Law Commons^™

2012 Maine Child Support Guidelines: Review And Recommendations, Sally Ward Mppm, Janice Daley Msw, Barbara Fraumeni Phd, George Shaler Mph, Eileen Griffin Jd, Melanie Knox Ba, Laurie Hallett, Louis Mandeville Ms

Children, Youth, & Families

This report summarizes the quadrennial review of Maine's child support guidelines conducted by the USM Muskie School , which complies with federal law requiring each state's child support guidelines be reviewed at least once every four years. Principle findings of the extensive review by the Muskie School show that many aspects of Maine's child support system work well. Maine's low deviation rate reflects a reasonably high level of consistency in apply the guidelines, and in large part, protect the needs and interests of the children. The report provides background and overview of child support modes and the Maine guidelines, and …

Connecticut Court Improvement Program Reassessment, Diane Gout, Karen Monahan, Anita St. Onge, Jean Bessette, Sameer Mahimkar

Children, Youth, & Families

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau issued a program instruction that requires states to conduct a reassessment. The purpose of the reassessment is to update each state’s earlier assessment of court performance in processing child welfare cases and also to determine what progress has been made since the original assessments.

Michigan Cip Reassessment: How Michigan Courts Handle Child Protection Cases - A Report Summary, Muskie School Of Public Service

Children, Youth, & Families

This summary is drawn from the 2005 report, Michigan Court Improvement Program Reassessment, and represents the results of that study.

Michigan Court Improvement Program Reassessment, Muskie School Of Public Service

Children, Youth, & Families

The Michigan Court Improvement Program was required to conduct a reassessment of its laws and performance and to adopt a strategic plan to further improve its handling of child protection cases. The Muskie School of Public Service, Cutler Institute for Child and Family Policy, and the American Bar Association’s Center for Children and the Law contracted with Michigan’s State Court Administrative Office to conduct the Reassessment. This report represents the results of the reassessment study.

A Voice For Low-Income Children: Evaluating Guardians Ad Litem In Divorce And Parental Rights And Responsibilities Cases, Alison A. Beyea, Frank D' Alessandro

Children, Youth, & Families

The Muskie Guardian ad Litem Project evaluated the use of Guardians ad Litem (GALS) in divorce and parental rights and responsibilities cases in Maine.

The research suggests that there are significant benefits of GAL appointment for children in contested court proceedings. GALS effectively represent the best interests of children in family proceedings. They assist the Court in issuing custodial decisions, assist in settlement of highly contested cases and otherwise expedite the legal process. In addition to their investigative function, GALS report working with parents and children in an effort to reduce conflict between family members and to connect families with …