Actual or attempted intentional infliction of physical or mental injury upon the child or any child in the home; Sexual abuse or exploitation of the child; The sale or attempted sale of the child; or. The authority to conduct Family Functioning Assessment extends to those cases when the reported information potentially meets the definitions of child abuse or neglect. West Virginia Child Protective Services Policy, p. 29. Child Protective Services is provided to families when children are abused or neglected by their parents, guardians or custodians responsible for the care of the children. . The legal standard for abuse and neglect cases is clear and convincing evidence. Offices for Child Protective Services exist in all counties of New . GAL stands for guardian ad litem. One is low pay the entry salary for a trainee is $27,000 a year. They commonly happen in secret and without fanfare. What is neglect under West Virginia law? Typical rules for an improvement period can be: MDT stands for multidisciplinary treatment team. This starts with dismissing the petition if the judge feels it is safe to reunite the family. However, you should be aware that if you deny CPS and law enforcement entry to your home, they may be able to obtain a warrant rapidly by phone under some circumstances. Let us help you keep them safer and happier while preserving the family legacy. Next, the Homefinding Unit will do a background and criminal records check on you. <>/ExtGState<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> SIX STEPS OF CPS ACTION 1. These guidelines are to be used when a pregnancy or new birth is a factor in a report of child abuse, a CPS assessment or during ongoing case management. endobj So it is almost always in your benefit to have a lawyer, and why we are saying speak to your lawyer. 2 0 obj You are on this page: Child Protective Services Manual. Pass an Adult Protective Services and Child Protective Services (APS/CPS) Check, 4. You have a right to express concern for the way you or your child were treated, including any services you are (and are not) permitted to receive. ), and creating positive behavioral change. Under all circumstances, the image of the child witness transmitted shall include the entirety of his or her person ordinarily subject to observation by the human eye, subject to such limitations as may be unavoidable by reason of standard courtroom furnishings. Except as provided for in Rule 5, extensions of time and continuances beyond the times specified in these rules or by other applicable law shall be granted only for good cause, regardless of whether the parties are in agreement. A CASA is a trained volunteer who advocates for the best interests of the child. If a continuance is granted in accordance with this rule, the court shall set forth in a written order its reasons for finding good cause. And finally, note that the CPS guidelines in West Virginia state clearly that: Conversely, reports that do not constitute a reasonable cause to suspect that child abuse or neglect has or is likely to occur but describe some behavior that the reporter or the agency believes is inappropriate, may not be accepted for Family Functioning Assessment. These rules are not to be applied or enforced in any manner which will endanger or harm a child. I have even told families not to get too stressed out by this, as your first CPS call is common for many of us with kids with special needs. xcd``d*G9202``braF fbf h Case Evaluation 6. endobj Children and Families, Locate Local Coordinating Agencies for Children and Family Services, Locate WV Agencies for Early Childhood Services, View/Print Child and Family Services 5yr Plan, View Strategic Plan: Reduction of Dependence on Out-of-State Placement of Youth, Early Care and Education 1200 Legal Foundation for Child Protective Investigations and Child Protective Services. If you are unhappy with a court decision related to CPS, this must be addressed through the legal system. Our CPS attorneys are dedicated to assisting loving, qualified grandparents throughout West Virginia with enjoying more meaningful relationships with their grandchildren. So we are offering general information here, not legal advice. endobj When a child is placed in the temporary custody of the Department or a responsible person pursuant to W. Va. Code 49-4-602, the final adjudicatory hearing shall commence within thirty (30) days of the temporary custody order entered following the preliminary hearing and must be given priority on the docket unless a preadjudicatory improvement period has been ordered. Informal Kinship Care Arranging to care for the childs needs without the involvement of DHHS. As a parent, except in cases involving certain aggravating circumstances* and when consistent with the permanency plan for the child, you have the right to reasonable efforts made on your behalf to preserve and reunify your family, including the right to: -prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child from your home prior to placement in foster care, -have actions taken by DHHR to stabilize and maintain your family situation, -a DHHR determination that no appropriate or available services would alleviate or mitigate the safety threat to the child, before initiating any procedure to take custody of the child, -make it possible for your child to safely return to your home. Upon its own motion or upon the request of a party, the court may limit discovery methods and specify its overall timing and sequence provided that each party shall be allowed a reasonable opportunity to obtain information needed for the preparation of his or her case. No police officer or CPS worker can come into your home without your permission UNLESS they have a warrant. CPS does have an important job to do, and we all know of horrible examples of child abuse when CPS somehow dropped the ball. First of all, Child Protective Services is just like any other law enforcement agency. Gathers information by talking to witnesses and reviewing records; Monitors the judges orders and case plans; and. Isner Law Office can assist with all aspects of the adoption process for your grandchild. The court may hear motions and conduct conferences relating to discovery, service of process, or case scheduling by telephone or video conference call. Fax: (304) 558-1130, Office of Community Health Systems and Health Promotion, Health Facility Licensure and Certification, Report a Child The child witness shall testify under oath, and the examination and cross-examination of the child witness shall, in all other respects, be conducted in the same manner as if the child witness testified in the courtroom. West Virginia Autism Waiver and Social Security Disability Info. If you are obtaining medical attention for your child, but turn down a non-critical medication , CPS can not investigate your child for denying a non-critical med. Definitions. Child Protective Services is provided to families when children are abused or neglected by their parents, guardians or custodians responsible for the care of the children. $.' Citations to statutes relied upon in requesting the intervention of the court and how the alleged misconduct or incapacity comes within the statutory definition of neglect and/or abuse; A description of all of the children in the home or in the temporary care, custody or control of the alleged offending parent(s), including name, age, sex, and current location, unless stating the location would endanger the child or seriously risk disruption of the current placement; A statement of facts justifying court intervention which is definite and particular and describes: The specific misconduct, including time and place, if known, or incapacity of the parent(s) and other person(s) responsible for the child's care; and. Sorry for the inconvenience. This comprehensive child welfare resource provides state and national data on child maltreatment, foster care, kinship caregiving, permanency, and older youth in care. The judge, the attorneys for the parties, and any other person the court permits for the purpose of providing support for the child in order to promote the ability of the child to testify shall be present in the testimonial room at all times during the testimony of the child witness. CPS must have a court order to force you into taking a drug test. 1 0 obj The Child Welfare Crisis in West Virginia . We can answer all of your questions and help you get started. These rules are designed to accomplish the following purposes: As used in these rules, these terms are defined as follows: A circuit court before which a civil petition is filed pursuant to W. Va. Code 49-4-601, et seq., may order any other proceeding pending before another circuit court, family court, or magistrate court which arises out of the same facts alleged in the civil petition or involves the question of whether such abuse and neglect occurred transferred to the court where the civil petition is pending and may consolidate such proceedings, except criminal and delinquency proceedings, all in accordance with Rule 42 of the Rules of Civil Procedure and W. Va. Code 56-9-1. You have a right to have an attorney of your choice present before speaking with CPS. As used in these rules, these terms are defined as follows: "Adjudicatory hearing" shall mean the hearing contemplated by W. Va. Code 49-4-601 to determine whether a child has been abused and/or neglected as alleged in the petition; "CASA" shall mean Court-Appointed Special Advocate as set forth in Rule 52; "Child's case plan" shall mean the plan prepared by the Department . Again, we can not and are not giving legal advice on this website. You also have the right to explore various safety measures and decide what is best for your situation. To encourage the involvement of all parties, including children, in the litigation as well as the involvement of all community agencies and resource personnel providing services to any party. The testing of newborns is also a controversial issue in all states. PRIDE training teaches foster and adoptive parents skills and prepares them for the challenges of fostering or adopting a child. When involved with CPS, children enjoy all of the same relevant and respective rights as their parents. A motion to compel discovery shall set forth the request for discovery, describe why the items or information sought are discoverable, and specify how the request was not in compliance; A party receiving a discovery request may file a motion to deny discovery or permit a limited response. This order will be used to decide where the child will ultimately reside. Under the laws of nature and the state of West Virginia, even when we do not understand or agree with a parents choices, the rights of a grandparent are secondary to the rights of a parent except under certain specific and egregious circumstances as outlined by law. Call Isner Law Office right away (304) 636-7681. We strongly encourage you to consult your lawyer should legal issues arise in parenting your child or children with special needs. When you suspect abuse or neglect you should report your concerns to the Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a free, 24-hour hotline, at 1.800.273.8255. How Is Child Custody Determined In West Virginia? 1211 Texas Human Resources Code. <> As with all CPS interventions, CPS must inform you of your rights related to accepting and cooperating with any proposed In-Home Safety Plan, as well as any alternatives or consequences. February 16, 2021 - 6:25 pm. These persons are: Any medical, dental, or mental health professional ~hVRLUcrL$/*i52/e&en1\XQLZ&Tz MV,2{"-e/H4H]%N9hab) 7Eld`^.( !uYIqf /|C@FfD+40s7k~Xv]# W X5oTwYUol8%i[=E[{$p/B{#?Zq_mBd+Sjbpdu?Pp\alIm Uhn?B)(.oFa!f |\ |4qcM`$ c;ooK9,5% You have the right to be free from retaliation, intimidation, threats, coercion, and discrimination from the Bureau for Children and Families for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by Title VI, Section 504 (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964), or the Age Act, or because you have made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing. A co-petitioner is a person who files an abuse or neglect petition along with the prosecuting attorney. You may also protest the maltreatment substantiation through the Board of Review Grievance Process by completing the hearing request form and returning it within 60 days. Community, Protective Capacities Family Assessment, Family Case Plan, and Family Case Plan Evaluation, Child Protective Services and other related policies, Benchbook for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings and other relevant information, National Resource Center for Child Protective Services, Atlantic Coast Child Welfare Implementation Center. It is important to note that the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, as well as the United States Supreme Court, have previously ruled that a fit parent has the inherent right to make all decisions regarding the care, custody, and control of his or her own children. They cannot come into your home without a warrant, whether they are alone or with the police/law enforcement. 1210 State Laws Governing DFPS. The child, his or her parents, and his or her legal custodians have the right to a lawyer. Provide you with a drug test without your consent. <> The court retains exclusive jurisdiction over placement of the child while the case is pending, as well as over any subsequent requests for modification, including, but not limited to, changes in permanent placement or visitation, except that (1) if the petition is dismissed for failure to state a claim under Chapter 49 of the W. Va. Code, or (2) if the petition is dismissed, and the child is thereby ordered placed in the legal and physical custody of both of his/her cohabitating parents without any visitation or child support provisions, then any future child custody, visitation, and/or child support proceedings between the parents may be brought in family court.

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