When assessing quality legal representation for children, CIPs should gather and analyze data on short- and long-term outcomes. Short- and long-term outcome data must be assessed in light of other data points, indicators, and intervening causes in order to provide a full picture on whether quality representation is being practiced in a jurisdiction. But studying these outcomes can be an important step in determining the quality of representation of youth.

SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES

  • Frequency and quality of client contact
  • Frequency and quality of in-court advocacy
  • Frequency and quality of out-of-court advocacy
  • Meaningful integration of client voice into advocacy

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

  • Fewer placement changes
  • Higher likelihood of kinship placement
  • Expedited time to permanency
  • Static/lower rates of repeat maltreatment/entry
  • Increased youth/family access/use of appropriately tailored services
  • School stability
  • Improved mental and physical well-being
  • Engagement in “normalcy” activities