20.2 Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment)

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(20) Special Circumstances

Policy Title:

Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment)

Policy Number:

20.2

Previous Policy Number(s):

5.7

Effective Date:

December 2021

Manual Transmittal:

2021-06

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. §19-7-5 Reporting of Child Abuse
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-40 Definitions; Confidentiality of Records; Restricted Access to Records
O.C.G.A. § 49-5-41 Persons and Agencies Permitted to Access Records

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Complete actions ordered by juvenile or superior court within the time period ordered by the court.

    No allegations of maltreatment may accompany the intake report.

  2. Consult with the Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) to discuss the findings and recommendations for the court.

  3. Submit findings and any recommendations in writing to the court.

  4. Document case activities in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of the occurrence.

  5. Immediately report any new, known, or suspected instances of child abuse to the CPS Intake Communications Center (CICC) as outlined in policy 3.24 Intake: Mandated Reporters.

Procedures

Social Services Case Manager

  1. Review the intake assessment and thoroughly evaluate the orders of the court.

  2. Contact the SAAG or the court to clarify and/or obtain additional information, as needed.

  3. Analyze DFCS history to ensure a thorough assessment of family functioning (see policy 19.10 Case Management: Analyzing DFCS History).

  4. Arrange for language assistance (interpreter and translation services) for individuals identified as limited English proficient (LEP) and auxiliary aids for sensory impaired individuals in accordance with policy 1.4 Administration: Non-Discriminatory Child Welfare Practices.

  5. Consult with the SSS to discuss how to carry out the court’s orders and next steps.

    1. Refer to policy 22.3 Kinship: Kinship Assessment when the court orders an assessment of a kinship caregiver for possible placement.

    2. Refer to policy 5.2 Investigations: Purposeful Contacts During an Investigation when the court orders interviews with a parent(s) and/or child(ren).

    3. Refer to policy 19.13 Case Management: Family Functioning Assessment when the court orders an assessment of family dynamics, interactions, and/or environment.

  6. Consult with the SSS to discuss the information gathered and confirm the completion of actions ordered by the court.

  7. Prepare a written report of the findings for submission to the court in accordance with local protocols.

  8. Consult with the SAAG to discuss findings and prepare for testifying in court or next steps (as applicable). Provide a copy of the written report for the court.

  9. Participate in court hearings as ordered by the court (see policy 17.1 Legal: The Juvenile Court Process).

  10. Submit the Special Circumstance Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment) to the SSS for approval and closure within 45 calendar days from the receipt of the intake report.

    This assessment is not an investigation. Maltreatment codes will not be identified, and the allegation detail page will not generate.

Social Services Supervisor

  1. Conduct a staffing with the assigned SSCM prior to the initial contact:

    1. Ensure the intake assessment meets the requirements for a Special Circumstance Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment)

    2. Discuss the orders of the court:

      1. Refer to policy 22.3 Kinship: Kinship Assessment when the court orders an assessment of a kinship caregiver for possible placement.

      2. Refer to policy 5.2 Investigations: Purposeful Contacts During an Investigation when the court orders interviews with a parent(s) and/or child(ren).

      3. Refer to policy 19.13 Case Management: Family Functioning Assessment when the court orders an assessment of family dynamics, interactions, and/or environment.

    3. Analyze DFCS history (see policy 19.10 Case Management: Analyzing DFCS History)

    4. Determine next steps

  2. Following information gathering, conduct a staffing with the SSCM:

    1. Discuss the information gathered

    2. Make any necessary determinations

  3. Document the supervisor staffings in Georgia SHINES within 72 hours of occurrence (see policy 19.6 Case Management: Supervisor Staffing).

  4. Review and approve the written report for the court.

  5. In conjunction with the SSCM, consult with the SAAG to discuss findings and prepare for testifying in court or next steps (as applicable).

  6. Review the Special Circumstance Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment) and make an approval decision in Georgia SHINES within 45 calendar days of receipt of the intake report.

Practice Guidance

Special Circumstances Juvenile or Superior Court (No Maltreatment) generally includes a request by the court for DFCS to evaluate a home, assess family dynamics, conduct interviews, etc. These requests could be a result of DFCS filing a petition with the court or a private dependency case. If there are indications of maltreatment during the assessment a new report must be made to the CICC. Upon conclusion, a written report should be prepared according to local county protocol and provided to the court and the SAAG. All information provided to the court must be presented in a professional manner.

Forms and Tools

N/A