2008

2008 DRAFT TRIAL SKILLS TRAINING

“Enhancing Outcomes in Dependency Cases Through Effective Courtroom Advocacy and Collaborative Skill Building”

The California Administrative Office of the Courts, Center for Families, Children & the Courts (CFCC) is coordinating and hosting eight, one-day training programs for attorneys, social workers and other professionals working within California’s child welfare system. The programs will be held in counties who are participating in CFCC’s Dependency Representation Administration Funding and Training (DRAFT) program beginning February 11 and concluding on June 2.

Each program has three primary focuses including a case theory and assessment exercise, a witness preparation exercise that will allow participants to examine ethical issues and role understanding, and an afternoon exercise focusing on direct and cross-examination. Attorney faculty will train the lawyers in direct and cross-examination skills, while in a parallel fashion social work faculty will train the social worker participants in witness communication skills.

Upcoming Training Dates:

March 14: Imperial County
April 11: San Diego County
April 18: Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo Counties (to be held in Santa Maria)
May 27: Santa Cruz and Marin Counties (to be held in San Francisco)
June 2: Mendocino County

Send questions or comments to: CFCC@jud.ca.gov