The guidelines give court workers practical advice about dealing with children who have been abandoned, neglected, or sexually, physically, or emotionally abused. They cover children without parents or guardians and children placed for care or adoption in violation of Wisconsin law. Both children over age 12 who petition the court requesting jurisdiction and children whose parents or guardians request jurisdiction are included. Other children covered in the guidelines are those habitually truant from school or home as well as those receiving inadequate care while a parent or guardian is missing, incarcerated, hospitalized, or institutionalized.