Youth Experience Survey

The Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: The described collection of information is voluntary and will be used to help us understand JCAMP implementation. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB number and expiration date for the described collection are OMB #: xxxx-xxxx, Exp: xx/xx/20xx. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to Dr. Alicia Summers; alicia.d.summers@gmail.com and Dr. Sophia Gatwoski; sgatowski@ymail.com.

Youth Experience Survey¹

<<insert organization name>> is interested in learning more about your experience with the child welfare court system. Your opinion can help us learn more about current practice and ways that we can improve. The survey is voluntary. Your responses are completely anonymous and will not impact your case in any way. This survey should take about <<insert time>> minutes to complete. If you have any questions, you can contact <<provide contact information>>. See Volume II: Implementation Guide for guidance on modifying introductory language.

For each sentence below, please mark how much you agree using this scale:

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

DNA = Does not apply

Family engagement [1.12]; Due process [2.11]	1	2	3	4	5	DNA
I was made aware that I could attend my court hearings. [2.11]
I attended most of my court dates. [2.11]
I felt comfortable and safe at the courthouse. [2.11]
I felt prepared for my court hearings. [2.11]
I understood what was happening during my court hearings. [2.11]
I was made aware that I could speak in my court hearings. [2.11]
I felt that the judge heard and understood what I was saying. [1.12]
Transportation to court was available to me when I needed it. [2.11]
There were youth-friendly spaces at the courthouse for me to spend time in outside my hearing. [2.11]
If someone who had abused me was present at court, I was able to be in a separate waiting room from them before court. [2.11]
Safety [4.14]	1	2	3	4	5	DNA
My lawyer regularly asked me WITHOUT other adults present whether I felt safe at my current placement. [4.14]
If I felt unsafe while in foster care, my social worker or lawyer investigated these safety concerns. [4.14]
Permanency [5.22]	1	2	3	4	5	DNA
I was able to have regular visits (at least monthly) with family members, relatives, and siblings I care about. [5.22]
I was able to have regular contact (phone, text, video) with people I care about. [5.22]
My lawyer asked me who the important adults (relatives, neighbors, friends, community or tribal members, etc.) are in my life. [5.22]
My lawyer or social worker asked me with whom I wanted to live. [5.22]
The court took my wishes into account when making placement decisions (where I live or have lived). [5.22]
The court took my wishes into account when making permanency decisions (who my legal parents or guardians are). [5.22]
Right now, I have permanent connections to adults who care about me. [5.22]

Did you have a lawyer for your child welfare case? [2.12]

Yes

No

For each sentence below, please mark how much you agree using this scale:²

1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Disagree, 3 = Neither agree nor disagree, 4 = Agree, 5 = Strongly agree

DNA = Does not apply

High-quality legal representation [3.6, 3.9]	1	2	3	4	5	DNA
I had a positive relationship with my lawyer. [3.9]
My lawyer understood and respected my cultural identity. [3.9]
My lawyer understood and respected my gender identity and sexual orientation. [3.9]
In general, my lawyer treated me with respect. [3.9]
I felt that my lawyer cared about me. [3.9]
My lawyer explained my rights as a foster youth to me. [3.9]
My lawyer explained BEFORE court what would happen in court in a way I understood. [3.6]
My lawyer met with me AFTER court to explain what happened during my court hearing in a way I understood. [3.6]
My lawyer listened to what I had to say. [3.9]
My lawyer made sure that my wishes were heard in court. [3.9]
If I had any physical health or mental health needs that I wanted help with, my lawyer brought these up in court. [3.6]
If I had any school needs, my lawyer brought them up in court. [3.6]
My lawyer advocated for my needs and wishes (like visitation, services, personal rights). [3.9]
My lawyer filed paperwork on time for services I needed. [3.9]
I felt comfortable contacting my lawyer if needed. [3.6, 3.9]
Overall, I was satisfied with the legal representation from my lawyer that I received while in foster care. [3.6]

What is one thing that would improve the court experience for other children and youth? [1.12]

____________________________________________________________________________

What are three words to describe your court experience? [1.13]

1.____________________

2.____________________

3.____________________

Is there anything else you would like us to know? [1.13] ____________________________________

In what county was(is) your case? ________________________________________________

What is your age? _______

What is your gender?

☐ Female

☐ Male

☐ Non-binary

☐Other

☐ Prefer not to answer

Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?

☐ No

☐ Yes

What is your race? (mark all that apply)

☐ Black/African American	☐ White/Caucasian	☐ American Indian/Alaska Native
☐ Asian	☐ Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander	☐ Prefer not to answer
☐ Other race ______________________________

1 This survey was developed by Lily Colby, Esq., from With Lived Experience, along with the members of the Youth With Lived Experience Perspective Group.

2 This is an example of a youth experience survey using an agreement scale. Agreement scales allow for more nuanced responses and can pick up variations in responses to better understand youth perspective.

JCAMP Youth Experience Survey 4