1. Foster Care Coun 150 – Laws Relating to Children Richard M. Cartier Class 8

2. Child Protective Services Responsibilities No duty to intervene Limited tort liability (immunity) Systemic problems Inadequate resources -- $ / staff / programs “Secrecy” Wrongful removal

3. Reunification or Termination The “reasonable efforts” requirement The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 Requires states to terminate parental rights if the child cannot be returned home Terminating parental rights

4. More on termination... Due Process protections for parents Grounds for termination Presumptive grounds for termination

5. Foster Care Temporary foster placements Licensed private homes Group homes or institutions Kinship care Approximately 400,000 children Aging out of foster care

6. Significant Cases DeShaney Smith v. OFFER See Tort Liability – p. 187

7. Criminal Abuse & Neglect Criminal v. Civil Enforcement – 202 Abuse, Neglect & Endangerment – 207 Sexual Abuse – 218 Prospective restraints on the offender Child Pornography – 253

8. After termination Long term foster care Guardianship Adoption