Southeastern Connecticut Center for Juvenile Justice, Inc. SECCJJ, Inc., is funded by the Commission on Child Protection and the Office of the Chief Child Protection Attorney October 3, 2008 CBA CLE Seminar

PRISCILLA F. HAMMOND SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT CENTER FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE 132 BOSTON POST ROAD P.O. BOX 898 EAST LYME, CT PHONE: (860) FAX: (860) MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS IN CHILD WELFARE MATTERS

LEGAL AUTHORITY P.B. SECTION 34a-21 NO EX PARTE COMMUNICATION WITH EVALUATOR PRIOR TO REPORT C.G.S 46b-129(i)

OBJECT! NOT NECESSARY IN MOST P.S. CASES HIGHLY INTRUSIVE CLIENT HAS DIAGNOSIS, IS IN TREATMENT DANGERS OF OVER-EVALUATING CHILDREN CRIMINAL CHARGES PENDING?

NOW THAT YOU HAVE LOST THAT BATTLE LIMIT SCOPE OF EVALUATION DISPOSITIONAL, NOT ADJUDICATORY CLINICAL, INTELLECTUAL, PARENT-CHILD CULTURALLY COMPETENT EVALUATOR RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COLLATERAL CONTACTS

COMPETENCY EVALUATIONS AVOID AT ALL COSTS HIGHLY PREJUDICIAL ASK FOR GAL FOR ADULT CLIENT AFTER FINDING OF INCOMPETENCE

IN RE: DAVID W. 254 Conn. 676 (2000) LIMITED TO TPR CASES COUNSEL MAY CONFER WITH THE EVALUATOR ONCE THE EVALUATION IS COMPLETE IF: COUNSEL ADVISES ALL PARTIES OF SAID COMMUNICATION PRIOR TO THE WITNESS’ TESTIMONY

CHALLENGING THE EVALUATOR CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN EXPERT UNDERSTAND TESTING DSM-IV REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER…OR THE EVALUATOR!

October 3, 2008 CBA CLE Seminar Southeastern Connecticut Center for Juvenile Justice, Inc. SECCJJ, Inc., is funded by the Commission on Child Protection and the Office of the Chief Child Protection Attorney