Child Welfare Information Gateway2016-11-152016-11-152016Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2016). Understanding child welfare and the courts. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/cwandcourts/http://hdl.handle.net/11212/3050Families involved with the child welfare system must often engage with the judicial system. This factsheet is designed to demystify the legal process and inform families of their rights and responsibilities. It includes frequently asked questions about the different stages of court proceedings, how parents and family members can prepare for court hearings, and who and what to expect in the courtroom and throughout the process.en-USchild welfarejudicial systemrightscourt preparationcourtsArticle