Strategies to Prevent Parent-Child Separation and New Approaches in Child Welfare

This lecture is an engaging session on the transformative efforts of the Family Intervention Response to Stop Trauma (FIRST) Clinic, a notable medical-legal partnership in Washington State. This clinic is at the forefront of providing essential legal representation to new and expecting parents facing Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement, with a steadfast goal to prevent the separation of families.

In this presentation, participants will gain comprehensive insights into the key outcomes and benefits that the FIRST Clinic has achieved. From preventing the unnecessary removal of children from their homes to creating unlikely partnerships with Department of Children, Youth, and Families, our discussion will cover the tangible impacts of these efforts on keeping families together and fostering stable, supportive environments for children’s growth.

Furthermore, we will delve into the personal experiences of parents who have engaged with the FIRST Clinic. Through the lens of a Parent Ally—a crucial figure within our team who combines legal advocacy with lived experience—attendees will hear firsthand accounts of the clinic’s role in transforming lives. This narrative will underscore the importance of empathy, empowerment, and community in navigating the challenges posed by CPS involvement.

Participants will leave with a deep understanding of:

• The foundational goals and achievements of the FIRST Legal Clinic in safeguarding family unity.
• The multifaceted benefits of legal representation and advocacy provided by the clinic.
• The profound impact of the FIRST Clinic’s work as experienced by parents, illustrated through real stories of resilience and support.

This session is designed not just to inform but to inspire action and collaboration among professionals and community members alike, highlighting how legal advocacy, coupled with compassionate support, can create lasting positive change for families across Washington State.

Bios:
Adam Ballout: Adam has been a public defender for 13 years working to help reunify families. Frustration and disappointment with how the legal system treated families and separated infants and new mothers led him to help create the FIRST Clinic and its medical-legal partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Adam is a former board chair of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) and the Domestic Violence services of Snohomish County (DVS).

Taila AyAy: Taila AyAy is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. She has dedicated her career since 2009 to championing the rights of families. Her practice focuses mainly on representation of parents and children in dependency litigation, administrative law, and family law. She also has experience in tribal representation and has worked as guardian ad litem. She is passionate about social justice and increasing equitable access to resources for her clients, their families, and the community. Taila has worked remote from her home in California ever since moving from Washington a few years ago. This arrangement works well for her number one boy, a sweet golden retriever, named Dax.

Neil Weiss: Neil is a passionate attorney who has contributed hundreds of pro bono hours for FIRST client representation and program development. While he has a background in accounting, his legal practice includes parent and child representation in juvenile dependency, criminal defense, family law, protection orders, civil litigation, and administrative law. He has experience as a commissioner and judge pro tem in King County Superior Court, Snohomish County District Courts, and Monroe Municipal Court. He has presented at multiple statewide training programs regarding representation in child welfare cases. He enjoys cooking and plays ice hockey in local leagues.

Jennifer Justice: Jennifer Justice is a dedicated parent with previous involvement in the child welfare system. She initially entered the system in 2015 due to struggles with substance use disorder and unaddressed mental health issues. Her journey through the dependency system ultimately concluded with the termination of her parental rights. Nevertheless, Jennifer has maintained a strong and nurturing connection with her children, as they found placement with caring relatives. In 2020, Jennifer faced a family voluntary case, but thanks in part to the exceptional support of the F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic Team, she promptly addressed her parenting style. Remarkably, her family voluntary case was resolved and dismissed within a mere six months. Jennifer’s profound personal experiences within the child welfare system have ignited a passionate commitment to preventing new mothers from encountering similar challenges. In 2021, she joined the WSPAC (Washington State Parent Advisory Committee) and took her dedication a step further by obtaining her Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Legal Administrative Assisting in 2022. August 2022 marked a significant milestone in Jennifer’s journey as she embarked on her career as a Parent Ally with the F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic, continuing her impactful work within the realm of child welfare.

Gina Wassemiller: Gina Wassemiller is the founding Parent Ally for the FIRST Legal Clinic. She contracts with the Washington State Office of Public Defense, Parents Representation Program, as a Social Service Worker and facilitates the Life During & After CPS parent support group. Gina has many years of experience working directly with families involved in the child welfare system to overcome obstacles and reach a positive outcome. Gina has a history of contributing to meaningful work that positively impacts families on a larger scale as a former member of Snohomish County’s Table of Ten and Snohomish Parent Ally Committee, as well as launching and leading her local Parents for Parents program. She is an active alumnus of the Washington State Parent Ally Committee. Gina brings true passion and hope to the work she does with families because she has firsthand experience. She is a survivor of domestic violence and a recovering addict. Her first child welfare case ended in relinquishment of her parental rights, followed by a subsequent voluntary case that ended in family preservation. Gina embraces her belief that a positive outcome is one a parent can live with forever. She meets parents where they are and instills hope into each parent she works with. Gina is living proof that People Change and Families Reunite.