8-801. Definitions In this article and articles 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. " Child safety services" means a specialized child welfare program that is administered by the department as provided in this chapter and that investigates allegations of and seeks to prevent, intervene in […]
8-802. Child safety worker; fingerprint clearance cards; interview requirements; temporary custody limit; cooperation and coordination; alteration of files; violation; classification A. The department shall employ child safety workers. All persons who are employed as child safety workers shall have a valid fingerprint clearance card that is issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07 or shall apply for […]
8-803. Limitation of authority; duty to inform A. On initial contact with a parent, guardian or custodian under investigation pursuant to this article, a child safety worker shall inform the family, both verbally and in writing, making reasonable efforts to receive written acknowledgement from the parent, guardian, or custodian, of receipt of all of the […]
8-804. Central registry; notification; definition A. The department shall maintain a central registry of reports of child abuse and neglect that are substantiated and the outcome of the investigation of these reports made under this article. A finding made by a court pursuant to section 8-844, subsection C that a child is dependent based on […]
8-804.01. Maintenance of reports; records A. All reports of child abuse and neglect and related records shall be maintained in the department’s case management information system in accordance with the time frames established in the department’s records retention schedule. B. In addition to the purposes prescribed in section 8-807, reports and related records maintained pursuant […]
8-805. Immunity of participants; nonprivileged communications A. Any person making a complaint, or providing information or otherwise participating in the program authorized by this article shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability by reason of such action, unless such person acted with malice or unless such person has been charged with or is […]
8-806. Voluntary placement; conditions; notice of placement; time limit; rules A. A child is eligible to be accepted into voluntary placement by a child safety worker on behalf of the department. B. On acceptance of a child into voluntary placement, the worker must prepare a notice of placement and file the notice in the case […]
8-807. DCS information; public record; use; confidentiality; violation; classification; definition A. DCS information shall be maintained by the department as required by federal law as a condition of the allocation of federal monies to this state. All exceptions for the public release of DCS information shall be construed as openly as possible under federal law. […]
8-807.01. Incidents involving fatality or near fatality; definition A. The department shall promptly provide DCS information to the public regarding a case of child abuse, abandonment or neglect that has resulted in a fatality or near fatality as follows: 1. The department shall provide preliminary information including at a minimum: (a) In the case of […]
8-808. Parent assistance program A. A parent assistance program is established in the administrative office of the supreme court for the purpose of providing information to and assisting parents or guardians in understanding the process of removal of a child from the home. The administrative office of the supreme court shall establish parent assistance offices […]
8-809. Parents’ rights; information on website; rule changes A. The department shall provide on its website information on parents’ rights and other information to assist parents and guardians in understanding the process of removal of a child from the home. B. The department shall provide on its home page a conspicuous link to the information […]
8-810. Missing children; notification; entry into databases A. If the department receives a report made pursuant to section 13-3620 or receives information during the course of providing services that indicates a child is at risk of serious harm and the child’s location is unknown, the department shall notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and provide […]
8-811. Hearing process; definitions A. The department shall notify a person who is alleged to have abused or neglected a child that the department intends to substantiate the allegation in the central registry pursuant to section 8-804 and of that person’s right: 1. To receive a copy of the report containing the allegation. 2. To […]
8-812. Child welfare agency; nonoperating identification license; photograph A child welfare agency that receives for care and maintenance a child who has been adjudicated dependent shall obtain within ninety days after the child is placed with the agency: 1. A nonoperating identification license issued pursuant to section 28-3165. 2. If the child does not qualify […]
8-813. Preplacement investigation; medical examination; disposition A. On the initial out-of-home placement of a child: 1. The division or a licensed child welfare agency shall conduct an investigation of the child designed to establish an appropriate plan for placement of the child. 2. The child shall receive a complete medical examination. 3. The child may […]
8-814. Permanent guardianship subsidy; offsets; annual review; discontinuation; appeals; definition A. The department shall establish and administer an ongoing program of subsidized permanent guardianship. Subsidies shall be provided from monies appropriated to the department or made available to it from other sources for permanent guardianship purposes. B. The department may provide a subsidy to an […]
8-815. Indian child welfare act; inquiry A. At the beginning of any court proceeding held pursuant to this chapter, the court shall inquire if any party has reason to believe that any child who is subject to the proceeding is subject to the Indian child welfare act of 1978 (P.L. 95-608; 92 Stat. 3069; 25 […]
8-816. Family builders program; services; definitions A. The family builders program is established in the department. The department may implement the program through collaborative partnerships between the department, community social service agencies, family support programs and other community organizations, which may include faith-based organizations, to establish a system that, through referral to a network of […]
8-817. Initial screening and safety assessment and investigation protocols A. The department shall develop, establish and implement initial screening and safety assessment protocols in consultation with the attorney general and statewide with county attorneys, chiefs of police, sheriffs, medical experts, victims’ rights advocates, domestic violence victim advocates and mandatory reporters. Any initial screening and safety […]
8-819. Determination of neglect In determining if a child is neglected, consideration shall be given to: 1. The drug or alcohol abuse of the child s parent, guardian or custodian. 2. The use by the mother of a dangerous drug, a narcotic drug or alcohol during pregnancy if the child, at birth or within a […]
