Overview of Child Protection Process Presented to: Task Force on Child Protection August 3, 2007 Bill Navas Office of Attorney General 13 th Judicial Circuit

Initial response to a call from the Hotline CPI conducts on site investigation CPI conducts on site investigation Result: Result: No action required No action required Voluntary services offered Voluntary services offered Judicial intervention and/or removal Judicial intervention and/or removal

If a child is removed, A shelter hearing must be held within 24 hours A shelter hearing must be held within 24 hours An Early Services Intervention Staffing is held to identify the service needs of the child and family An Early Services Intervention Staffing is held to identify the service needs of the child and family In consultation with a Child Welfare Legal Services attorney, a Dependency Petition is filed In consultation with a Child Welfare Legal Services attorney, a Dependency Petition is filed

Options for Placement of a Child An approved adult relative An approved adult relative A licensed shelter/foster home A licensed shelter/foster home An approved non-relative An approved non-relative

Prior to approving relative or non-relative placements, A Homestudy is required to evaluate each caregivers capacity to provide a safe, stable and supportive home environment for the child, and A Homestudy is required to evaluate each caregivers capacity to provide a safe, stable and supportive home environment for the child, and Background checks are required (including fingerprints, local law enforcement, FDLE, NCIC, DJJ, and abuse reports) Background checks are required (including fingerprints, local law enforcement, FDLE, NCIC, DJJ, and abuse reports)

Placement Supervision Requirements The caseworker must visit with the child and the caregiver in the home: Prior to disposition, every 7 days Prior to disposition, every 7 days After disposition, every 30 days After disposition, every 30 days Frequency of caseworker visits can be increased if the situation warrants Frequency of caseworker visits can be increased if the situation warrants

If parents admit or consent to the allegations in the Dependency Petition, then The child is adjudicated dependent The child is adjudicated dependent A Guardian ad Litem is appointed by the court to represent the childs best interests A Guardian ad Litem is appointed by the court to represent the childs best interests A Disposition Hearing is held A Disposition Hearing is held

If the parents deny the allegations, The case is set for an Adjudicatory Hearing, and The case is set for an Adjudicatory Hearing, and If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child was abused or neglected, the child is adjudicated dependent If the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the child was abused or neglected, the child is adjudicated dependent

Once the child is adjudicated dependent, A Disposition Hearing is held A Disposition Hearing is held The court determines the most appropriate protections, services and placement setting for the child The court determines the most appropriate protections, services and placement setting for the child The Case Plan is approved The Case Plan is approved

Judicial Reviews Are held to review the childs status and the parents progress towards the goal, objectives and tasks of the case plan Are held to review the childs status and the parents progress towards the goal, objectives and tasks of the case plan Are held at least every six months until the court terminates supervision, or Are held at least every six months until the court terminates supervision, or Are held every 90 days if the child is in residential treatment Are held every 90 days if the child is in residential treatment

Permanency Review Hearing Is held no later than 12 months after the date the child was sheltered Is held no later than 12 months after the date the child was sheltered At this hearing, the court makes a determination of the childs permanency goal, in order of priority At this hearing, the court makes a determination of the childs permanency goal, in order of priority

Permanency Goals In order of priority are: Reunification Reunification Adoption Adoption Permanent Guardianship Permanent Guardianship Permanent Placement with a Fit and Willing Relative Permanent Placement with a Fit and Willing Relative Placement in Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement Placement in Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement