The next PAAC Parent Attorney Training  will take place on Friday, August 3rd at the DeKalb County Juvenile Court.  Check back on this website for details and the link to register soon.

Troup County Juvenile Court is looking to contract with an attorney to fill the conflict attorney position for indigent parents in deprivation cases.  The contract period is July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013 and  is renewed annually. The contract pays $18,000.00 per year in equal monthly installments.  Troup County holds 1-2 full court days a month, (Usually the 1^st Tuesday of each month and the 3^rd Tuesday if a second full day is necessary). Emergency cases are scheduled on Monday and Thursday afternoons at 1:00p.m.  The conflict attorney must be prepared to be present for those hearings if needed.  The court staff will notify by email if their presence is not needed.  Anyone interested in being considered for the contract may email a resume to Michelle Bowman, Court Administrator, Troup County Juvenile Court.  Mbowman@troupco.org

The Parent Attorney Advocacy Committee (PAAC) was formed in 2008 to improve the quality of representation for parents, to promote the preservation of families, and to assure justice for children.  PAAC activities are funded and supported through a grant from the Supreme Court Justice for Children Committee.  To achieve its goals, PAAC has organized parent attorneys as a group to provide its members with information, training and practice support.

 PAAC’s Mission:  “To unify and strengthen the voice of parent attorneys concerned about families involved with the child welfare system, to support a broad agenda for advocacy, to improve the quality of representation for parents, to provide a forum for information sharing and discussion and to assure justice for children and families.”

 The Parent Attorney Advocacy Committee is working to:

•  ensure that every parent has competent representation in Georgia’s Juvenile Courts;
•  develop and offer comprehensive training programs for parent attorneys and public defenders who represent parents;
• ensure that parent attorneys have adequate resources to provide quality representation;
•  improve Georgia’s child welfare system through education, legislative efforts and policy advocacy.

PAAC membership benefits include:

• Access to the PAAC listserv where members exchange information;
• Access to the PAAC members’ only section of www.parentattorney.org, which features sample motions, orders and briefs;
• Newtworking and referral opportunities with parent attorneys statewide;
• Access to training opportunities for new and experienced parent attorneys;
•  Scholarship opportunities for national and state conferences;
• Meetings through which members can formulate and express their positions on legislation, policies and other matters affecting the administration of child welfare law in Georgia;
• Mentoring;

 If you have any questions or concerns regarding parent representation, if you would like to attend a Committee meeting or if PAAC can provide you with any assistance, including training, please contact the Committee through our Coordinator Trish McCann at 404-232-8900 or tmccann@gpdsc.org. 

Visit the other resources tab for materials from the National Parent Attorney Conference and access to the PAAC members only section.

Materials from Christopher McFadden, who spoke at the recent Juvenile Law Committee Meeting:

Record Appendices in the Appellate Courts - Guide to the New Three-Step Process (pdf)

Case Law Update, March 2012 by Ari Mathe’

Georgia Deprivation Appellate Summaries

• MAY 2010
• JUNE 2010

New Attorney Mentoring Plan

Presenters will receive complimentary admission to the conference and, for those who live more than 50 miles from the conference site (6345 Powers Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta GA 30339), a complimentary hotel room.

The deadline for submissions is July 26.

Abstract Submission Form