Supported Decision-Making for Child Welfare Involved Youth: A New Tool for Regis Little Staffings

Aired live on 9/30/24 Description: Many young people struggle with decision-making as they become adults. Youth in the child welfare system often lack the natural support of family and friends to help them navigate adulthood. They are further disadvantaged if they lived in placements that did not provide them with the opportunity to take on responsibilities and make decisions for themselves. When those young people have cognitive impairments, the child welfare system often looks to guardianship or guardian advocacy as a means to protect them in adulthood. The Regis Little Act requires the child welfare system to consider whether older youth with disabilities might need guardianship or guardian advocacy and permits initiation of those proceedings prior to age 18. Many young people, however, who need help with decision making do not need the loss of rights that come with guardianship or guardian advocacy. In 2024 the Legislature created a new tool that will help adults retain their rights and get help with decision-making. This training will examine the new law on Supported Decision Making and show it can be a useful tool to help young people with child welfare involvement. This training was approved by the Florida Bar for 1.5 General & 1.5 Juvenile Law Certification Credits! The CLE Code is 2408028N (Approval Period: 09/03/2024 - 03/31/2026). Special thanks to our speakers: Robin L. Rosenberg (Deputy Director, Florida’s Children First) C. Christine Smith, Esq. (Staff Attorney,Florida’s Children First) Caitlyn Clibbon (Director of Community and Healthcare Services, Disability Rights Florida) Materials: https://tinyurl.com/SDMmaterials If you need a Certificate of Completion & Attendance or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jorge.acosta@floridalegal.org