Special Issues

On October 8, 2024, the Hon. Aurora Martinez Jones, Judge of the 126th District Court, moderated a discussion with panelists Dr. Eloise Sepeda, Founder of Harmony One Restorative Justice, Lisa, Survivor Leader, and Maricarmen Garza, Attorney at the Tahirih Justice Center, on best practices for client and courtroom interactions when domestic violence is present in a child welfare case. Keeping safety and the best interest of the child at the forefront, the panel covered topics such as client communication, and courtroom and mediation dynamics in child welfare cases.

Recording: Domestic Violence in Child Welfare Cases: Best Practices for Judges and Attorneys

PowerPoint: Domestic Violence in Child Welfare Cases: Best Practices for Judges and Attorneys

Additional Materials:

• • Children’s Commission Bench Book
  • Trauma Informed Lawyering Updates Notifications Sign-up
  • Nicholson's Four Factors for Judicial Consideration in Cases Involving Domestic Violence and Children
  • National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges Bench Cards:
    • Checklist to Promote Perpetrator Accountability in Dependency Cases Involving Domestic Violence
    • Navigating Custody & Visitation Evaluations in Cases with Domestic Violence: A Judge's Guide
    • Reasonable Efforts Checklist for Dependency Cases Involving Domestic Violence
    • A Judicial Checklist for Children and Youth Exposed to Violence

MCLE/TBLS Information: The recorded webinar was approved for 1.0 hour of MCLE credit. This course has also been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 1.0 hour of certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the specialty fields of Child Welfare and Family Law.

Family Violence Credit Information for Judges: This webinar has been approved for 1.0 hours of Family Violence credit.

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025 the Children's Commission hosted a webcast entitled “89th Regular Legislative Session Update.” Children's Commission Staff Attorney Brenda Kinsler provided an update on House and Senate bills related to child welfare law, the statutes affected, and the effective date.

Recording: Texas 89th Regular Legislative Session

PowerPoint: Texas 89th Regular Legislative Session

MCLE/TBLS: The course has been approved for 1.5 hours of MCLE credit. It has also been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 1.5 hours for certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the specialty field of Child Welfare and Family Law. Individuals watching the replay may email CCTraining@txcourts.gov for MCLE self-reporting information. 

On September 7, 2023, the Hon. Delia Gonzales, Associate Judge of the Dallas County Child Protection and Permanency Court led a discussion with panelists Dr. Anu Partap, Medical Director of Health Equity at Cook Children’s Health Care System; Tiffany Crouch Bartlett, parent and child’s attorney in Central Texas, and Michelle Latray, parent and child’s attorney in Groesbeck, Texas on the importance of having a patient’s complete trauma history to assist health professionals with providing proper medical diagnoses and treatment plans. Duties, responsibilities, and best practice tips for attorneys representing parents and children in child welfare cases when psychotropic medications are or may be prescribed to a child were also covered.

Recording: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medications: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know

Additional Resources:

• Sample Questions to Help Child Welfare and Court Teams Catch Moments to Protect Children and Support Forever Families (excerpt from Catching Moments to Promote Health Equity and Safety from the Bench presented by Dr. Anu Partap)
• Examples of Red Flags Signaling Potential Gaps in Health Care-Child Welfare Systems Collaboration (excerpt from Catching Moments to Promote Health Equity and Safety from the Bench presented by Dr. Anu Partap)

MCLE/TBLS Information: The recorded webcast was approved for 1.5 hours of MCLE and .25 hours of ethics credit. This course has also been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 1.5 hours of certification and recertification continuing legal education requirements for attorneys and paralegals in the specialty field of Child Welfare Law.