Dependency Court Parent Orientation

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

Parents who have their children detained from social services become part of two systems; the child welfare system and the dependency court system. The Placer County Children’s System of Care (CSOC) Child Welfare Court Dependency Orientation provides an opportunity for parents entering the child welfare system to learn important details, ask questions, make connections and have a welcoming, non-adversarial, positive experience at the beginning of their dependency court process. Parents who have had their children legally detained or whose children are living at home under court supervision receive an informational flyer at the initial court hearing and a personal invitation from the judge to attend the class. At the class they are given a power point presentation, detailing important aspects of the dependency court process, social work and service delivery procedures, and contact information for future use. Parents who have attended the class report a greater sense of confidence and reduced anxiety as a result of having this opportunity. Their children also experience a much lower recurrence of maltreatment (