Focusing on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child-serving organizations work together to support young children in, or at-risk of entering, the child welfare system.
In Washington State, children under the age of three made up 43% of dependency cases filed in 2023. Of all children who go into care in Washington State, 30% are infants under 1 year, the second-highest rate in the country.
Children 0-3 face unique vulnerabilities in dependency court systems that require specialized, trauma-informed approaches to protect their development and strengthen families.
Children 0-3 are the most likely age group to be involved in dependency and foster care proceedings, representing a disproportionate number of cases.
Traditional dependency court systems often lead to prolonged delays, family separation, multiple placements, and compounded trauma for the most vulnerable children.
BIPOC families experience disproportionate impact in both enrollment and outcomes within dependency court systems, requiring targeted interventions and culturally responsive approaches.
Early childhood experiences shape brain development with long-term consequences for social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Timely, effective interventions help babies and families heal together, creating foundations for lifelong success.
A proven therapeutic court model that brings together courts, child welfare, and community organizations with a focus on trauma reduction, family healing, and coordinated support.
Early Childhood Courts (ECCs) are therapeutic court programs using the Safe Babies Court Team™ approach. They create a specialized environment where judges, child welfare professionals, and community partners work together to address the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and their families in dependency proceedings.
Judges and welfare decision-makers champion the model, providing strong leadership and commitment to therapeutic approaches that prioritize family healing and child wellbeing.
Community coordinators help families navigate complex systems while specialized staff drive the "team" approach at both family and community levels.
Pre/post removal conferences, regular team meetings, and frequent hearings monitor progress while emphasizing parent-child relationships and visitation.
Services tailored to meet emotional, developmental, and social needs of infants and caregivers, with focused outreach and supports for BIPOC families.
Reunification rates are 20% higher for families participating in ECCs when compared to standard dependency.
we’re changing the way young people experience the child welfare and juvenile justice systems—for the better.
Copyright © 2024
Your contribution create lasting positive change in youth justice.
