Judicial engagement efforts in child welfare courts: A systematic review

This systematic review identified and analyzed literature focused on understanding child welfare judges' efforts to encourage parental engagement in taking steps that would strengthen their family and promote reunification. PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify, screen, and review the literature on judicial practices that promote parental engagement and reduce resistance in child welfare courts. A total of 347 studies were initially screened, with 17 meeting inclusion criteria. Widely agreed upon theoretical propositions on what judges can do to promote parental engagement are missing from the literature, as is research on what works. Furthermore, specific practice guidelines or actionable steps are scant. These gaps could set up a scenario where judicial quality varies because no consensus exists on best practices for engaging families. After reviewing the state of the literature, we offer some suggestions for moving forward, namely, working to establish a model of best practices that borrows from allied professions.