The federal government, in its report. Child Maltreatment 2019: Summary of Key Findings, writes:

During FFY 2019, CPS agencies received an estimated 4.4 million referrals involving the alleged maltreatment of approximately 7.9 million children. The national referral rate is 59.5 referrals per 1,000 children in the population. Of these referrals, approximately 2.4 million reports—concerning approximately 3.5 million children—were screened in as “appropriate” for CPS response and received either an investigation or alternative response.  The national rate for children receiving either an investigation or alternative response was 47.2 children per 1,000 in the population.

How many of these cases resulted in civil lawsuits is unknown. Also unknown is the much smaller number that actually go to trial. When they do go to trial, mental health professionals will certainly be among the witnesses. Are there particularly effective strategies that attorneys should use on direct and cross-examination?