Jurisdiction/Disposition Report Writer (J/D Writer) Unit

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Jurisdiction/Disposition Report Writer (J/D Writer) Unit program was established by San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) to focus on the evaluation of the family history and needs assessment prior to the J/D hearing. An original petition is filed by a social worker (SW) when it appears that a child comes within one or more subdivisions of Welfare and Institution Code (WIC) Section 300, and needs to be under the jurisdiction of Juvenile Court. At the Detention hearing the Court establishes a factual basis for each allegation and finds there is a “Prima Facie” case that the child comes within Section 300(a-j) of the WIC, and sets the J/D hearing. At the J/D Hearing, the Court establishes whether or not the allegations made in the petition are true, whether or not to declare the child a dependent of the Court, and determine the disposition such as Family Maintenance (FM), Family Reunification (FR), or remove the child from the parents and not offer them reunification services (No-FR). The J/D Writer program was established to address the issue of CFS Intake SWs not having sufficient time to evaluate the family and write up a thorough and timely case plan and J/D report. Under this program, the J/D Writer more thoroughly researches the family situation, history, dynamics, and safety and risk factors and evaluates the family service needs. This program allows the J/D Writer more time to engage with the child and family to determine which type of case plan is in the best interest of the family and helps ensure that the most suitable services are offered to families. This ensures that the J/D report is thorough, completed and submitted to Court on time, and lessens the workload of the Intake SWs.