NAPD 2021 Women's Virtual Conference

Interdisciplinary approach to the representation of parents (who have intellectual and/or mental health diagnoses) in reuniting with their children. The foster care system disproportionally impacts women of color and especially those who are twice blessed with intellectual and/or mental health diagnoses. This session will focus on the work begun by the Baltimore County Parental Defense Office to create an attorney and social worker team to focus on the unique challenges of this population of parents, developing realistic reunification plans and their ability to successful meet the needs of their children, children who often times have their own intellectual and/or mental health diagnoses.

The session will be presented by the Supervising Attorney and Clinical Social Worker assigned to the Baltimore County Parental Defense Office. There will be information presented on how prevalent the challenges are faced by this population, efforts around the country to address the needs, with emphasis on the strategies and lessons learned through case studies in Baltimore County.