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ALABAMA - BUREAU OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES - PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN - CHAPTER SEVEN

NCJ Number
51872
Date Published
1977
Length
69 pages
Annotation
WRITTEN FOR PROTECTIVE SERVICE WORKERS, THIS DOCUMENT OUTLINES INTAKE AND CASEWORK PROCEDURES OF THE ALABAMA PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND EXAMINES THE ROLE OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES IN REGARD TO THE COURT AND THE COMMUNITY.
Abstract
PROTECTIVE SERVICES ARE DIRECTED TOWARD PREVENTING OR REMEDYING ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18, WHO ARE UNABLE TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS WHO OR HAVE BEEN HARMED THROUGH (1) NONACCIDENTAL PHYSICAL OR MENTAL INJURY; (2) SEXUAL ABUSE; (3) OR NEGLIGENT TREATMENT OR MALTREATMENT. SERVICES INCLUDE IDENTIFYING CHILDREN IN NEED OF PROTECTION, RECEIVING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS, MAKING REPORTS, AND ARRANGING MEDICAL CARE AND PROTECTIVE PLACEMENT. PROTECTIVE SERVICES CASEWORK IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF WORKING WITH PARENTS THROUGH UNDERSTANDING ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND THE CASEWORKER'S ROLE. A SECTION ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO THE COURTS DESCRIBES COURT PROCEDURE, INCLUDING THEIR APPLICATION TO THE DEPENDENT CHILD, COURT HEARING IN DEPENDENCY CASES, THE ROLE OF THE LEGAL COUNSEL IN HEARINGS, AND THE LONG-TERM PLACEMENT PLANNING FOR DEPENDENT CHILDREN IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT. USE OF EXISTING COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE DISCUSSED. COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN PREVENTING AND TREATING ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND THE USE OF HOMEMAKERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE RECOMMENDED. COPIES OF THE FORMS REFERRED TO IN THE MANUAL, AS WELL AS DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THEM, ARE PROVIDED. THESE INCLUDE THE REPORT ON SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT, A SAMPLE BILL FORM FOR ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COURT MANAGEMENT'S 'SOCIAL HISTORY PACKAGE.'