In most cases, parents are given between six months and a year to show significant progress toward complying with court orders regarding their behavior. These mandates most often call for parents to undergo drug treatment, get a job, obtain suitable…
Bill to require clergy to report abuse cases
The measure sounds complex, said James Marsh, director of legal and policy analysis for the Center for Social Work Management, a nationwide watchdog and consulting group. He said people who would be required to report abuse cases might be confused…
Background and commentary on Danielle van Dam murder case
Lost in foster care? Data only now reflect needs of the children
The child welfare system is, in the end, an information system, and there are legal consequences if files are lost because a social worker quits or some other foul-up, said James Marsh, a lawyer who has done pro bono adoptions…
D.C. Child Welfare Chief Drops Lawsuit
“It is an extraordinary remedy for a judge to order the head of any agency into court,” said James Marsh, president of The Children’s Law Center. “I think it was based on an act of desperation and the reality of…
Judges Describe Agonizing Decisions
“The judges don’t have crystal balls. It’s just like a computer: garbage in, garbage out,” said James Marsh, president of the Children’s Law Center, who went on to give one reason that cases require close monitoring. “A lot of times,…