Mission / Program Description

  ABOUT THE Children's Law Center
The Children's Law Center is a resource center for South Carolina professionals who are involved in child maltreatment or juvenile justice court proceedings. The overall purpose of the Children's Law Center is to help professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills, so that court proceedings will have the best possible outcomes for children. This goal is accomplished through a variety of training events, information and technical assistance, written resource materials, and education through the USC School of law. Most services are available to all parties, prosecutors, guardians ad litem, judges, juvenile justice staff, child protection caseworkers and expert witnesses.

The Children's Law Center, a program of the USC School of Law, is funded by a variety of state and federal grant sources. The office was established in 1995 through the efforts of S.C. Families for Kids, a partnership of the United Way of South Carolina and the S.C. Department of Social Services. The office began with a focus on resources for child protection professionals.   The Children's Law Center in also responsible for coordinating the South Carolina Children's Justice Task Force.
 

  TRAINING
Training programs on legal, social service, medical, and mental health issues related to child maltreatment and juvenile justice are provided, using both state and national experts. Many sessions are offered at no cost or for a nominal fee. Multi-disciplinary training and training on legal issues are particularly emphasized.

Regular statewide training events include the following:

• The Annual Children’s Law Conference, a two-day multi-disciplinary training session, is held each fall.
• Finding Words, a child abuse forensic interviewing course, is held three times a year. Registration is limited to county investigation teams including, at a minimum, a solicitor, a law enforcement officer, and a child protection worker. The Children’s Law Center partners with the Assessment & Resource Center (Children’s Advocacy Center of Richland County) to provide this training.

• termination of parental rights
• testifying in court
• legislative updates
• mandated reporting requirements
• truancy issues
• domestic violence and child maltreatment
• alternatives to children’s testimony
• introduction to legal principles
• juvenile justice system
• preparing children for court
• role of guardian ad litem

  INFORMATION & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
General information is available to all professionals upon request. Any professional may contact the Children’s Law Center with general questions related to the law or legal process in child maltreatment or juvenile justice cases. Call (803) 777-1646 and your question will be routed to a staff person knowledgeable in that area. 

A Literature Library of legal and non-legal materials can be used by practitioners and students. Information on child abuse & neglect, juvenile justice, investigation, evidence, social science, medical and mental health issues is available. An automated database allows search by author, title, or topic.

A hard copy Case File is maintained, containing summaries and complete copies of case decisions relevant to children. Summaries are also available on this website at the case law search where they are searchable by key word.

Case-specific technical assistance, unlike other services, can only be provided to guardians ad litem or attorneys for children in civil proceedings, and to prosecutors or law enforcement officers in criminal child abuse proceedings.

Technical assistance includes legal research, review of case file, and consultation on strategy, potential witnesses, motion preparation, etc.

Note: To request technical assistance, volunteer guardians ad litem should make contact with the Children’s Law Center through their attorney or program staff.

  WRITTEN RESOURCES
South Carolina residents may order publications on line (excluding manuals). Out of state practitioners may call 803.777.1646 for price information.

The Children’s Law Center produces numerous resource materials which are available to South Carolina professionals at no cost for single copies. Larger manuals are provided for the cost of printing.

The following items have been particularly popular:

• Newsletters
  The Children’s Law Report contains summaries of recent case decisions, legislative updates, and concise articles on topics relevant to child maltreatment. Insights is a specialized newsletter with items of interest to law enforcement officers and solicitors who investigate or prosecute child abuse. The Juvenile Justice Report is designed for attorneys involved in juvenile justice proceedings, family court judges, and DJJ staff.
• Prosecution of Child Abuse in South Carolina: A Manual for Solicitors and Investigators
  This concise manual serves as a single source of information for South Carolina law on the legal issues arising in the criminal investigation and prosecution of child abuse. It is designed particularly for solicitors and law enforcement officers.
• Hearing Checklists
  In a bulleted format, these checklists summarize the court’s options and responsibilities at each hearing required by the Child Protection Reform Act.
• Termination of Parental Rights
  This information packet includes an explanation of the statutory grounds for termination of a parent’s rights in South Carolina, as well as summaries of relevant case law.
• Resource Guide
  This directory is a starting point for legal professionals who interface with the social services system occasionally. Services that may be relevant for children or parents in child maltreatment or juvenile justices cases are included. A brief, general description of program type is included as well as contact information for service organizations and group homes.
• My Court Notebooks
  These booklets are designed for children who will testify in court. One is available for family court child protection hearings, and another for criminal court proceedings. Both are specific to South Carolina. A User’s Guide is also available.
• Guide for Lawyers
  These guides provide a summary of the court process and attorneys' responsibilities in either child protection or juvenile justice proceedings.

  EDUCATION
One of the purposes of the Children’s Law Center is to assist in the education of future lawyers and other professionals who, through appointment or employment, will work in child maltreatment cases. Courses are offered through the USC School of Law.

Children and the Courts, which is taught annually, covers issues which arise when children become involved in the courts. Particular attention will be given to children who are in criminal or family court as witnesses (including as victims of abuse and neglect) and to children who are in family court as delinquents. The course will focus on law and court procedures as they relate to children and will address specific issues related to children in court, including overview of legal systems, role of counsel in representing children, evidentiary rules, and systemic issues related to children in the courts. The course is open to graduate students from other colleges within the University, in addition to law students.