An evaluation of Montana's child welfare court pre‐hearing conference pilot project. (4th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Summers, Alicia; Kirshenbaum, Jacqueline
• Is Part Of: Family court review. Volume 61:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 116
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2022-12-04
• Subjects: alternative dispute resolution -- child welfare -- foster care -- pre‐hearing conference -- reunification; Domestic relations courts -- United States -- Periodicals; 346.7301505
• DOI: 10.1111/fcre.12685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-2445

Abstract

Abstract: Pre‐hearing conferences are a form of alternative dispute resolution that have been implemented into the child welfare court process. Montana recently piloted a pre‐hearing conference model to occur before the first hearing on the case. The goal of the pilot was to increase discussion and resolution of contested visitation, placement, and service issues and to better engage parents in the process. Data were collected across multiple years to explore the effectiveness of the pilot in improving outcomes for children and families. Analysis of the data revealed a positive relationship between program implementation and timelier permanency. Parents who attend and have higher levels of participation in the pre‐hearing conference are also more likely to reunify. Key points: More than 400, 000 children are currently in foster care in the United States and less than half will reunify with their parents. Pre‐hearing conference models offer opportunities for parents and professionals to meet outside of court to discuss case issues. A pre‐hearing conference, prior to the first hearing on a child welfare case, can help engage parents in the process. Post‐implementation of a pre‐hearing conference, cases achieved timelier permanency. Presence and participation of parents at a pre‐hearing conference was related to increased reunification on a case.