô(8à12ˆÐ 2€#‘á „„2Ðà@773Yà1ˆÐ 6€'#‘á „„6Ð1€dayÐ J€';#‘á L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐThird€CircuitÐ ä 4 ÐÔ_ÔHarfordÔ_ÔÐ 2€#K ›' „„2Ðà@ú ú ‚ à47**ˆÐ 2€#ä 4 „„2Ðà@ôô(8à20ˆÐ 2€#ä 4 „„2Ðà@773Yà7ˆÐ 6€'#ä 4 „„6Ð2€half€daysÐ J€';#ä 4 L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐFourth€CircuitÐ 7 ‡ ÐÔ_ÔWashingtonÔ#†IX]X II#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ R€Cž î'  W@92„„‰W@‰RÐà@> > ‚ à92ˆÐ q€b77 ‡  W@92 W@  €@@33„„‰€@@‰qÐà@ôô(8à33ˆÐ q€b77 ‡  €@@33 €@@  $@10„„‰$@‰qÐà@2Yà10ˆÐ U€'B77 ‡  $@10 $@ „„UÐ1€dayÐ J€';#7 ‡ L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐFifth€CircuitÐ Š Ú  ÐÔ_ÔHowardÔ#†IX]X IýN#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ R€Cñ A!'  P@64„„‰P@‰RÐà@> > ‚ à64ˆÐ q€b7Š Ú"  P@64 P@  €A@35„„‰€A@‰qÐà@ôô(8à35ˆÐ p€a7Š Ú#  €A@35 €A@  @7„„‰@‰pÐà@773Yà7ˆÐ T€'A6Š Ú$  @7 @ „„TÐ1€Ô_Ô1/2Ô_Ô€daysÐ J€';#Š Ú% L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐSixth€CircuitÐ Ý - & ÐÔ_ÔMontgomeryÔ#†IX]X IžQ#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ S€DD” '' Ðv@365„„‰Ðv@‰SÐà@  ‚ à365ˆÐ r€c8Ý - ( Ðv@365 Ðv@  €O@63„„‰€O@‰rÐà@ôô(8à63ˆÐ p€a7Ý - )  €O@63 €O@   @8„„‰ @‰pÐà@773Yà8ˆÐ T€'A6Ý - *   @8  @ „„TÐ3€daysÐ J€';#Ý - + L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐSeventh€CircuitÐ 0€ , ÐÔ_ÔCalvertÔ#†IX]X IeT#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ R€C—ç -'  €G@47„„‰€G@‰RÐà@- - ‚ à€47ˆÐ q€b70€ .  €G@47 €G@  4@20„„‰4@‰qÐà@ôô(8à20ˆÐ Q€B70€ /  4@20 4@ „„QÐ`à@&&2Yà€6ˆÐ 6€'#0€ 0 „„6Ð1€day€Ð J€';#0€ 1 L $ ' €$€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐÔ_ÔÔ#†IX]X I W#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔSeventhÔ_Ô€CircuitÐ ƒÓ 2 ÐPrince€Ô_ÔGeorge'sÔ#†IX]X IGY#ÔÔ‡I XIX]ÔÔ_ÔÐ S€Dê: 3' Ð{@445„„‰Ð{@‰SÐà@  ‚ à445ˆÐ r€c8ƒÓ 4 Ð{@445 Ð{@  €S@78„„‰€S@‰rÐà@ôô(8à78ˆÐ q€b7ƒÓ 5  €S@78 €S@  (@12„„‰(@‰qÐà@2Yà12ˆÐ U€'B7ƒÓ 6  (@12 (@ „„UÐ3€daysÐ J€';#ƒÓ 7 L $ ' €:€‚L‚ƒƒ„„JÐEighth€CircuitÐ Ö& 8 ÐBaltimore€CityÐ 2€#= 9' „„2Ðà@ú ú ‚ à2450ˆÐ 2€#Ö& : „„2Ðà@°°'8à275*ˆÐ 2€#Ö& ; „„2Ðà@2Yà30ˆÐ 6€'#Ö& < „„6Ð9€daysÐ H€''7#Ö& = L : ' €j€‚L‚„„HÐTOTALÐ )y> ÐÐ 4€'#à?'' „„4Ðà@ú ú ‚ à3558ˆÐ 4€'#)y@' „„4Ðà@ÒÒ(8à550ˆÐ 4€'#)yA' „„4Ðà@2Yà81ˆÐ 6€''#)yB' „„6Ð22ðð€daysÐ3)')yC L0 j '' 3ÐÔ#†IX]X IÜY#ÔÔ‡IÂæÂXIX]ÔÔ‡ ÂæÂÂIÂæÔÓf¦Óà ° àà  à*€5%€error€rateÐ `°C Ðà ° àà  à**€cases€filed€by€family,€not€by€childÐ dD ÐÔ#†IÂæÂÂ Âæb_#ÔÔ#†IX]XÂIÂæC_#ÔÒ°XÒÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌò òòòQuestionnairesÐ ¸F ÐóóÌó óSeparate€instruments€were€developed€for€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€judges,€CINA€judges,€CINA€masters,€juvenile€clerks,Ð ˜èH ÐÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€attorneys€and€CINA€attorneys.€€After€a€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€site€visit€was€conducted,€questionnaires€were€sentÐ ˆØI Ðto€the€judges€identified€during€the€interviews€and€to€attorneys€whose€names€appeared€in€the€fileÐ xÈJ Ðreviews.€€During€the€CINA€assessment,€questionnaires€were€sent€to,€and€returned€by,€the€CountyÐ h¸K ÐAdministrative€Judge€in€all€24€jurisdictions.€€Each€County€Administrative€Judge€was€asked€toÐ X¨L Ðidentify€those€judicial€officers€in€the€county€who€handle€currently€Ô_ÔorÔ_Ô€were€assigned€Ô_ÔpreviouslyÔ_Ô€toÐ H˜M Ðhear€CINA€cases.€€Sixty„seven€judges€and€seventeen€masters€were€identified€Statewide.€Ð 8ˆN ÐQuestionnaires€were€sent€individually€to€each€judicial€officer.€€Forty„two€judges€(63%)€returnedÐ (xO Ðsurveys,€13€(19%)€responded€that€they€did€not€hear€a€sufficient€number€of€CINA€cases€to€answer€theÐ  hP Ðsurvey€and€12€(18%)€did€not€respond.€€Fourteen€masters€(82%)€returned€completed€questionnaires,Ð !XQ Ðand€one€(6%)€indicated€his€CINA€experience€was€not€recent€enough€to€be€relevant.€Two€mastersÐ ø!HR Ð(12%)€did€not€respond.€€At€least€one€response€was€received€from€every€jurisdiction€with€theÐ è"8S Ðexception€of€Queen€Anneððs€County.€€Ð Ø#(T ÐÌQuestionnaires€relating€to€the€processing€of€CINA€cases€were€returned€by€the€Clerk's€Office€in€allÐ ¸%!V Ð24€jurisdictions.€€In€September€1996,€Statewide€training€for€attorneys€representing€parties€in€CINAÐ ¨&ø!W Ðcases€was€sponsored€by€the€Maryland€Department€of€Human€Resources€and€the€AdministrativeÐ ˜'è"X ÐOffice€of€the€Courts.€€During€that€training€program€questionnaires€were€hand„delivered€to€117Ð ˆ(Ø#Y Ðattorneys.€€Additionally,€approximately€35€questionnaires€were€mailed€to€attorneys€who€did€notÐ x)È$Z Ðattend€the€program.€€One€hundred€and€one€(66%)€of€the€questionnaires€were€returned.€€At€least€oneÐ h*¸%[ Ðresponse€was€received€from€every€jurisdiction€with€the€exception€of€Dorchester€County.Ð X+¨&\ Їòòò òFile€Reviewsó óÐ ° ÐóóÌòòò òÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases:ó óóó€€The€methodology€employed€for€the€case€file€reviews€involved€identifying€in€eachÐ à ÐÔ_ÔjurisdictionÔ_Ô€all€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€that€had€been€concluded€during€FY'95.€€The€result€of€the€proceeding€wasÐ €Ð Ðnot€relevant€to€identifying€the€cases.€€Once€the€total€number€of€cases€in€each€jurisdiction€wereÐ pÀ Ðidentified,€a€statistically€valid€sample€was€reviewed.€Ð ` ° ÐÌA€recurring€criticism€leveled€at€the€court€system€is€how€long€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€take€to€complete,€with€itsÐ @  Ðeffect€on€how€long€children€remain€in€foster€care€without€a€permanent€home.€€Examining€the€timeÐ 0 € Ðtaken€to€conclude€a€case€made€it€possible€to€examine€how€long€each€stage€of€the€process€lasted€fromÐ  p  Ðinitial€filing€through€the€final€disposition.€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÐ `  ÐÌò òòòCINA€cases:óóó ó€€The€methodology€used€in€the€CINA€file€reviews€was€similar€to€that€used€for€the€Ô_ÔTPRsÔ_Ô.€Ð ð@  ÐTo€capture€the€steps€involved€in€completing€a€CINA€case,€it€was€desirable€cases€to€look€at€cases€thatÐ à0  Ðhad€reached€a€disposition€or€had€been€closed€prior€to€disposition.€€FY'95€original€terminations€forÐ Ð  Ðall€CINA€cases€Statewide€were€chosen.€€These€included€cases€that€were€dismissed€prior€toÐ À Ðdisposition,€as€well€as€cases€in€which€a€child€was€returned€home,€placed€in€foster€care,€or€placed€inÐ ° Ðthe€legal€custody€of€some€other€person.€€This€process€permitted€examination€of€how€long€it€took€toÐ  ð Ðcomplete€cases,€how€long€each€stage€took,€who€was€involved€at€each€stage€of€the€proceedings,€whatÐ à Ðtypes€of€information€were€collected€by€the€court,€what€types€of€documents€were€filed,€which€judicialÐ €Ð Ðofficers€heard€the€cases,€and€what€types€of€decisions€were€being€made.€Ð pÀ ÐÌDifficulties€were€encountered€when€trying€to€establish€a€methodology€for€capturing€cases€that€wereÐ P  Ðin€the€review/permanency€planning€process.€€When€the€1996€permanency€planning€legislation€(Chs.Ð @ Ð595€and€596)€was€implemented,€the€Committee€decided€that€data€on€these€cases,€though€capable€ofÐ 0€ Ðillustrating€problems€in€the€system,€would€not€be€relevant€to€the€future€needs€of€the€foster€careÐ  p Ðsystem€because€the€requirements€for€six€month€reviews,€specific€permanency€planning€decisions,Ð ` Ðand€expedited€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€procedures€should€address€some€of€those€concerns.€€Additionally,€the€successÐ P Ðof€this€legislation€in€meeting€the€goals€of€expeditious€permanency€planning€for€children€will€needÐ ð@ Ðto€be€evaluated€once€the€legislation€has€been€in€effect€for€a€period€of€time.Ð à0 ÐÔ_Ôò òÔ_ÔÐ  Ð  Ðà@%ìàCHAPTER€ONEˆÐ ° ÐÌà@BBìàInformation€in€the€Juvenile€CourtˆÐ à ÐÌó óÌTable€of€Contentsà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.H H à8ò òˆÐ ` ° Ðà  àó óÌà  àPRESENT€SOURCES€OF€STATEWIDE€INFORMATIONà‚Ä"Ä"J(#.¦¦7à9ˆÐ @  ÐÌà  àDATA€VARIABLES€USED€IN€THE€JIS€COLLECTION€SYSTEM€FOR€JUVENILE€Ð  p  Ðà  àCASESà‚`"`"I(#.x x à10ˆÐ `  ÐÌà  àPROBLEMS€ENCOUNTERED€IN€IDENTIFYING€CLOSED€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€CASESà‚ü!ü!G(#.ÐÐCà.€11ˆÐ ð@  ÐÌà  àPROBLEMS€ENCOUNTERED€IN€IDENTIFYING€CLOSED€CINA€CASESà‚`"`"I(#.HHDà12ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌòòò ò1.1à  àRecommendation€„€Clarifying€and€Enhancing€the€Collection€of€Basic€Case€Statistics€„€Ð ° Ðà  àJudiciaryó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.  à13ˆÐ  ð Ðòòò ò1.2à  àRecommendation€„€Responsibilityó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.ÚÚ.à14ˆÐ à Ðòòò ò1.3à  àRecommendation€„€Trainingó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.44(à14ˆÐ €Ð Ðòòò ò1.4à  àRecommendation€„€Reportsà‚`"`"I(#.ÎÎ'àóóó ó15òòò òˆÐ pÀ Ð1.5à  àRecommendation€„€Inventory€of€Open€Casesó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.JJ7à15ˆÐ `° Ðòòò ò1.6à  àRecommendation€„€Clarifying€and€Enhancing€the€Collection€of€Basic€Case€Statistics€„Ð P  Ðà  àFiling€Practicesó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.. . à15ˆÐ @ ÐÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ôò òòòÐ  0€ Ðà@ï ï ìàóóCURRENT€SOURCES€OF€STATEWIDE€INFORMATIONˆÐ ° ÐÌÔ_Ôó óÔ#†IX]XX X]¾|#ÔStatisticsÔ_Ô€on€Juvenile€Court€activity€€are€compiled€and€maintained€by€the€Judicial€InformationÐ à ÐSystem€Ô_Ô(JIS)Ô_Ô€Unit€of€the€Administrative€Office€of€the€Courts.€Ô‡ X]XXIX]Ôò òÐ €Ð ÐÌÔ_ÔÔ#†IX]XX X]c~#ÔòòFromÔ_Ô€Automated€Jurisdictionsóóó óÐ ` ° ÐÌÔ_ÔAutomatedÔ_Ô€jurisdictions€supply€statistical€data€to€the€JIS€mainframe€computer€through€the€followingÐ @  Ðprocedures:Ð 0 € ÐÌÝ‚ cÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ cÒÝð"ðà0  àÝ  Ýthe€circuit€courts€for€Howard,€Montgomery,€and€Prince€Georgeððs€Counties€submit€data€byÐ `  Ðmagnetic€tape;݃ cÒíÝŒÐP (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ‚ cÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ cÛ€Ýð"ðà0  àÝ  Ýthe€circuit€courts€for€Anne€Ô_ÔArundelÔ_Ô€and€Carroll€Counties€download€information€from€theirÐ à0  ÐAS400€computers€directly€to€the€€mainframe;݃ cÛ€ö€ÝŒÐÐ (#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ‚ cÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ c ‚Ýð"ðà0  àÝ  Ýthe€Juvenile€Court€in€Baltimore€City€operates€from€an€AS400€computer€and€submits€a€tapeÐ ° Ðto€JIS;€and݃ c ‚;‚݌Рð(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÝ‚ cÿÝÝ  ÝÝ‚ c$ƒÝð"ðà0  àÝ  Ýthe€civil€division€in€Baltimore€City,€which€handles€ongoing€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€and€Adoption€cases,Ð €Ð Ðoperates€directly€from€the€JIS€mainframe.݃ c$ƒ?ƒÝŒÐpÀ(#(# ÐŒÝ  ÝÌThe€Juvenile€Court€in€Montgomery€County€is€in€the€process€of€implementing€a€new€automatedÐ P  Ðsystem€that€will€supply€statistical€data€directly€to€the€Ô_Ômainframe;Ô_ÔÐ @ ÐÌò òòòFrom€Non„Automated€Jurisdictionsóóó óÐ  p ÐÌThe€remaining€of€the€jurisdictions€in€the€State€collect€information€manually€through€the€use€of€caseÐ P Ðlog€sheets.€The€log€sheets€are€submitted€to€JIS€where€data€entry€operators€enter€the€data€directly€intoÐ ð@ Ðthe€mainframe.€Ð à0 ÐÌThe€table€on€the€following€page€illustrates€the€daily€case€log€sheet€currently€utilized€by€the€non„Ð À! Ðautomated€Ô_Ôjurisdictions.Ô_Ô€€With€such€a€variety€of€€submission€methods,€all€of€which€must€have€theÐ °"  Ðsame€data€structure€and€variables,€only€general€court€activity€can€be€compiled.€Ð  #ð! Ðà  àÌò òÌó óÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ ,`'* ЇÌÌÌÌà@ŸŸìàò òDATA€VARIABLES€USED€IN€THE€JIS€COLLECTION€SYSTEM€ˆÐ pÀ ÐÓ  ÓFOR€JUVENILE€CASESó óÐ ` ° ÐÓ§ˆÓÌÌÔ*±ƒd °d‘”d ‘rtd rûtd ûFtd Fÿt” ÿ°(#°(#±ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ "€'''0 €0 € "ÐÓ  ÓTRANSACTION€TYPEÐ 4€''#!” ä  ''' 4Ðà@ÌÌ&ìàCATEGORYˆÐ -€'''” ä '' -ÐÓŠÓà@SS=àHEARINGˆÐ $” ä ''' $Ð1€„€Original€FilingÐ h  Ð2€„€Reopened€CaseÐ X  Ð3€„€Change/CorrectionÐ øH  Ð4€„€Update„Hearing/TrialÐ è8  Ð9€„€TerminationÐ  Ø(  Ð1€„€DelinquencyÐ h  Ð2€„€AdultÐ X  Ð3€„€Child€in€Need€of€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð øH  Ѐ€SupervisionÐ è8  Ð4€„€Child€in€Need€of€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð Ø(  Ѐ€AssistanceÐ È Ð5€„€Guardianship€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ¸ Ѐ(Termination€of€Parental€€€€€€€Ð ¨ø ÐRights)Ð ˜è Ð6€„€Adoption€Ð  ˆØ Ð1€„€1st€day€of€a€multi„day€€€€€€€€Ð h  Ѐ€€hearingÐ X  Ð2€„€Continuation€of€a€multi„€€€€Ð øH  Ѐ€€€day€trial€or€hearingÐ è8  Ð3€„€Last€day€of€a€multi„day€€€€€€Ð Ø(  Ѐ€€trial€or€hearingÐ È  Ð4€„€One€day€trial€or€hearingÐ "€'''' ¸! ……"Ðà@„„%ìàDISPOSITIONˆÐ ' \"'''' 'ÐA€„€Jurisdiction€WaivedÐ à# ÐB€„€DismissedÐ €Ð$ ÐC„€€StetÐ pÀ% ÐD€„€ProbationÐ `°& ÐE€„€Care€and€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð P ' ЀCustody/Committed€to€€€€€€€€€€Ð @( Ðthe€Department€of€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð 0€) ÐSocial€ServicesÐ   p* „„ÐF€„€€Care€and€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð à+ ÐCustody/Committed€to€€€€€€€€€€Ð €Ð, Ðthe€Department€Of€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð pÀ- ÐJuvenile€JusticeÐ `°. ÐG€„€Committed€to€a€Hospital€€€Ð P / Ѐ€€€€FacilityÐ @0 ÐH€„€Institutional€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð 0€1 ЀCommitmentÐ  p2 ÐJ€„€€Transferred€in,€for€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð !`3 ЀSupervisionÐ "P4 ÐK€„€Transferred€outÐ ð"@5 ÐL€„€€Continued€with/without€€€€Ð à6 Ѐ€€€a€FindingÐ €Ð7 ÐM€„€Guardianship€Granted€€€€€€Ð pÀ8 Ѐ€€€€(Termination€of€Parental€€€€Ð `°9 Ѐ€€Rights)Ð P : ÐN€„€€Adoption€GrantedÐ @; ÐX€„€€Other€Conclusion€or€€€€€€€€€Ð 0€< Ѐ€€€DispositionÐ  p=  ÐÌÌA€review€of€the€variables€listed€above€indicate€that,€not€only€is€the€information€collected€of€a€generalÐ ð%@!? Ðnature,€but€dispositions€are€clearly€weighted€toward€the€collection€of€information€from€delinquencyÐ à&0"@ Ðcases.€Ð Ð' #A ÐÌÌÌEntries€referencing€Termination€of€Parental€Rights€and€Adoption€cases€were€added€in€1996€as€aÐ +à&E Ðresult€of€the€transfer€of€jurisdiction€of€these€cases€to€the€Juvenile€Court.Ð ° ÐÌÌÌÐ  pÀ ÐÔ_Ôò òÔ_Ôà@^^ìàPROBLEMS€ENCOUNTERED€IN€IDENTIFYING€CLOSED€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€CASESˆÐ ° ÐÌÌó óThe€focus€of€the€case€file€reviews€was€to€be€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€that€exceeded€180€Ô_ÔdaysÔ_Ô€among€cases€closedÐ €Ð ÐÔ_ÔinÔ_Ô€the€most€recently€completed€fiscal€year.€€Obtaining€a€list€of€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€case€numbers,€however,€involvedÐ pÀ Ðmore€detailed€analysis€than€simply€reviewing€file€Ô_Ônumbers.Ô_ÔÐ ` ° ÐÌBefore€October€1,€1996,€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€throughout€the€state€were€filed€as€civil€cases€in€the€circuit€court.Ð @  ÐDue€to€€similar€confidentiality€requirements,€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€were€placed€routinely€Ô_ÔinÔ_Ô€the€same€fileÐ 0 € Ðcabinet€with€adoption€cases.€In€order€to€simplify€file€location,€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€were€assigned€the€sameÐ  p  Ðtype€of€file€designation€as€adoptions.€As€a€result,Ð `  ÐÌA€similar€problem€was€encountered€when€JIS€attempted€to€produce€an€elapsed€time€report€for€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_ÔÐ ð@  Ðcases.€Then,€as€now,€the€methodology€in€the€collection€of€civil€case€statistics€by€JIS€did€not€separateÐ à0  ÐÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€from€adoption€cases.€Upon€filing,€clerk€personnel€in€non„automated€jurisdictions€wouldÐ Ð  Ðplace€the€case€number€of€a€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€or€adoption€case€on€a€collection€sheet€and€assign€the€same€caseÐ À Ðdesignation,€ð ðGuardianship/Adoption.ðð€€As€a€result,€it€was€impossible€for€JIS€personnel€to€separateÐ ° ÐÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€from€Adoption€cases.€The€document€produced€by€JIS€was,€therefore,€inclusive€of€all€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€andÐ  ð ÐAdoption€cases€filed€in€the€State,€€consisting€of€more€than€2,500€case€numbers.Ð à ÐÌTo€isolate€the€desired€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases,€extensive€research€was€conducted€focusing€upon€the€data€availableÐ pÀ Ðfrom€individual€jurisdictions.€€This€research€included€numerous€phone€calls€to€every€adoption€clerkÐ `° Ðin€the€state,€visits€to€larger€jurisdictions€to€access€their€databases,€a€review€of€computer€printouts€ofÐ P  Ðcases€produced€by€€automated€systems€under€the€control€of€local€€jurisdictions€and€actual€case€reviewÐ @ Ðof€files€over€a€two€month€period.€Through€these€efforts,€the€list€was€narrowed€down€to€450€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_ÔÐ 0€ Ðcases.Ð  p ÐÌContact€also€was€Ô_ÔmadeÔ_Ô€with€the€Foster€Care€Review€Board€and€local€departments€of€social€servicesÐ P Ðoffices€and€counsel€in€an€effort€to€obtain€accurate€case€lists.€It€became€evident€that€neither€of€theseÐ ð@ Ðorganizations€maintained€automated€records€that€were€accessible€based€upon€the€court€disposition.€Ð à0 ÐÔ_Ôò òÔ_ÔÌó óThis€difficulty€can€be€illustrated€by€describing€efforts€undertaken€to€ascertain€an€accurate€list€ofÐ À! Ðclosed€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€in€Baltimore€City.€The€local€automated€system€produced€a€list€of€142€cases€closedÐ °"  Ðin€FYðð95€while€the€JIS€elapsed€time€case€report€only€Ô_ÔlistedÔ_Ô€56€cases.€Of€the€86€cases€not€listed€in€theÐ  #ð! Ðreport,€nine€cases€were€improperly€coded€(see€Appendix€A).€Eventually,€a€list€was€compiled€byÐ $à" Ðinformation€supplied€by€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô,€JIS€and€the€local€Court.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌIn€non„automated€jurisdictions,€it€became€necessary€to€ask€individual€adoption€clerks€to€go€throughÐ `'°"% Ðtheir€docket€books€from€the€last€five€years€and€provide€the€case€numbers€for€all€of€their€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€casesÐ P( #& Ðduring€that€time€period.€Ô_Ôò òÔ_ÔÐ @)$' ÐÌÔ_Ôó óÔ_Ôà@ìì*ìàˆÐ   +p&) Ðà@''ìàò òPROBLEMS€ENCOUNTERED€IN€IDENTIFYING€CLOSED€CINA€CASESó óˆÐ ° ÐÌÌUpon€initiation€of€the€CINA€file€reviews,€the€Judicial€Information€System€was€again€asked€toÐ €Ð Ðproduce€a€report€listing€original€terminations€in€CINA€cases€for€FY'95€including€the€reason€forÐ pÀ Ðdisposition.€€An€elapsed€time€report€was€produced€but,€unfortunately,€it€did€not€include€the€reasonÐ ` ° Ðfor€disposition.€Also,€the€elapsed€time€format€created€practical€difficulties€in€reviewing€the€caseÐ P   Ðnumbers.€Eventually,€a€report€was€received€consisting€of€case€numbers,€each€with€one€of€the€nineÐ @  Ðreasons€for€disposition€(see€previous€table).€Unfortunately,€this€report€still€could€be€produced€Ô_ÔonlyÔ_ÔÐ 0 € Ðin€an€elapsed€time€format€and,€as€with€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases,€this€data€did€not€match€the€information€receivedÐ  p  Ðfrom€other€sources.€€Ð `  ÐÌComparison€of€the€JIS€list€with€information€€from€local€jurisdictions,€made€clear€that€no€StatewideÐ ð@  Ðor€even€systemwide€(courts€with€more€than€one€clerk€processing€juvenile€cases)€criteria€are€beingÐ à0  Ðutilized€for€recording€the€closure€of€a€€CINA€case.€€Juvenile€delinquency€cases€appeared€Ô_ÔfrequentlyÔ_ÔÐ Ð  Ðon€the€JIS€printouts,€as€did€cases€with€dispositions€of€ð ðstetðð€or€ð ðprobationðð€which€are€not€CINAÐ À Ðterms.€€Ô_ÔSomeÔ_Ô€counties€(Montgomery€and€Prince€Georgeððs)€closed€cases€without€a€finding€orÐ ° Ðdisposition.€One€jurisdiction€(Queen€Anneððs)€added€suffixes€€to€cases€that€were€reopened€yet€closedÐ  ð Ðas€original€terminations.€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÐ à ÐÌÔ_ÔSomeÔ_Ô€jurisdictions€closed€cases€according€to€hearing€dates,€while€others€left€them€open€until€theÐ pÀ Ðorder€was€signed€(which€could€be€months€later).€€One€county€(Worcester)€would€close€a€case€afterÐ `° Ðshelter€care€and€not€open€it€again€unless€a€CINA€petition€was€filed,€while€another€(Caroline)€€wouldÐ P  Ðleave€a€shelter€care€case€open€and€never€go€back€and€close€it€even€if€a€CINA€petition€was€never€filed.Ð @ ÐOne€jurisdiction€(Montgomery)€assigned€the€shelter€care€petition€and€€the€CINA€petition€separateÐ 0€ Ðnew€case€numbers,€which€are€an€impression€of€greater€than€actual€caseload.€Most€significantly,€Ð  p ÐBaltimore€City€did€not€close€90%€of€its€original€dispositions.€Ð ` ÐÌIn€Baltimore€City,€the€majority€of€dispositions€reviewed€€were€listed€in€the€QUEST€system€asÐ ð@ Ð"pending€further€review"€which€left€the€case€open€and€never€reported€as€closed€to€JIS.€€As€a€result,Ð à0 Ðboth€the€JIS€report€and€the€Annual€Report€of€the€Maryland€Judiciary€Ô_ÔunderreportedÔ_Ô€Baltimore€CityÐ Ð  ÐCINA€dispositions€by€over€2000€cases.€€The€QUEST€system€could€not€locate€these€cases€and€theÐ À! Ðlocal€department€of€social€services€and€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€also€were€not€able€to€produce€lists€of€closed€cases€withÐ °"  Ðcourt€case€numbers.Ð  #ð! Ѐ€Ð $à" ÐInformation€was€requested€from€the€Foster€Care€Review€Board€as€well.€€The€Ô_ÔFCRBÔ_Ô€supplied€a€listÐ €%Ð # Ðof€cases€for€Baltimore€City€and€Ô_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô€County.€€Many€of€the€Ô_ÔFCRBÔ_Ô€court€case€numbers€did€notÐ p&À!$ Ðcontain€the€correct€number€of€digits.€Several€cases€on€the€list€were€filed€in€the€1980's€thereby€makingÐ `'°"% Ðit€impossible€for€such€a€case€to€have€an€original€disposition€in€1995.€Some€cases€were€entered€by€IDÐ P( #& Ðnumber€and€petition€number,€resulting€in€double€recording.€Finally€the€Ô_ÔFCRBÔ_Ô€list€€included€onlyÐ @)$' Ðthose€children€who€entered€foster€care,€not€those€where€shelter€care€was€not€requested€or€was€denied.€Ð 0*€%( ÐÌÐ ,`'* ÐÔ_ÔAdditionalÔ_Ô€case€review€difficulties€were€experienced€due€to€the€practice€in€some€jurisdictionsÐ ° Ð(Carroll,€Ô_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔWicomico,Ô_Ô€and€Ô_ÔWorcester)Ô_Ô€of€€filing€cases€by€family€rather€than€by€child.€€Ô_ÔÔ_ÔÐ  ð ÐÌEventually,€in€Baltimore€City,€a€random€sample€of€days€on€the€CINA€disposition€docket€was€utilizedÐ €Ð Ðto€estimate€the€total€dispositions€for€the€year€and€develop€a€statistically€significant€sample€of€cases.€Ð pÀ ÐIn€all€other€Ô_ÔjurisdictionsÔ_Ô€the€juvenile€clerk€was€contacted€and,€with€the€assistance€€of€local€automatedÐ ` ° Ðsystems€in€automated€jurisdictions,€project€staff€and€clerk€personnel€reviewed€cases€and€verified€theÐ P   Ðaccuracy€of€the€reported€information,€located€missing€cases,€and€deleted€from€the€list€some€Ô_ÔcasesÔ_Ô€thatÐ @  Ðwere€entered€erroneously.€€Ð 0 € ÐÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔAll€of€this€activity€was€dedicated€to€collecting€and€correcting€information€in€cases€that€were€closed.€Ð `  ЀTo€avoid€the€need€to€repeat€this€process€at€some€future€date,€it€is€imperative€that€the€maintenanceÐ P  Ðof€data€be€thoroughly€revised.€Ð ð@  ÐÌò òòòÌÌÌÌÌÌÌRecommendation€1.1€„€Clarifying€and€Enhancing€the€Collection€of€Basic€Case€Statistics€„Ð `° ÐJudiciaryóóÐ P  ÐÌBasic€case€statistics€should€be€reassessed,€including€the€development€of€clear€guidelines€as€toÐ 0€ Ðwhen€€Child€In€Need€of€Assistance,€Termination€of€Parental€Rights,€and€Adoption€cases€areÐ  p Ðto€be€recorded€as€filed,€terminated€and€reopened€and€why€these€events€occurredó ó.ò òÐ ` Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ó óòòÐ P ÐThe€opening€or€reopening€and€the€closing€of€a€case€should€be€linked€to€specific€court€filings€(suchÐ ð@ Ðas€the€original€petition)€or€a€type€of€disposition€that€would€be€listed€in€the€court€order.€These€filingsÐ à0 Ðmust€be€pre„defined€and€(in€non„automatedÔ#†IX]XX X]E¼#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€jurisdictions)€selected€by€clerk€personnel€from€€a€€listÐ Ð  Ðon€a€revised€data€collection€form€dedicated€specifically€to€CINA,€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô,€and€Adoption€cases.Ð À! ÐPrograms€in€the€automated€jurisdictions€will€have€to€be€revised€in€order€to€conform€to€the€newÐ °"  Ðstandards.€Ð  #ð! ÐÌSince€basic€case€information€regarding€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€was€revised€onlyÔ#†IX]XX X]Á#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€recentlyÔ#†IX]XX X]*Ã#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô,€the€examples€providedÐ €%Ð # Ðbelow€apply€only€to€CINA€cases.€Based€upon€information€collected€€during€file€reviews,€theÐ p&À!$ Ðfollowing€list€of€variables€is€proposed€for€inclusion€as€part€of€the€new€information€system€for€basicÐ `'°"% Ðcase€statistics.Ð P( #& ÐÌÐ 0*€%( ЇÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌò òOriginal€Filing:ó óÐ ° ÐÌ1.à  àPetition€for€Continued€Shelter€Care.Ð à Ð2.à  àPetition€for€Child€in€Need€of€à h àà À àAssistance€(only€in€cases€initiated€as€à Ð ànon„Ð €Ð Ðshelter€care).Ð pÀ ÐÌò òOriginal€Termination:ó óÐ P  ÐÌ1.à  àDismissed€by€the€Court.Ð 0€ Ð2.à  àWithdrawn€by€Department€of€Social€à À àServices.Ð  p Ð3.à  àCommitted€to€Department€of€Social€à À àServices.Ð ` Ð4.à  àCommitted€to€Department€of€Social€à À àServices€and€Department€of€Health€à x àand€MentalÐ P ÐHygieneÔ#†IX]XX X]uÃ#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô.Ð ð@ Ð5.à  àCommitted€to€Department€of€Health€à À àand€Mental€Hygiene€HÔ#†IX]XX X]îÇ#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ôospital.Ð à0 Ð6.à  àCommitted€to€Department€Social€à À àServices€and€Department€Juvenile€à x àJustice.Ð Ð  Ð7.à  àCommitted€to€Department€of€Social€à À àServices€for€Relative€Placement.Ð À! Ð8.à  àCommitted€toóó€òòDepartment€of€Social€à À àServicesÔ#†IX]XX X]–È#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€for€Placement€with€a€à x àSpecificÐ °"  ÐCaretaker.Ð  #ð! Ð9.à  àCustody/Guardianship€to€a€Relative€or€à  àother€Caretaker.Ð $à" Ð10.à  àOrder€of€Protective€Supervision.Ð €%Ð # ÐÌò òRe„Open:Ð `'°"% ÐÌó ó1.à  àReview€Hearing€„€Permanency€Plan.Ð @)$' Ð2.à  àReview€Hearing€„€Emergency.Ð 0*€%( Ð3.à  àReview€Hearing€„€Other€Review.Ð  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðò òTerminate€(Re„Open):Ð ° Ðó óÌ1.à  àPlacement€Continued.Ð à Ð2.à  àPlacement€Modified.Ð €Ð Ð3.à  àRecision€of€Commitment.Ð pÀ ÐÌDue€to€its€extreme€age,€it€is€unlikely€that€the€present€Statewide€data€collection€system€can€beÐ P   Ðmodified€sufficiently€to€conform€to€Year€2000€standards.€Therefore,€it€is€imperative€that€developmentÐ @  Ðof€a€€new€automated€system,€which€should€contain€the€new€data€elements,€be€completed€in€sufficientÐ 0 € Ðtime€for€extensive€testing€prior€to€the€end€of€1999.óóò òòòÐ  p  ÐÌÌRecommendation€1.2€„€Responsibility€for€Revising€Terminology.óóó óÐ ð@  ÐÌò òA€joint€committee,€comprised€of€members€of€the€Committee€on€Juvenile€Law€and€the€Ð Ð  ÐCommittee€on€Family€and€Domestic€Relations€Law,€should€be€formed€to€develop€specificÐ À Ðuniform€€guidelines€regarding€the€terminology€utilized€for€information€collected€andÐ ° Ðmaintained€by€the€Judiciary€for€Child€In€Need€of€Assistance,€Termination€of€Parental€Rights,Ð  ð Ðand€Adoption€cases.ó óÐ à ÐÌòòAs€part€of€this€process,€the€Department€of€Human€Resources,€the€Ô_ÔFCRBÔ_ÔÔ#†IX]XX X]3Ê#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€and€all€other€appropriateÐ pÀ Ðagencies,€should€be€consulted€regularlyÔ#†IX]XX X]¢Ñ#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô.€Specific€focus€should€be€given€to€enabling€the€€sharing€ofÐ `° Ðinformation€€between€the€new€Uniform€Court€System€(UCS)€and€the€new€State€Automated€ChildÐ P  ÐWelfare€Information€€System€(Ô_ÔSACWISÔ_Ô)€under€development€by€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô.óó€Ô#†IX]XX X]:Ò#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔÐ @ ÐÔ#†IX]XX X]½Ó#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔòòÌò òóóòòRecommendation€1.3€„€Trainingóóòòó óÐ  p ÐÌóóò òUpon€completion€of€the€reassessment,€but€prior€to€the€implementation€of€Recommendation€1.2,Ð P Ðtraining€should€be€provided€to€the€Clerkððs€employees€who€process€these€cases.€A€revisedÐ ð@ Ðtraining€manual€should€be€developed€and€issued.€Regional€training€also€should€be€providedÐ à0 Ðto€the€Clerkððs€employees.ó óòòÐ Ð  ÐóóÌòòThe€importance€of€accuracy€in€the€collection€of€data€needs€to€be€demonstrated€to€appropriate€clerkÐ °"  Ðand€court€personnel.€€Ô#†IX]XX X]Ô#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔÐ  #ð! ÐÌò òóóòòRecommendation€1.4€„€Reportsóóòòó óÐ €%Ð # ÐÌò òóóFollowing€implementation€of€these€recommendations,€€monthly€reports€should€be€provided€toÐ `'°"% Ðlocal€jurisdictions,€especially€Clerksðð€Offices,€detailing€the€extent€of€activity€reported€by€thatÐ P( #& Ðjurisdiction€in€the€previous€month.Ð @)$' Ðòòó óÌóóò òòòRecommendation€1.5€„€Inventory€of€Open€Casesóóó óòòÐ  +p&) ÐÐ ,`'* Ðóóò òUpon€initiation€of€Recommendation€1.2,€an€inventory€of€€open€cases€existing€at€that€timeÐ ° Ðshould€be€undertaken€to€validate€and€€in€order€to€conform€their€status€to€the€guidelines€forÐ  ð Ðbasic€case€statistics.Ð à ÐÌòòó óThis€inventory€should€commence€upon€implementation€of€the€new€guidelines€on€July€1,€1998€and€beÐ pÀ Ðcompleted€by€June€30,€1999.€As€much€as€possible,€funding€for€contractual€employees€who€willÐ ` ° Ðundertake€this€project€should€be€supplied€from€the€Foster€Care€Court€Improvement€Grant.Ð P   Ðóóò òòòÌRecommendation€1.6€„€Clarifying€and€Enhancing€the€Collection€of€Basic€Case€Statistics€„€FilingÐ 0 € ÐPracticeóóó óòòÐ  p  ÐÌóóò òThe€Standing€Committee€on€Rules€of€Practice€and€Procedure€should€propose,€and€the€CourtÐ P  Ðof€Appeals€adopt,€a€rule€requiring€attorneys€representing€the€local€departments€of€socialÐ ð@  Ðservices€to€submit€for€filing€a€separate€Child€In€Need€of€Assistance,€Termination€of€ParentalÐ à0  ÐRights,€or€Adoption€petition€for€each€child,€rather€than€one€petition€for€multiple€children.Ð Ð  ÐÌòòó óThis€rule€change€should€be€accompanied€by€an€amendment€to€the€Fee€Schedule€eliminating€theÐ ° Ðoption€of€the€court€to€assess€filing€fees€in€CINA€or€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases.óóÔ#†IX]XX X]½Ö#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€€òòIn€addition,€this€measure€should€notÐ  ð Ðpreclude€efforts€by€the€courts€to€coordinate€hearings€of€siblings.óóÐ à ÐÔ#†IX]XX X]“Þ#ÔÐ  €Ð ÐÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔÑ€2PÔÑÑ€\F,ÑÌò òÓ  ÓCHAPTER€TWOòòÐ  ð ÐÌóóJudges€and€Masters€in€the€Juvenile€Courtó óÐ €Ð ÐÓÇßÓÌÌTable€of€Contentsà‚`"`"I(#.H H à16ˆÐ P   ÐÌà  àINTRODUCTIONà‚`"`"I(#.ì ì à17ˆÐ 0 € ÐÌà  àEXPERIENCE€AND€TRAINING€OF€JUDGES€AND€MASTERS€IN€THE€Ð `  Ðà  àJUVENILE€COURTà‚V!V!F(#.Ž Ž à17„19ˆÐ P  ÐÌò òòò2.1à  àRecommendation€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€€„€Ð à0  Ðà  àInitial€Assignmentóóà‚`"`"I(#.  !àó ó19ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌò òòò2.2à  àRecommendation€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€„Ð ° Ðà  àSemi„Annual€Eventsà‚`"`"I(#.¶ ¶ !àóóó ó20ˆÐ  ð ÐÌò òòò2.3à  àRecommendation€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€„€Ð €Ð Ðà  àAnnual€Conferenceóóà‚`"`"I(#.f f àó ó20ˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àPROCEDURES€FOR€ASSIGNMENT€TO€THE€JUVENILE€COURTà‚`"`"I(#.ºº>à21ˆÐ P  ÐÌò òòò2.4à  àRecommendation€„€Assignment€Procedures€for€Judges€and€Mastersóóà‚`"`"I(#.ººLàó ó21ˆÐ 0€ ÐÌà  àROLE€OF€JUDGES€AND€MASTERSà‚`"`"I(#.)à22ˆÐ ` ÐÌò òòò2.5à  àRecommendation€„€Role€of€Judgesóóà‚`"`"I(#..àó ó23ˆÐ ð@ ÐÌà  àRESOURCES€FOR€THE€JUVENILE€COURTà‚`"`"I(#.´´/à23ˆÐ Ð  ÐÌò òòò2.6à  àRecommendation€„€Adequate€Staffing€Levelsóóà‚`"`"I(#.ff8àó ó23ˆÐ °"  ÐÌò òòò2.7à  àRecommendation€„€Facilities€in€the€Juvenile€Courtóóà‚`"`"I(#.``@àó ó23ˆÐ $à" ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ ,`'* ÐÑ\F,Ñâ \âÑ8€Y]YXXdðXXdð8Ñâ \âÑ  Ñà@ÌÌ$ìàò òINTRODUCTIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÌÌThe€creation€of€the€juvenile€court€was€a€recognition€that€children€are€developmentally€different€fromÐ €Ð Ðadults€and€that€those€differences€should€be€considered€when€children€are€brought€before€the€court.€Ð pÀ ÐThe€caseload€of€the€court,€including€delinquency€as€well€as€child€abuse€and€neglect€cases,€€has€grownÐ ` ° Ðsteadily,€especially€in€recent€years.€With€that€growth€has€come€an€expansion€of€the€authority€of€theÐ P   Ðcourt.€In€addition€to€the€power€to€approve€the€removal€of€a€child€from€the€home,€the€juvenile€courtÐ @  Ðin€Maryland€has€recently€been€assigned€the€authority€to€terminate€parental€rights.€The€complexityÐ 0 € Ðof€the€activities€brought€before€the€court€has€alsoò òòòÐ  p  Ðó óóóexpanded,€due€primarily€Ô#†IX]XX X]‚ß#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ôto€the€federalòòò ò€ó óóóAdoption€Assistance€and€Child€Welfare€Act€of€1980.òòò òÐ `  ÐÌDevelopment€of€Surveysóóó óÐ ð@  ÐÌThe€statute€governing€the€assignment€and€rotation€of€judges€in€the€juvenile€court,€Courts€Article€ðð3„Ð Ð  Ð803,€describes€a€variety€of€qualifications€for€assignment€that€seem€to€address€a€number€of€the€issuesÐ À Ðdescribed€above.€In€order€to€gain€a€better€understanding€of€the€assignment€of€judges€to€the€juvenileÐ ° Ðcourt,€their€background,€and€the€extent€of€available€training,€surveys€were€prepared€and€distributedÐ  ð Ðto€judges€who€were€identified€as€being€assigned€to€the€juvenile€court.Ô#†IX]XX X]ýê#ÔÔ‡X{õXXIX]ÔÐ à Ðà@ïïìàò òEXPERIENCE€AND€TRAINING€OF€JUDGES€IN€THE€JUVENILE€COURTòòó óˆÐ €Ð ÐóóÌUnder€Courts€and€Judicial€Proceedings,€Article€ðð3„803,€judges€assigned€to€hear€juvenile€casesÐ `° Ðshould€have€special€experience€or€training€in€juvenile€cases€and€the€problems€of€children€likely€Ð P  Ðto€come€before€the€court.€Ð @ ÐÌQuestions€were€submitted€to€judges€assigned€to€the€juvenile€court€to€ascertain€the€extent€ofÐ  p Ðcompliance€with€statutory€provisions.€The€responses€from€the€judges€and€masters€are€listed€below.Ô‡ô)9òXX{õÔÐ ` Ðà@Á Á ìàDid€you€have€any€special€experience€in€the€field€of€abuse€and€neglectˆÐ P Ðà@¦ ¦ ìàor€foster€care€in€general€prior€to€your€handling€juvenile€cases?ˆÐ È ÐÌÔ*…ƒ dd( dd ( ( dd ( ( dd ( °(#°(#…ÔÔ,5”d ÔÔ,ët” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 4€'''#X ¨X ¨ €ª€‚¨‚„„4Ðà@D D âàTypes€of€ResponsesˆÐ 6€'''#!P''' „„6Ðà@ÑÑ<Êà€JudgesˆÐ J€';#!P  ¨0 ª ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@aa âàYesˆÐ V€'C€"Ð!'  1@17„„‰1@‰VÐà@xx>Êà17ˆÐ i€'ZB€"Ð"  1@17 ˆ q 1@' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„iÐà@|| âàNoˆÐ V€'CÐ# #'  8@24„„‰8@‰VÐà@xx>Êà24ˆÐ g€''VBÐ# $  8@24 ˆ q 8@' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„gÐà@^^âàNo€AnswerˆÐ U€''B %p %''  ð?1„„‰ð?‰UÐà@¡¡?Êà1ˆÐQGE %p &  ð?1 ˆ0 ¡  ð?'' QÐÌÌÌÌÌÌà@™ ™ ìàIf€you€have€special€experience€in€the€field€of€abuse€and€neglect€or€foster€care,ˆÐ È*&, Ðà@Æ Æ ìà€please€indicate€where€you€acquired€your€experience.€ˆÐ +à&- Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð X,¨'. ÐÔ*rƒ dd5”d 5ët” ë°(#°(#rÔÔ,5”d ÔÔ,øt” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 4€'''#°° €«€‚¨‚„„4Ðà@ê ê âàSources€of€ExperienceˆÐ 6€'''#X¨''' „„6ЂJudgesÐ S€'D,X¨" ¨0 « ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„SÐà@ñ ñ âàOffice€of€the€Public€DefenderˆÐ U€'BØ('  @3„„‰@‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà3ˆÐ q€'bJØ(  @3 ˆ q @' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„qÐà@õ õ âàOffice€of€the€State's€AttorneyˆÐ U€'B(x'  @5„„‰@‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà5ˆÐ h€'YA(x  @5 ˆ q @' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„hÐà@Ÿ Ÿ âàAgency€AttorneyˆÐ U€'Bx È'  @2„„‰@‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà2ˆÐ h€'YAx È  @2 ˆ q @' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„hÐà@È È âàPrivate€PracticeˆÐ U€'BÈ  '  @6„„‰@‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà6ˆÐ h€'YAÈ    @6 ˆ q @' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„hÐà@ âàProbation€OfficerˆÐ U€'B h '  ð?1„„‰ð?‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà1ˆÐ f€''UA h   ð?1 ˆ q ð?' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„fÐà@Y Y âàFoster€Care€Review€BoardˆÐ U€''Bh ¸ ''  ð?1„„‰ð?‰UÐà@¨¨AÑà1ˆÐQGEh ¸  ð?1 ˆ0 ¡  ð?'' QÐÌÌà@1 1 ìàHow€many€years€of€experience€do€you€have€handling€CINA€casesˆÐ ð@  Ðà@§§ìàsince€becoming€a€Judge?ˆÐ ¸  ÐÌÔ*rƒ dd5”d 5øt” ø°(#°(#rÔÔ,5”d ÔÔ,Ct” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 4€'''#H˜ H˜  €ª€‚¨‚„„4Ðà@  âàExtent€of€ExperienceˆÐ 6€'''#ð@''' „„6Ðà@?öàJudgesˆÐ J€';#ð@ ¨0 ª ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@g g âàLess€than€one€yearˆÐ 6€'#pÀ' „„6Ðà@ÍÍBöà6ˆÐ J€';#pÀ ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@r r âàOne€to€three€yearsˆÐ 6€'#À' „„6Ðà@ÍÍBöà8ˆÐ J€';#À ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@£ £ âàFour€to€six€yearsˆÐ 6€'#`' „„6Ðà@ÍÍBöà5ˆÐ J€';#` ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@& & âàSeven€years€or€moreˆÐ 6€'#`°' „„6Ðà@¤¤Aöà20ˆÐ H€''7#`° ˆ q ' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„HÐà@^^âàNo€AnswerˆÐ 6€''#°'' „„6Ðà@ÍÍBöà3ˆÐ3)'° ˆ0 ¡  '' 3ÐÔ#†IôŽšòòô)9 î#ÔÔ‡ ôŽšòòIôŽšÔÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@55ìàDid€you€receive€any€training€in€CINA€casesˆÐ 8ˆ! Ðà@žžìàprior€to€or€after€you€began€to€hear€them?ˆÐ P" ÐÌÔ*rƒ dd5”d 5Ct” C°(#°(#rÔÔ,D”d ÔÔ,4t” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ /€'''à$à €z€‚¨‚ƒƒ/Ðà@O O êàTypes€of€ResponsesˆÐ 8ˆ% ÐÐ -€''' P&''' -Ðà@?þàJudgesˆÐ J€';#8ˆ' ¨ z ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ii êàYesˆÐ 6€'#P! (' „„6Ðà@ªªAþà13ˆÐ J€';#P! ) ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@„„ êàNoˆÐ 6€'# "ð*' „„6Ðà@ªªAþà29ˆÐ H€''7# "ð+ ˆ q ' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„HÐà@llêàNo€AnswerˆÐ 6€''#ð#@,'' „„6Ðà@ÔÔBþà1ˆÐ3)'ð#@- ˆ0 ¡  '' 3ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà@± ± ìàIf€you€have€received€training€in€CINA€cases€after€appointment,ˆÐ (+x&5 Ðà@‘‘ìàplease€indicate€the€source€of€the€training.ˆÐ ð+@'6 ЇÔ*rƒ!" ddD”d D4t” 4°(#°(#rÔÔ,X”d ÔÔ, t” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ /€'''°° €z€‚¨‚ƒƒ/Ðà@\\ôàSources€of€TrainingˆÐ -€'''X¨''' -Ðà@››@ àNumber€ofˆÐ X¨ Ðà@©©@ àResponsesˆÐ J€';# p ¨ z ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ËËôàJudicial€Instituteà@@ôô$ôàˆÐ 6€'#pÀ' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à5ˆÐ J€';#pÀ ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐÓ  ÓNational€Conference€of€Juvenile€and€Family€Court€JudgesÐ ?€',!À ' „„?Ðà@ÞÞD à2ˆÐ J€';#À ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@½½ ôàIn„HouseˆÐ 6€'# `' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à1ˆÐ H€''7# `  ˆ q ' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„HÐÓ  ÓUnspecifiedÐ ?€'',!` °  '' „„?Ðà@ÞÞD à5ˆÐ3)'` °  ˆ0 ¡  '' 3ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàˆÌà@± ± ìàIf€you€have€received€training€in€CINA€cases€after€appointment,ˆÐ °  Ðà@ŸŸìàplease€indicate€the€extent€of€the€training.ˆÐ xÈ  ÐÌÔ*rƒ#$ ddX”d X t” !"°(#°(#rÔÔ,X”d ÔÔ, t” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ /€'''X X  €z€‚¨‚ƒƒ/Ðà@ŠŠôàExtent€of€TrainingˆÐ -€'''° ''' -Ðà@››@ àNumber€ofˆÐ °  Ðà@©©@ àResponsesˆÐ J€';#xÈ  ¨ z ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ûûôàUp€to€one€hourˆÐ 6€'#È' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à1ˆÐ J€';#È ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ˆˆôàOne€to€three€hoursˆÐ 6€'#h' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à5ˆÐ J€';#h ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ÛÛ!ôàOne€dayˆÐ 6€'#h¸' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à2ˆÐ J€';#h¸ ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@­­ ôàTwo€daysˆÐ 6€'#¸' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à1ˆÐ H€''7#¸ ˆ q ' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„HÐà@ggôàThree€days€or€moreˆÐ 6€''#X'' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à4ˆÐ3)'X ˆ0 ¡  '' 3ÐÌÌà@  ìàDo€you€receive,€or€have€access€to,€written€materials€related€to€CINA€issues;ˆÐ à  Ðà@  ìàsuch€as€national€publications€or€appellate€decisions?ˆÐ X¨! ÐÌÔ*rƒ&( ddX”d X t” #$°(#°(#rÔÔ,X”d ÔÔ, t” ÔÔ+  ÔÐ /€'''è8#è8 €z€‚¨‚ƒƒ/Ðà@YYôàTypes€of€ResponsesˆÐ -€'''à$''' -Ðà@››@ àNumber€ofˆÐ à% Ðà@©©@ àResponsesˆÐ J€';#X¨& ¨ z ''' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ss#ôàYesˆÐ 6€'#¨ ø'' „„6Ðà@´´C à35ˆÐ J€';#¨ ø( ˆ q ' €q€‚ˆ‚ƒƒ„„JÐà@ŽŽ#ôàNoˆÐ 6€'#ø!H)' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à6ˆÐ H€''7#ø!H* ˆ q ' €¡€‚ˆ‚„„HÐà@vv ôàNo€AnswerˆÐ 6€''#H#˜+'' „„6Ðà@ÞÞD à1ˆÐ3)'H#˜, ˆ0 ¡  '' 3ÐÔ#†IôŽšòò ôŽšt#ÔÔ‡ô)9òòIôŽšÔÌÔ#†X{õXòô)9–ð#ÔÌThe€survey€results€indicate€a€significant€lack€of€CINA€training.€€It€is€recommended€that€theÐ ø%H!. Ðfollowing€measures€be€taken€to€rectify€this€situation.€Ð è&8"/ ÐÌò òòòÔ#†IX]XXX{õ#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔRecommendation€2.1€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€„€Initial€AssignmentÐ È($1 ÐÌóóUpon€notification€of€such€an€assignment,€the€newly€appointed€judge€or€master€should€beÐ ¨*ø%3 Ðprovided€with€both€appropriate€written€materials,€including€a€revised€and€updated€version€ofÐ ˜+è&4 Ðthe€Ô_ÔBenchbookÔ_Ô,€and€video€instruction€programs€prior€to€the€beginning€of€their€assignment.òòÐ ° ÐÌRecommendation€2.2€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€„€Semi„Annual€EventsÐ à ÐÌóóThe€Judiciary€of€the€State€of€Maryland€should€initiate,€and€the€Judicial€Institute€administer,Ð pÀ Ðregional€single€topic€training€programs€that€would€be€scheduled€for€the€afternoon€and/orÐ ` ° Ðevening.€These€programs€should€occur€semi„annually.òòÐ P   ÐÌRecommendation€2.3€„€Training€of€Juvenile€Judges€and€Masters€„€Annual€Conferenceóóó óÐ 0 € ÐÌò òThe€Judiciary€of€the€State€of€Maryland€should€provide€for,€and€the€Judicial€InstituteÐ `  Ðadminister,€€a€yearly€conference€dedicated€to€the€training€of€judges€and€masters€in€casesÐ P  Ðinvolving€abused€and€neglected€children.€The€first€annual€conference€should€be€scheduled€forÐ ð@  ÐSeptember€of€1998€with€funding€included€as€a€separate€line€item€in€the€Judiciaryððs€FY€1999Ð à0  Ðbudget.€ó óÐ Ð  ÐÌòòThe€content€of€the€conference€should€include€legislative€updates,€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€administrative€requirements,Ð ° Ðnew€federal€mandates,€appellate€decisions,€automation,€and€procedural€changes€required€by€newÐ  ð Ðstatute€and/or€rule.€Holding€the€conference€in€September€would€allow€for€a€timely€review€of€newÐ à Ðlegislation€prior€to€the€usual€implementation€date€of€October€1.€Participants€should€include€judgesÐ €Ð Ðand€masters,€then€hearing,€or€likely€to€hear,€these€cases€in€the€near€future,€relevant€Federal€andÐ pÀ ÐState€officials,€and€prominent€speakers.€Upon€approval€of€the€budget€expenditure€at€the€conclusionÐ `° Ðof€the€1998€legislative€session,€a€planning€committee,€selected€by€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€ofÐ P  ÐAppeals,€should€be€appointed.óóÐ @ ÐÔ#†IX]XX X]A#ÔÔ‡X{õXXIX]ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÔ#†IX]XXX{õÎ##ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ôò òòòÌÐ  0*€%( Ðà@iiìàóóPROCEDURES€FOR€ASSIGNMENT€TO€THE€JUVENILE€COURTòòˆÐ ° ÐÌÌóóó óCourts€and€Judicial€Proceedings€Article,€ðð3„803€directs€the€Circuit€Administrative€Judges€whoseÐ €Ð Ðcircuits€include€Baltimore€City,€Prince€Georgeððs€County,€and€any€other€county€in€which€the€juvenileÐ pÀ Ðcaseload€requires,€to€assign€have€one€or€more€judges€assigned€specially€to€handle€juvenile€cases.Ð ` ° ÐWith€the€exception€of€Montgomery€County,€this€assignment€is€made€by€the€Chief€Judge€of€theÐ P   ÐDistrict€Court.€€All€assignments€are€subject€to€the€approval€of€the€Chief€Judge€of€the€Court€ofÐ @  ÐAppeals.€However,€a€review€of€files€in€the€Court€of€Appeals€Clerkððs€Office€contains€few€requestsÐ 0 € Ðfor€approval€or€orders€signed€by€the€Chief€Judge€authorizing€assignment.€Ð  p  ÐÌOne€possible€explanation,€expressed€during€interviews€with€various€judges,€was€that€€the€notificationÐ P  Ðyielded€little€in€terms€of€concrete€benefits€for€the€assigned€judges.€However,€with€the€initiation€ofÐ ð@  Ðnew€training€programs,€including€the€development€and€dissemination€of€training€materials€to€newlyÐ à0  Ðassigned€judges,€the€need€for€more€specific€notification€procedures€with€greater€uniformity€becomesÐ Ð  Ðmore€understandable.€€ò òòòÐ À ÐÌóóó óWith€respect€to€the€appointment€of€masters,€Courts€and€Judicial€Proceedings€Article,€ðð3„813Ð  ð Ðprohibits€appointment€of€a€master€for€juvenile€causes€unless€the€appointment€is€approved€by€theÐ à ÐChief€Judge€of€the€Court€of€Appeals.€A€review€of€Court€of€Appeal€records,€similar€to€that€undertakenÐ €Ð Ðfor€evidence€of€assignment€of€judges€to€the€juvenile€court,€revealed€even€fewer€indications€of€theÐ pÀ Ðappointment€of€Juvenile€Court€masters.€As€with€judges,€it€can€be€assumed€that€little€in€the€way€ofÐ `° Ðconcrete€benefits€could€be€anticipated€with€formal€notification€of€the€assignment€of€a€master€to€theÐ P  ÐJuvenile€Court.€Indeed,€until€a€formal€request€from€the€Committee€on€Juvenile€Law€to€the€JudicialÐ @ ÐInstitute,€masters€were€not€included€on€the€Instituteððs€mailing€list€for€available€reference€material.Ð 0€ ÐIt€is€hoped€that€this€perception€can€be€altered€with€the€inclusion€of€masters€as€part€of€theÐ  p Ðrecommended€training€programs.Ô#†IX]XX X]$#ÔÔ‡X{õXXIX]ÔÐ ` ÐÌò òòòÔ#†IX]XXX{õh.#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔRecommendation€2.4€„€Assignment€Procedures€for€Judges€and€Masters€ó óóóÐ ð@ ÐÌò òCourts€and€Judicial€Proceedings€€should€be€amended€to€include€a€provision€establishing€aÐ Ð  Ðuniform€procedure€for€circuit€Administrative€judges€to€request€the€assignment€of€a€judge€orÐ À! Ðmaster€to€the€Juvenile€Court.Ð °"  ÐÌòòNotification€of€this€request€for€assignment€should€take€place€sufficiently€in€advance€of€theÐ $à" Ðassignment€to€ensure€that€training€materials€are€provided€to€the€assigned€judge€in€a€timelyÐ €%Ð # Ðfashion.€óóÐ p&À!$ ÐÌòòIn€addition,€procedures€for€notification€of€this€assignment€should€include€creation€of€aÐ P( #& Ðnotification€form.óóó óÔ#†IX]XX X]Æ.#ÔÔ‡X{õXXIX]ÔÐ @)$' ÐÌÌÐ ,`'* ÐÑ2PÔÑâ 2âÑ  Ñâ 2âÑ  ÑÌÌà@Ê Ê ìàà@@$$ìàò òROLE€OF€JUDGES€AND€MASTERòòó óˆÐ à ÐóóÔ#†IX]XXX{õ2#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔÌÌMany€juvenile€courts€throughout€Maryland€are€characterized€by€the€use€of€masters€rather€than€judgesÔ#†IX]XX X]3#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]ÔÐ ` ° Ðas€hearing€officers.€Indeed,€in€several€of€our€larger€jurisdictions,€the€juvenile€court€is€virtually€a€courtÐ P   Ðof€masters,€not€of€judges.€Ð @  ÐÌIt€is€important€to€note,€however,€€that€the€role€of€masters€tends€to€differ€from€jurisdiction€toÐ  p  Ðjurisdiction.€Of€particular€interest€was€the€role€played€by€judges€in€actually€conducting€CINAÐ `  Ðhearings.€The€following€table€states€the€number€of€cases€that€featured€hearings€conducted€by€judges.Ô‡ ôŽšòX X]ÔÐ P  ÐÔ*xƒ)*ddX”d X t” &(°(#°(#xÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ,( dd ÔÔ+  ÔÐ "€'''ð@ ð@  "ÐJurisdictionÐ 4€''#T¤ ''' „„4ÐTotal€Number€of€Cases€ReviewedÐ ?€''',!T¤ "'' „„?ÐCases€With€a€Hearing€ConductedÐ T¤  Ðby€a€JudgeÐ 2€'#!l "''' 2ÐÔ_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô€CountyÐ MCxÈ '  4@20„„‰4@‰MÐ20Ð n€'[1xÈ "  4@20 4@  @4„„‰@‰nÐ4Ð P€'A?xÈ "  @4 @' PÐHoward€CountyÐ MCÔ$'  €A@35„„‰€A@‰MÐ35Ð n€'[1Ô$"  €A@35 €A@  @3„„‰@‰nÐ3Ð P€'A?Ô$"  @3 @' PÐPrince€Georgeððs€CountyÐ MC0€'  €S@78„„‰€S@‰MÐ78Ð n€'[10€"  €S@78 €S@  "@9„„‰"@‰nÐ9Ð R€''A?0€"  "@9 "@' RÐBaltimore€CityÐ U€'DŒÜ'' 0q@275„„‰0q@‰UÐ275Ð €€''mAŒÜ" 0q@275 0q@' Z@104„„‰Z@‰€Ð104ÐQGEŒÜ" Z@104  Z@'' QÐÌÔ#† X]Xò ôŽšò5#ÔÌThe€involvement€of€judges€in€Baltimore€City€is€proportionally€higher€due€to€the€full€time€assignmentÐ <Œ Ðof€a€judge€to€hear€contested€CINA€cases.Ð ,| ÐÌThis,€of€course,€is€not€a€full€reflection€of€the€involvement€of€judges€in€CINA€cases.€Overall,€exceptÐ  \! Ðin€orders€continuing€shelter€care€or€delinquency,€judges€are€required€to€review€the€reports€andÐ üL" Ðrecommendations€issued€by€masters.€As€the€Court€of€Appeals€has€acknowledged,€the€burden€placedÐ ì<# Ðupon€a€judge€reviewing€the€report€and€recommendation€of€the€master€is€substantial.€The€findings€ofÐ Ü,$ Ðfact€of€a€master€may€involve€a€review€by€a€judge€based€upon€hundreds€of€Ð Ì% Ðpages€of€testimony,€all€without€the€added€enhancement€of€personally€observing€witnesses.€Ð ¼ & ÐÌIn€examining€the€issue€of€a€review€by€a€master€in€a€custody€action,€the€Court€of€Appeals€questionedÐ œ"ì( Ðthe€advisability€of€referring€contested€custody€cases€to€a€master€(Ô_ÔDominguesÔ_Ô€v.€Johnson€323€Md.€486Ð Œ#Ü) Ð(1991).Ô_Ô× ƒ4 ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€The€same€concern€applies€in€contested€CINA€cases.€In€addition,€the€level€of€exceptions,Ð |$Ì* Ðwhich€require€a€judge€to,€in€essence,€duplicate€the€work€of€a€master,€must€be€considered.€Therefore,Ð l%¼ + Ðthe€extent€of€involvement€of€judges€in€hearing€juvenile€cases€should€be€defined€carefullyÔ#†IX]XX X]À3#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô.Ð \&¬!, ÐÌÌÌÌÌÐ ü+L'2 Ðòòò òRecommendation€2.5€„Role€€of€Judgesó óóóÐ ° ÐÌò òThe€Standing€Committee€on€Rules€of€Practice€and€Procedure€should€propose,€and€the€CourtÐ à Ðof€Appeals€adopt,€a€rule€clearly€defining€the€role€of€Circuit€Court€judges€in€the€processing€ofÐ €Ð ÐCINA€cases.€Ð pÀ ÐÌòòPossible€criteria€for€the€selection€of€CINA€actions€that€would€be€referred€to€judges€could€includeÐ P   Ðthe€following:€Ð @  ÐÌ(A)€certain€contested€adjudicatory€and€disposition€hearings€that€feature€an€extensive€number€ofÐ  p  Ðwitnesses€and/or€substantial€overall€length€and€complexity.Ð `  ÐóóÌòò(B)€a€percentage€of€new€CINA€filings,€selected€randomlyÔ#†IX]XX X]HC#ÔÔ‡ X]XXIX]Ô€by€clerks€or€other€administrativeÐ ð@  Ðpersonnel,€could€be€assigned€in€their€entirety€to€a€specific€trial€judge.Ð à0  ÐÌRegardless€of€the€criteria€adopted,€careful€consideration€should€be€given€to€the€effect€of€thisÐ À Ðrecommendation€on€the€judicial€workload.Ð ° Ðóóó óÌÌà@  ìàò òRESOURCES€FOR€THE€JUVENILE€COURTó óˆÐ €Ð ÐÌÌInterviews€with€judicial€and€non„judicial€personnel€indicate€serious€concerns€about€€the€level€ofÐ P  Ðresources€available€to€the€juvenile€court.€There€is€ample€reason€to€believe€that€resource€issuesÐ @ Ðcontribute€significantly€to€these€delays.€Furthermore,€the€juvenile€court€faces€a€substantial€increaseÐ 0€ Ðin€workload€pursuant€to€the€enactment€of€Chapters€595€and€596,€Acts€of€1996.€While€staffing€levels€Ð  p Ðhave€improved€recently€with€the€hiring€of€additional€masters€in€certain€jurisdictions,€a€full€reviewÐ ` Ðof€the€methods€utilized€in€determining€staffing€levels€should€be€undertaken.Ð P ÐÌò òòòÌÌRecommendation€2.6€„€Adequate€Staffing€Levelsóóó óÐ À! ÐÌò òSubject€to€implementation€of€Ô_ÔrecommendationsasÔ_Ô€to€€new€methods€of€collecting€and€compilingÐ  #ð! Ðcase€statistics,€the€Judiciary€should€develop€methodology€that€would€define€optimum€staffingÐ $à" Ðlevels€in€the€juvenile€court€for€judges,€masters,€clerks,€and€other€court€staff.ó óÐ €%Ð # ÐÌò òòòRecommendation€2.7€„€Facilities€in€the€Juvenile€Courtóóó óÐ `'°"% ÐÌò òUpon€determination€of€optimum€staffing€levels€in€the€juvenile€court,€the€Judiciary€shouldÐ @)$' Ðconduct€a€needs€assessment€of€the€facilities€in€the€juvenile€courts€and€devise€a€workableÐ 0*€%( Ðfunding€mechanism€to€pay€for€improvements.€€ó óÐ  +p&) ÐÔ#†IX]XX X]¥F#ÔÐ  ,`'* ÐÔ‡X;ùXXIX]Ôà@‹‹$ìàÑ€,ÑÔ#†IX]XXX;ù‹N#Ôò òCHAPTER€THREEˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ššìà€Representation€of€Partiesó óˆÐ à ÐÌTable€of€Contentsà‚`"`"I(#.H H à24ˆÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àRIGHT€TO€COUNSELà‚`"`"I(#.rrà25ˆÐ P   Ðò òÌ3.1à  àòòRecommendation€„€Broadening€Parent€Access€to€Representationó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.ÀÀJà25ˆÐ 0 € Ðò ò3.2òòà  àRecommendation€„€Use€of€Reduced€Fee€Panelsóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.  9à25ˆÐ  p  ÐÌà  àSTANDARDS€OF€REPRESENTATION€FOR€CHILDRENà‚ò ò D(#.ÈÈ7à.€26„28ˆÐ P  ÐÌò ò3.3òòà  àRecommendation€„€Establishment€of€Uniform€Standards€of€RepresentationÐ à0  Ðà  àfor€Childrenó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.  à28ˆÐ Ð  Ðò òÌó óà  àAPPOINTMENT€PROCESSà‚$!$!E(#."""à€28„31ˆÐ ° ÐÌò ò3.4òòà  àRecommendation€„€Prompt€Appointment€of€Counselóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.ÊÊ=à31ˆÐ à ÐÌà  àCONTINUITY€OF€REPRESENTATIONà‚`"`"I(#.  +à31ˆÐ pÀ ÐÌò ò3.5à  àòòRecommendation€„€Continuous€Appointment€of€Counseló óóóà‚`"`"I(#.22Aà32ˆÐ P  ÐÌà  àSELECTION€OF€ATTORNEYSà‚$!$!E(#.PP%à€32„33ˆÐ 0€ ÐÌò ò3.6à  àòòRecommendation€„€Evaluation€of€Quality€of€Purchased€Legal€Contracts€to€Ð ` Ðà  àRepresent€Children€in€CINA/Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€Casesóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.3à32ˆÐ P ÐÌò ò3.7òòà  àRecommendation€„€The€Role€of€the€Judiciary€in€the€Selection€Processóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.ddRà32ˆÐ à0 ÐÌà  àATTORNEY€COMPENSATIONà‚V!V!F(#.ŒŒ$à33„34ˆÐ À! ÐÌò ò3.8òòà  àRecommendation€„€Compensation€of€Attorneys€in€CINA€Casesóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.""Gà34ˆÐ  #ð! ÐÌà  àQUALITY€OF€REPRESENTATIONà‚V!V!F(#.²²(à34„38ˆÐ €%Ð # ÐÌò ò3.9òòà  àRecommendation€„€The€Role€of€the€Judiciary€in€Ensuring€Quality€Ð `'°"% Ðà  àRepresentation€ó óóóà‚`"`"I(#.  à38ˆÐ P( #& Ðò ò3.10à  àòòRecommendation€„€Mandatory€Caseload€Levelsóóó óà‚`"`"I(#.DD9à38ˆÐ @)$' ÐÌÐ   +p&) ÐÑ,Ñâ ,âÑ8€;ùXXdðYXXdð8Ñâ ,âÑ  ÑÑ8€Y]YXXdðXXdð8Ñà@÷÷"ìàà@@÷÷7ìàò òRIGHT€TO€COUNSELˆÐ ° Ðó óÌMaryland€law€is€clear€that€all€parties€in€CINA€and€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€Cases€are€entitled€to€counsel,€and€that€thisÐ à Ðright€attaches€at€the€start€of€the€proceedings:Ð €Ð ÐÌò òòòCINA€cases:€€óóó óA€party€in€a€child€in€need€of€assistance€proceeding€is€entitled€to€the€assistance€ofÐ ` ° Ðcounsel€at€every€stage€of€any€proceeding€under€this€subtitle€[Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€ðð€3„821(a)€&€Rule€11„106„53].€€AÐ P   Ðparty€is€a€child€who€is€the€subject€of€a€petition,€the€child's€parent,€guardian,€or€custodian,€and€theÐ @  Ðpetitioner€[Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€ðð3„801].Ð 0 € Ðò òÌó óA€child's€parent,€guardian,€or€custodian€in€a€CINA€proceeding€is€not€entitled€to€the€assistance€ofÐ `  Ðcounsel€at€State€expense€unless:€(1)€the€party€is€the€custodial€parent€or€guardian€of€the€child€allegedÐ P  Ðto€be€in€need€of€assistance,€(2)€the€party€is€€indigent,€and€(3)€the€proceeding€is€a€shelter€care€hearing,Ð ð@  Ðan€adjudicatory€hearing,€a€disposition€hearing,€or€a€review€hearing€in€which€the€State€has€moved€toÐ à0  Ðremove€the€child€from€the€custody€of€the€party€or€the€party€has€moved€to€regain€custody€and,€due€toÐ Ð  Ðthe€presence€of€complex€factual€or€legal€issues,€the€assistance€of€counsel€is€necessary€to€ensure€thatÐ À Ðthe€proceeding€does€not€entail€the€risk€of€erroneous€deprivation€of€custody€[Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„821(b)].Ð ° ÐÌThe€assessment,€however,€revealed€that€this€law€is€not€being€followed€consistently€throughout€theÐ à ÐState.€As€will€be€demonstrated€in€a€later€section,€the€process€of€appointing€attorneys€for€indigentÐ €Ð Ðparents€in€most€counties€results€in€virtually€no€representation€for€parents€at€shelter€care€hearings€andÐ pÀ Ðagain€at€review€hearings.€€Parents€who€do€not€qualify€for€the€Office€of€Public€DefenderÐ `° Ðrepresentation€will€likely€be€unrepresented.€The€assessment€found€that€the€local€department€of€socialÐ P  Ðservices€was€represented€100%€of€the€time€at€all€stages€of€the€proceeding€and€that€attorneys€wereÐ @ Ðalways€appointed€for€children,€although€in€some€of€the€smaller€counties,€the€shelter€care€hearingÐ 0€ Ðmight€be€held€without€the€child's€attorney€being€present.€€€Ð  p Ðò òÌòòRecommendation€3.1€„€Broadening€Parent€Access€to€Representation€óóÐ P ÐÌÔ_ÔCJÔ_Ô€ðð3„821€(b)€(1)€and€(3)€should€be€modified€or€removed.€€The€custodial€relationship€betweenÐ à0 Ðthe€parent€and€child€should€be€eliminated€as€a€factor€in€deciding€whether€or€not€the€parent€isÐ Ð  Ðentitled€to€representation.€€Custodial€agreements€change€frequently€during€these€proceedingsÐ À! Ðand€parents€should€have€equal€access€to€representation.€€Additionally,€attorneys€for€parentsÐ °"  Ðshould€be€available€to€represent€those€seeking€representation€at€the€shelter€care€hearing€andÐ  #ð! Ðat€review€hearings.Ð $à" ÐÌòòRecommendation€€3.2€„€Use€of€Reduced€Fee€PanelsóóÐ p&À!$ ÐÌThe€Judiciary€should€be€encouraged€to€look€to€other€sources€of€attorneys€€available€for€theÐ P( #& Ðrepresentation€of€parents€who€fall€just€above€the€Ô_ÔindigencyÔ_Ô€guidelines.€€Services€of€reduced€feeÐ @)$' Ðpanels€who€have€been€screened€by€the€judges€and€who€have€at€least€some€minimum€amountÐ 0*€%( Ðof€training€in€CINA€issues€should€be€sought€out.Ð  +p&) Ðòòó óÐ ,`'* ÐRepresentation€should€be€more€accessible€in€order€to€comply€with€the€Ô_ÔNCJFCJÔ_Ô€Resource€GuidelinesÐ ° Ðwhich€state€€that€"each€party€must€be€competently€and€diligently€represented€in€order€for€juvenileÐ  ð Ðand€family€courts€to€function€effectively."€€Each€party€should€have€access€to€representation€at€eachÐ à Ðstage€of€the€proceedings,€especially€in€any€proceeding€bearing€on€parents'€rights€to€custody€of€theirÐ €Ð Ðchildren.× ƒ` ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€ò òóóÐ pÀ ÐÌòòÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases:óó€€ó óIn€an€involuntary€termination€of€parental€rights€proceeding,€the€court€shall€appointÐ P   Ðseparate€counsel€to€represent€an€individual€who€is€the€subject€of€the€proceeding€and€an€indigentÐ @  Ðparent€is€represented€by€the€Public€Defender.€[FL€5„323(a)(1)(ir)€&€(b)(1),€Rule€9„106(a)].Ð 0 € ÐÌJurisdictions€again€are€interpreting€differently€when€the€right€to€counsel€attaches€in€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_ÔÐ `  Ðproceedings.€€In€some€counties,€the€process€of€appointing€an€attorney€for€the€parent€will€not€beginÐ P  Ðuntil€a€parent€is€located,€is€served,€files€a€notice€of€objection,€and€requests€counsel€(which€can€be€1„2Ð ð@  Ðyears€after€filing),€and€counsel€for€the€child€is€€appointed€after€that.€€In€other€counties,€counsel€forÐ à0  Ðthe€child€is€appointed€at€the€time€the€petition€is€filed€in€every€case.€In€a€very€few€jurisdictions,Ð Ð  Ðcounsel€for€parents€may€be€appointed€at€filing€if€€DSS€knows€the€parents€will€object€to€the€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€orÐ À Ðif€the€parent€is€disabled.Ð ° ÐÌMaryland€Legal€Services€(Ô_ÔMLSPÔ_Ô),€a€program€within€the€Community€Services€Administration€ofÐ à ÐÔ_ÔDHRÔ_Ô,€was€created€in€1971€for€the€purpose€of€ensuring€legal€representation€in€the€circuit€courts€to,Ð €Ð Ðamong€others,€children,€in€proceedings€in€which€a€department€of€social€services€is€a€party€to€the€case.€Ð pÀ ÐTherefore,€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€controls€the€process€of€providing€counsel€for€all€children€involved€in€CINA€andÐ `° ÐÔ_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€in€all€counties€in€Maryland€with€the€exception€of€Montgomery€County.Ð P  ÐÓ  Óò òÌSTANDARDS€OF€REPRESENTATIONÐ 0€ ÐÌÌÓ  Óó óNothing€in€the€Maryland€statutes€or€rules€addresses€an€attorneyððs€specific€duties€or€obligations€asÐ P Ðthey€relate€to€standards€of€representation€for€children€in€CINA€cases.€However,€in€addition€to€theÐ ð@ Ðright€to€counsel€provision€of€Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„821(a),€the€legislature€enacted€the€following:€In€CINA€cases€Ô_ÔCtsÔ_Ô.Ð à0 Ð&€Ô_ÔJudÔ_Ô.€Proc.€ðð3„834€adds€a€requirement€for€the€appointment€of€an€attorney€to€represent€the€òòinterestóóÐ Ð  Ðof€the€child€in€addition€to€the€requirements€relating€to€the€appointment€of€counsel€for€children,€whereÐ À! Ðit€appears€that€the€protection€of€the€rights€of€the€child€require€independent€representation.€€It€appears,Ð °"  Ðtherefore,€that€by€enacting€the€requirement€to€appoint€an€attorney€to€represent€the€best€interest€of€theÐ  #ð! Ðchild€in€certain€circumstances,€the€legislature€may€have€intended€for€the€right€to€counsel€provisionÐ $à" Ðto€require€attorneys€to€represent€their€clients€according€to€the€clientððs€wishes.€€Additionally€theÐ €%Ð # ÐMaryland€Lawyers'€Rules€of€Professional€Conduct€state€"A€lawyer€shall€abide€by€a€client's€decisionsÐ p&À!$ Ðconcerning€the€objectives€of€representation"€(Rule€1.2(a))€and€"When€a€client's€ability€to€makeÐ `'°"% Ðadequately€considered€decisions...is€impaired...because€of€minority...the€lawyer€shall,€as€far€asÐ P( #& Ðreasonably€possible,€maintain€a€normal€client„lawyer€relationship€with€the€client"€(Rule€1.14(a)).€Ð @)$' ÐÌThe€value€of€independent€counsel€for€children€was€first€recognized€in€the€landmark€case€òò€óóòòIn€re€Ô_ÔGaultÔ_Ôóó,Ð  +p&) Ð387€U.S.€1€(1967).€€Ô_ÔGaultÔ_Ô,€however,€did€not€suggest€a€detailed€model€of€competent€legalÐ ,`'* Ðrepresentation€for€children.€"Much€of€the€conflict€about€the€lawyer's€role€is€due€to€the€different€goalsÐ ° Ðmeant€to€be€achieved€by€having€a€representative.€€Representation€of€the€child€in€protectionÐ  ð Ðproceedings€has€a€dual€purpose:€€to€minimize€the€harm€to€the€child,€and€to€provide€the€child€with€anÐ à Ðadvocate.€€At€times€these€purposes€are€congruent;€at€times,€however,€they€diverge,€resulting€inÐ €Ð Ðconfusion€about€the€lawyer's€role."€(Representation€of€the€Child...p.€291)Ô_Ô× ƒc ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€The€Juvenile€JusticeÐ pÀ ÐStandards€€Project€of€the€Institute€of€Judicial€Administration€and€the€American€Bar€Association€haveÐ ` ° Ðissued€standards€that€recommend€appointment€of€independent€counsel€for€any€child€who€is€theÐ P   Ðsubject€of€proceedings€affecting€his/her€status€or€custody.Ð @  ÐÌAdvocating€the€child's€wishes€versus€their€best€interest€has€long€been€the€subject€of€debate€inÐ  p  ÐMaryland€as€well€as€around€the€country.€€It€has€long€been€the€established€practice€of€the€Legal€AidÐ `  ÐBureau€(which€prior€to€1994€was€responsible€for€representation€of€almost€all€CINA€children),€toÐ P  Ðrepresent€the€child€client€under€guidelines€that€closely€resemble€the€òòÔ_ÔIJAÔ_Ô„ABA€Standards,óó€StandardsÐ ð@  ÐRelating€to€Private€Parties.Ô_Ô× ƒn ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€€The€standard€in€part€states€"Where€counsel€is€appointed€to€represent€aÐ à0  Ðjuvenile€in€a€child€protective€proceeding€and€the€juvenile€is€capable€of€considered€judgment€on€hisÐ Ð  Ðor€her€own€behalf,€the€determination€of€the€client's€interests€in€the€proceeding€should€ultimatelyÐ À Ðremain€the€client's€responsibility€after€full€consultation€with€counsel."€€In€1994€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€implementedÐ ° Ða€competitive€procurement€process€and€as€a€result€cases€were€transferred€to€seven€contractors/firmsÐ  ð Ðwho€contracted€with€the€Department€for€a€three€year€period€to€provide€legal€services€to€children€atÐ à Ða€specific€cost€per€case.€€The€Request€for€Proposals€for€FY'98€through€FY'2000€has€just€been€issuedÐ €Ð Ðand€the€approved€vendors€may€again€change.€€As€more€and€more€private€vendors€and€individualÐ pÀ Ðattorneys€are€becoming€involved€in€the€representation€of€children,€there€are€no€standards€orÐ `° Ðguidelines€in€existence€for€use€in€court€proceedings€in€Maryland.€€Ð P  ÐÌThe€responses€to€a€questionnaire€sent€to€over€100€attorneys€involved€in€CINA€proceedings€confirmedÐ 0€ Ðthat€attorneys€do€not€have€one€clear€standard€of€representation.€€€€Court€observations€also€revealedÐ  p Ða€high€degree€of€diversity€in€the€manner€in€which€attorneys€are€representing€their€child€clients.€€AtÐ ` Ðone€end€of€the€spectrum,€a€particular€attorney€in€one€jurisdiction€deferred€to€the€Court€to€make€aÐ P Ðdecision€in€the€"best€interest€of€the€child"€while€taking€no€position€in€the€case.€€Concerns€wereÐ ð@ Ðexpressed€by€some€members€of€the€Judiciary€as€to€the€value€of€having€an€attorney€for€the€child€inÐ à0 Ðsuch€circumstances.€€In€contrast,€an€attorney€in€a€different€county€was€criticized€by€the€presidingÐ Ð  Ðmaster€for€advocating€òòsolelyóó€what€the€child€wanted€and€it€was€suggested€that€she€could€thereforeÐ À! Ð"phone€in"€her€position€because€it€was€always€going€to€be€the€same.€Uniform€standards€would€helpÐ °"  Ðto€resolve€such€conflicts.Ð  #ð! ÐÌò òCourt€Appointed€Special€Advocates:ó óÐ €%Ð # ÐIn€addition€to,€but€not€instead€of,€an€attorney,€the€court€may€appoint€an€individual€provided€by€theÐ p&À!$ ÐCourt€Appointed€Special€Advocate€Program€(CASA).€€The€purpose€of€the€CASA€program€is€toÐ `'°"% Ðprovide€volunteers€whose€primary€purpose€is€to€insure€that€children€who€are€subjects€of€CINAÐ P( #& Ðproceedings€are€provided€with€appropriate€service€and€case€planning€and€give€the€courts€informationÐ @)$' Ðto€aid€in€making€decisions€in€their€best€interest.€€The€program€is€administered€by€the€AdministrativeÐ 0*€%( ÐOffice€of€the€Courts,€which€may€adopt€rules€governing€the€implementation€and€operation€of€theÐ  +p&) Ðprogram€[Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„834.1].€€CASA€programs€are€currently€operating€in€the€following€jurisdictions:€AnneÐ ,`'* ÐÔ_ÔArundelÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔHarfordÔ_Ô,€Howard,€Montgomery,€St.€Mary's,€Talbot,€and€Washington€Counties€andÐ ° ÐBaltimore€City.Ð  ð ÐÌIt€is€unclear€whether€the€legislature€envisioned€that€the€child€would€be€represented€by€an€attorneyÐ €Ð Ðunder€Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„821,€as€well€as€a€guardian€òòad€litemóó€attorney€under€Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„834,€and€a€CASA€under€Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„Ð pÀ Ð834.1.€€Obviously,€the€resources€required€to€provide€this€type€of€representation€would€be€prohibitiveÐ ` ° Ðand€our€assessment€did€not€reveal€any€cases€where€this€was€occurring.€€We€observed€that€noÐ P   Ðconsistent€type€of€representation€is€being€provided.Ð @  ÐÌò òòòRecommendation€€3.3€„€Establishment€of€Uniform€Standards€of€Representation€for€Children€óóó óÐ  p  ÐÌò òA€task€force€of€the€child€advocacy€community€in€cooperation€with€the€judiciary€and€theÐ P  Ðlegislature€should€establish€uniform€standards€of€representation€for€òòchildrenóó.€€Specifically,€theÐ ð@  Ðstandards€should€articulate€whether€the€attorney€should€represent€the€wishes€of€the€child€orÐ à0  Ðwhat€the€attorney€considers€to€be€in€the€child's€best€interest.€€The€task€force€should€beÐ Ð  Ðappointed€in€the€Fall€of€1997€and€findings€should€be€presented€to€the€Rules€Committee€andÐ À Ðappropriate€legislation€should€be€drafted€for€introduction€prior€to€the€1999€legislative€session.Ð ° ÐÓ  ÓAPPOINTMENT€PROCESSÐ  ð ÐÓ  ÓòòÌÌòòDSS€Ð pÀ Ðóóó óóóThe€department€of€social€services€in€each€county€is€represented€by€an€attorney€at€all€CINA€and€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_ÔÐ `° Ðproceedings.€€The€attorneys€range€from€a€full„time€employee€of€the€department,€handling€multipleÐ P  Ðcases€daily,€to€the€Countyððs€or€Stateððs€Attorney,€to€a€law€firm€or€independent€practitioner€underÐ @ Ðcontract€with€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€to€provide€representation€to€the€Department€with€only€a€few€cases€per€year.ò òÐ 0€ ÐÌòòAgency€RepresentationóóÐ ` Ðó óEvery€judge€and€master€reported€that€the€agency€is€represented€by€an€attorney€at€each€and€everyÐ P Ðhearing,€except€for€three€judges€who€reported€that€the€agency€did€not€have€100%€representation€atÐ ð@ Ðshelter€care.€€Approximately€one„third€of€the€judges€reported€that€cases€are€regularly€transferredÐ à0 Ðbetween€agency€attorneys.€òòò òÐ Ð  Ðó óÌò òòòChildrenóóÐ °"  Ðó óóóIn€an€action€in€which€the€local€department€of€social€services€is€responsible€for€payment€for€theÐ  #ð! Ðservices€of€a€court„appointed€attorney€for€the€child€unless€the€court€finds€that€it€would€not€be€in€theÐ $à" Ðbest€interests€of€the€child,€the€court€shall€appoint€an€attorney€who€has€contracted€with€the€DepartmentÐ €%Ð # Ðof€Human€Resources€to€provide€those€services,€in€accordance€with€the€terms€of€the€contract€andÐ p&À!$ Ðstrike€the€appearance€of€a€previously€appointed€attorney€[Ô_ÔCJÔ_Ô€3„834(2)€&€FL€5„323(a)(2)].Ð `'°"% ÐÌPrior€to€FY'95,€the€State€entered€into€sole€source€contracts€with€the€Legal€Aid€Bureau,€Inc.€(LAB)Ð @)$' Ðto€represent€the€general€child€population€and€the€Maryland€Disability€Law€Center,€Inc.€to€representÐ 0*€%( Ðseverely€disabled€children.€€Additional€attorneys€were€available€through€the€Court€AppointedÐ  +p&) ÐAttorney€Program€(Ô_ÔCAAPÔ_Ô),€a€panel€of€about€400€attorneys€administered€through€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€butÐ ,`'* Ðindividually€appointed€by€the€court.€€During€FY'95,€cases€were€transferred€to€seven€contractors/firmsÐ ° Ð(including€LAB)€through€a€competitive€procurement€process.€€Note:€Montgomery€County€does€notÐ  ð Ðparticipate€in€the€procurement€process.€€Children€in€Montgomery€County€are€represented€by€Ô_ÔOPDÔ_ÔÐ à Ðor€by€a€Ô_ÔCAAPÔ_Ô.€€If€no€contractor€is€available€the€court€appoints€a€Ô_ÔCAAPÔ_Ô€on€a€case€by€case€basis.€Ð €Ð ÐÌAlthough€a€court€seemingly€chooses€an€attorney€the€court€in€actuality€sanctions€the€attorneyÐ ` ° Ðcontracted€by€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô,€absent€a€finding€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence€that€it€is€in€the€best€interestÐ P   Ðof€the€child€that€this€appointment€not€be€made.€€During€the€procurement€process,€vendors€wereÐ @  Ðrequired€to€submit€technical€proposals,€including€the€qualifications€of€their€staff,€which€wereÐ 0 € Ðexamined€by€the€evaluation€panel.€€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€requires€resumes€to€be€submitted€when€new€staff€is€hiredÐ  p  Ðby€an€approved€vendor€.€€At€this€time€it€appears€the€quality€of€legal€representation€for€children€inÐ `  ÐCINA€and€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€cases€rests€in€the€hands€of€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô,€which€is€the€parent€agency€of€the€petitioner€in€theseÐ P  Ðcases.€€There€is€a€State€policy€included€in€€the€Ô_ÔRFPÔ_Ô€requiring€that€the€contractor€must€agree€not€toÐ ð@  Ðfile€a€civil€suit€against€the€agency€without€prior€notice€and€consultation€with€the€agency.€€Ð à0  ÐThe€American€Bar€Association€Standards€of€Practice€for€Lawyers€who€Represent€Children€in€AbuseÐ Ð  Ðand€Neglect€Cases€(approved€by€the€Council€of€the€Family€Law€Section€in€August€1995€and€adoptedÐ À Ðin€final€form€in€February€1996)Ô_Ô× ƒC ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€seeks€to€enhance€the€judicial€role€in€ensuring€competentÐ ° Ðrepresentation€of€children.€€These€standards€suggest€that€courts€play€a€stronger€role€in€the€selection,Ð  ð Ðtraining,€oversight€and€prompt€payment€of€court€appointed€lawyers€for€children.€€This€includes:€Ð à Ðensuring€the€independence€of€the€attorney€from€other€òòparticipationóó€in€the€litigation;€establishingÐ €Ð Ðuniform€representation€rules;€enhancing€lawyer€relationships€with€other€court€connected€personnel;Ð pÀ Ðensuring€timely€appointments€and€entry€of€compensation€orders€at€the€time€of€appointment;Ð `° Ðdetermining€lawyer€eligibility€for,€and€method€of,€appointment;€€involving€the€judiciary€in€attorneyÐ P  Ðtraining;€ensuring€adequate€compensation;€and€controlling€attorney€caseloads.Ð @ Ѐòòòòò òÐ 0€ ÐParentsÐ  p Ðóóó óóóThe€Public€Defender€maintains€offices€for€CINA€representation€in€Montgomery€and€Prince€George'sÐ ` ÐCounties,€and€Baltimore€City.€€Parents€seeking€representation€must€meet€eligibility€requirements,Ð P Ðand€attorneys€are€appointed€via€staff€attorneys€or€panel€attorneys€throughout€the€State.€€All€requestsÐ ð@ Ðfor€representation€in€termination€of€parental€rights€proceedings€are€arranged€through€the€CINA€Ô_ÔOPDÔ_ÔÐ à0 Ðoffice€in€Baltimore€City.€€Again€the€court€has€no€role€in€the€selection€of€the€attorneys€appearing€inÐ Ð  Ðthe€cases.Ð À! ÐòòÌóóTimely€appointment€of€counsel€for€indigent€parents€can€avoid€serious€delay.€€€National€StandardsÐ  #ð! Ðcall€for€appointments€to€occur€immediately€after€a€termination€of€parental€rights€petition€is€filed€withÐ $à" Ðconsideration€of€an€attorney€who€represented€the€parent€earlier.€€Attorneys€can€be€instructed€toÐ €%Ð # Ðcontact€their€clients€immediately.€Parents€can€be€summoned€to€court€a€few€days€after€they€receiveÐ p&À!$ Ðnotice€of€the€case€and€counsel€can€be€appointed€and€should€be€present€to€discuss€the€case.€€ParentsÐ `'°"% Ðalso€can€be€given€the€name€of€their€attorney€the€first€time€they€receive€notice€or€the€first€time€theyÐ P( #& Ðcontact€the€court.€€(See€Guidelines....pp.€93)× ƒ| ×Ý ƒ5$ÓÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð @)$' ÐÌò òòòòòPromptness€of€€Appointmentóóóóó ó:Ð  +p&) ÐCounsel€may€not€be€appointed€for€parents€until€after€the€proceeding€that€results€in€losing€their€childÐ ,`'* Ðor€at€a€hearing€after€disposition€in€which€they€seek€to€regain€custody€of€their€child.€€In€jurisdictionsÐ ° Ðthat€do€not€have€Public€Defender€staff€at€the€courthouse€on€a€daily€basis,€parents€must€requestÐ  ð Ðappointment€through€the€Ô_ÔOPDÔ_Ô€office€in€Baltimore,€wait€to€receive€notice€of€that€appointment,€andÐ à Ðwait€to€be€contacted€by€the€attorney.€€The€adjudicatory€hearing€may€be€scheduled€prior€to€an€actualÐ €Ð Ðmeeting€between€the€attorney€and€the€parent.€€Ð pÀ Ðò òÌPercentage€of€Parents€Represented€at€Each€Hearing:€ó ó€€The€most€noticeable€finding€was€the€lackÐ P   Ðof€consistency€between€judges€and€jurisdictions€regarding€the€frequency€with€which€parents€areÐ @  Ðrepresented.€€Answers€ranged€from€0%€to€100%€of€parents€being€represented,€with€representationÐ 0 € Ðvaried€by€hearing€type.€€Parents€were€less€likely€to€be€represented€at€shelter€care€hearings€and€thenÐ  p  Ðagain€at€review€hearings€than€at€adjudication€and€disposition€hearings.€€Non„custodial€parents€wereÐ `  Ðrarely€represented€at€any€type€of€hearing.€€Mixed€responses€were€received€to€questions€regardingÐ P  Ðcontinuity€of€representation€as€well.€€Very€few€judicial€officers€reported€attorneys€representingÐ ð@  Ðparents€from€shelter€care€through€disposition€€and€even€fewer€reported€continuity€through€the€reviewÐ à0  Ðprocess.€€A€small€number€of€judicial€officers€also€reported€that€one€attorney€represents€both€parentsÐ Ð  Ðin€all€cases.€€That€procedure€has€been€shown€to€be€a€cause€for€postponements€and€continuancesÐ À Ðthroughout€this€study.€Ð ° ÐÌò òRepresentation€of€Children€at€Each€Hearing:€ó ó€Almost€every€judge€and€master€reported€thatÐ à Ðchildren€are€always€represented€by€an€attorney.€€However,€when€asked€at€what€stages€they€areÐ €Ð Ðrepresented,€a€few€judicial€officers€again€reported€that€some€children€were€unrepresented€at€shelterÐ pÀ Ðcare€and€review€hearings.€€Most€judicial€officers€were€unaware€of€any€training€or€experienceÐ `° Ðrequirements€for€appointment€to€represent€children€although€all€appointment€orders€must€be€signedÐ P  Ðby€the€court.€€Although€appointments€to€specific€vendors€were€often€continuous€through€theÐ @ Ðproceedings,€the€court€reported€there€were€a€number€of€times€when€the€specific€attorney€variedÐ 0€ Ðbetween€hearings.€€The€court€also€reported€that€attorneys€for€children€frequently€addressed€medical,Ð  p Ðschool€and€permanency€planning€issues€on€behalf€of€their€clients.Ð ` Ðò òÌó óSeventy„five€percent€of€judges€felt€that€social€workers€written€documentation€was€well€prepared€asÐ ð@ Ðdid€half€of€the€masters.€€No€judicial€officers€rated€the€workers€as€unprepared.€€There€was€moreÐ à0 Ðvariation€in€responses€to€questions€concerning€the€worker's€preparedness€for€oral€testimony,€withÐ Ð  Ðsome€judicial€officers€finding€as€many€as€40%€of€the€workers€unprepared.Ð À! ÐÌò òòòRecommendation€€3.4€„€€Prompt€Appointment€of€Counselóóó óÐ  #ð! ÐÌò òThe€court€should€ensure€the€prompt€appointment€of,€or€referral€to,€counsel€for€all€partiesÐ €%Ð # Ðentitled€to€representation.€€The€right€to€counsel€and€the€procedure€for€appointment€of€counselÐ p&À!$ Ðat€State€expense€should€be€articulatedó ó€ò òclearly€in€the€shelter€care€authorization€form€given€toÐ `'°"% Ðparents€when€the€child€is€removed€from€the€home.€€Ð P( #& Ðó óÌÐ  0*€%( Ðà@  ìàò òCONTINUITY€OF€REPRESENTATIONó óˆÐ ° ÐÌÌA€serious€concern€was€expressed€over€the€lack€of€continuity€in€representation€for€parties,€especiallyÐ €Ð Ðparents.€€In€some€counties,€€attorneys€are€permitted€to€withdraw€their€appearance€after€disposition.€Ð pÀ ÐThe€Ô_ÔOPDÔ_Ô€is€€precluded€by€statute€from€appearing€at€certain€review€hearings€and,€as€was€seen€duringÐ ` ° Ðone€site€visit,€the€Ô_ÔOPDÔ_Ô€as€a€matter€of€course€is€not€involved€in€review€proceedings.€€Appointments,Ð P   Ðonce€made,€need€to€be€continuous€throughout€at€least€the€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€process.€€Although€the€MarylandÐ @  ÐRules€call€for€service€of€the€petition€on€the€attorney€for€the€parent,€in€almost€all€cases€there€is€noÐ 0 € Ðattorney€on€whom€the€petition€could€be€served.€€Parents€and€sometimes€children€face€Ð  p  Ðdecisions€regarding€giving€up€all€rights€to€the€continuing€relationship€of€their€family€without€theÐ `  Ðbenefit€of€anyone€to€help€them€understand€and€come€to€an€informed€decision.€€In€some€of€the€largerÐ P  Ðjurisdictions,€attorneys€for€children€and€DSS€have€set€up€specialized€units€which€deal€only€withÐ ð@  Ðparticular€segments€of€the€case,€thereby€switching€cases€between€as€many€as€four€attorneys€for€fourÐ à0  Ðdifferent€types€of€hearings€in€as€little€as€a€year.€€Although€attrition€may€be€responsible€for€many€ofÐ Ð  Ðthe€changes€in€counsel,€agencies€involved€in€these€cases€should€make€efforts€to€avoid€the€transferÐ À Ðof€cases€between€attorneys€during€the€various€stages€of€the€proceeding.€ò òÐ ° ÐÌÌÌòòRecommendation€3.5€„€Continuous€Appointment€of€CounselÐ pÀ ÐÌóóOnce€counsel€is€appointed€to€represent€a€party€in€a€CINA€case,€the€court€shall€scrutinizeÐ P  Ðcarefully€any€request€to€strike€anÐ @ Ðattorney's€appearance€in€the€case€and€shall€make€efforts€to€ensure€continuous€representation.€Ð 0€ ÐIn€particular,€special€attention€shall€be€paid€to€appointment€of€counsel€for€all€parties€whoseÐ  p Ðlocation€is€known€upon€initiation€of€a€new€Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€case.Ð ` Ðó óÌà@wwìàò òSELECTION€OF€ATTORNEYSˆÐ ð@ Ðó óÌÌò òòòRecommendation€3.6€„€Evaluation€of€Quality€of€Purchased€Legal€Contracts€to€RepresentÐ À! ÐChildren€in€CINA/Ô_ÔTPRÔ_Ô€Cases.Ð °"  Ðóóó óÌò òAn€evaluation€of€the€quality€of€purchased€legal€assistance€should€be€conducted€by€anÐ $à" Ðindependent€agency.€€The€evaluation€should€make€recommendations€concerning€the€use€ofÐ €%Ð # Ðcompetitive€bidding,€a€staff€attorney€model€or€sole€source€contracts.€Consideration€should€beÐ p&À!$ Ðgiven€to€setting€a€floor€for€the€amount€that€could€be€bid€€per€case.€€The€evaluation€shouldÐ `'°"% Ðinclude€whether€Ô_ÔDHRÔ_Ô€is€the€appropriate€agency€to€administer€the€contracts€for€representationÐ P( #& Ðof€ch