Understanding and Effectively Using Psychological Evaluations in Child Welfare Cases
The following materials are used as part of a training that provides an introduction to psychological evaluations including their uses, how they are distinguished form other types of evaluations, and a discussion of the common components of a well designed evaluation. Practice skills taught include how to work with an expert witness, how to present an expert evaluator’s information to the court, how to critically evaluate and conduct cross examination of a report, and how to engage parents and providers in a successful evaluation process.
Fundamental Concepts of Psychological Evaluations
This Power Point presentation by Dr. Michael O'Leary, Ph.D. provides a firm understanding of the science and practice behind the use of psychological evaluations in child welfare cases.
Guidelines for Expert Evaluations in Child Welfare Proceedings
This word document is a set of guidelines formed by a multidisciplinary workgroup to improve both drafting and use of psychological evaluations in child welfare cases.
Dr. O'Leary's List of Recommended Reading
A list of recommended reading related to psychological evaluations in cases involving the custody of children, including child welfare cases.
The Law of Psychological Evaluations in Child Welfare - Power Point
This Power Point presentation by CITA Director Tim Jaassko-Fisher, sets out some of the common legal considerations surrounding the use of psychological evaluations in child welfare cases.
The Law of Psychological Evaluations in Child Welfare
CITA Director Tim Jaassko-Fisher sets out some of the common legal considerations surrounding the use of psychological evaluations in child welfare cases in Washington.
Using Psychological Experts in Practice
Power point presentation by Assistant Attorney General Gene Graff outlining how to choose, prepare, and utilize an expert witness when building your case in chief. Including tips on how to effectively present psychological evidence and how to make the most of your time with an expert witness both inside and outside the courtroom.
Cross Examination of Psychologists
The Defender Association's Shawn Crowley provides an excellent overview of cross examining psychologists in child welfare cases. This Word document helps to answer questions such as: How do you critically evaluate psychological evaluations and opposing experts? What are the key elements of a strong, focused cross examination that gets results? What is the most effective way to address psychological evaluations in child welfare cases? And much more.
Engaging Your Client in the Psychological Evaluation Process
This Power Point by Mary Meigs explains how to effectively engage your client in the evaluation process to insure you get an accurate, useful evaluation. It also includes practice pointers on how to use psychological evaluations as a tool to improve case planning.
This is a sample referral letter to a psychologist prepared by Mary Meigs as part of her training on effectively engaging clients in psychological evaluations.