TOOLKIT

Please note that this material must be thoroughly reviewed for accuracy prior to use and is a not a substitute for independent legal research. These materials are maintained as information is provided to OCLA CRP, but not regularly or systematically reviewed for currentness. Please review the website terms of use.

Statutes, Cases, and Legislation

Current Standards (2022): Children’s Representation Practice, Caseload, and Training Standards (2022), (adopted by CFCC), required by sec. 9, ch. 210, laws of 2021.
- Appendix A: Training Topics for Youth Representation in Washington State
- Prior Standards (2010): Children’s Representation and Training Standards (2010) (adopted by CFCC), required by sec. 5, ch. 180, laws of 2010.

Forms

Practice Guides

Bench Card: N/A
Bench Book: N/A

Secondary Materials

2016 Until the Client Speaks: Reviving the Legal Interest Model for Preverbal Children.
2022 Know Your Rights (handout for youth)

Training Videos

2023 Child Representation Standards and Legal Interest Advocacy (originally provided on February 24, 2023, 12:00-3:00 PM)

MCLE Activity ID: 2004886 | Valid through 02/23/2028 unless removed earlier. Please note that OCLA does not report attendance for viewing recorded or on-demand audio or video CLEs.

To receive credit, please visit WSBA Login Dispatch.

Summary. The purpose of this course is to teach children’s representatives about the role, expectations, standards, and requirements expected of each OCLA contractor as well as to establish the mechanics of legal interest advocacy. Consistent with RCW 13.34.212, children’s representatives are to comply with the practice, caseload, and training standards and this course will teach practitioners the applicable standards and address ethics of child representation under the standards.

Agenda.

Standards of Practice and Child Representation in Washington State
Legal Interest Advocacy

Part 1. Standards of Practice and Child Representation in Washington State.

Presenter. Prior to joining OCLA, Jeffrey spent twelve years advocating for parents and children in the child welfare system, including extensive work with Native American families as part of Spokane County’s Indian Child Welfare Act court team. Jeffrey is a certified Child Welfare Law Specialist by the National Association of Counsel for Children. Beyond this legal work, he has lectured on the Indian Child Welfare Act for the American Bar Association, the Washington State Office of Public Defense, and OCLA. He also served as a court commissioner pro tem in Spokane County, Board Chair of KSPS, the local public television affiliate, and has taught as an adjunct professor at Eastern Washington University.

Presentation Slides & Other Materials.

OCLA Child Representation Standards – Slides.

Part 2. Basics of Legal Interest Advocacy.

Presenter. Bailey Zydek (she/her) is the current manager of OCLA’s Children’s Representation Program, which underwrites and oversees the delivery of standards-based legal representation of children and youth in dependency and termination proceedings across Washington State. Prior to coming to OCLA, Bailey was in private practice in Tacoma, WA where she owned and operated the firm Wildwood Legal. For eight years Bailey had the honor of representing children and parents in dependency and termination proceedings at Pierce County Juvenile Court, the last 3 of which were dedicated exclusively to children’s representation. Bailey has presented on a variety of topics concerning children’s representation over the years and has served as a co-editor of the dependency and CHINS/ARY chapters of the WSBA’s Family Law Deskbook. She is currently the Chair of the WSBA’s Juvenile Law Section and the designated State Coordinator for the National Association of Counsel for Children.

Presentation Slides & Other Materials.

MCLE Evaluation: Please complete the Evaluation Form, here.

Click here to return to the 2023 Training Topic Index at the top of the page.