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each type of proceeding, 3) try each type of case with the mentor second-chairing, <br />and 4) try each type of proceeding on his or her own, with the mentor available to <br />assist, before the attorney can begin handling cases alone. <br />Additionally, each attorney should be required to attend [fill in number of hours, <br />at least 12] hours of training before beginning, and [at leastl0 hours] of training <br />every year after. Training should include general legal topics such as evidence <br />and trial skills, and child welfare-specific topics, such as: <br />• Relevant State, Federal and Case Law, Procedures and Rules <br />• Agency Policies and Procedures <br />• Available Community Resources <br />• Legal Permanency Options <br />• Termination of Parental Rights Law <br />• Adoption Subsidies <br />• Child Development <br />• Child-Centered Communication <br />• Legal Ethics as it Relates to Agency Representation <br />• Negotiation Strategies and Techniques <br />• How Domestic Violence Impacts Children in the Child Welfare System <br />• Appellate Advocacy <br />• Immigration Law as it Relates to Child Welfare Cases <br />• Education Law as it Relates to Child Welfare Cases <br />• State and Federal Benefit Programs Affecting Children in Foster Care <br />(e.g., SSI, SSA, Medicaid) <br />• Understanding Mental Illness <br />• Issues Arising from Substance Abuse <br />• Understanding the Impact ofOut-of--Home Placement on Children <br />• Basic Principles of Attachment Theory <br />• Options for Presenting Children's Testimony <br />• Sexual Abuse <br />• Dynamics of Physical Abuse and Neglect and How To Prove It <br />- Shaken Baby Syndrome <br />- Broken Bones <br />- Burns <br />- Failure To Thrive <br />Commentary: Agency attorneys should be encouraged to learn as much as <br />possible and participate in conferences and trainings to expand their <br />understanding of developments in the child welfare field. While agency attorneys <br />are often overworked and do not have extra time to attend conferences, the <br />knowledge they gain will be invaluable. The philosophy of the office should <br />stress the need for ongoing learning and professional growth. The agency attorney <br />manager should require the attorneys to attend an achievable number of hours of <br />training that will match the training needs of the attorneys. The agency, court and <br />21 <br />~:,, <br />