I’m in court next week

Juvenile and family court moves fast and explains little. Here is who will be in the room and how to be ready.

If you need help now

Immediate danger: call 911.
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453: call or text, 24/7, they connect you to your state's reporting line.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, 24/7.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673, 24/7.

The judge or referee decides only what this hearing is for. Ask your attorney what that is, because "court" can mean a dozen different hearing types.
The county attorney represents the child-protection agency, not you and not the child.
Your attorney represents you. If you do not have one, ask the court about a public defender or legal aid before the hearing, not at it.
The guardian ad litem or CASA speaks for the child's best interests. Their report carries real weight. Read it if you can.
The caseworker wrote the report the hearing runs on. You are allowed to ask for a copy.

Bring a written timeline of events with dates, and every document you have: court notices, case plans, visit logs, school and medical records.
Write your questions down beforehand; hearings are short and it is easy to freeze.
Do everything on your case plan you can before the hearing, and bring proof of it.
Arrive early, dress plainly, speak to the judge, not to the other parties.