Court Players
This attorney advocates for the best interests of the child in court.
Who is the GAL (Guardian ad Litem)?
A regular hearing to check a child's permanency progress, typically held every 3 months.
What is a PRH (Permanency Review Hearing)?
Placement of a child with a relative or close family friend.
What is KIN (Kinship Placement)?
This act governs how Native American children are handled in dependency cases.
What is ICWA (Indian Child Welfare Act)?
This nonprofit offers health and community services, especially in Southern Chester County.
What is LCH (formerly La Communidad Hispana)?
This agency in Chester County investigates child abuse and neglect reports.
What is CYF (Children and Youth Services)?
A written document outlining goals and services for a family involved with child welfare.
What is an FSP (Family Service Plan)?
Specialized services to help children with emotional or behavioral challenges.
What are BHRS (Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services)?
This act helps immigrant children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
What is SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)?
This organization offers prenatal and parenting support services across Chester County.
What is MCHC (Maternal Child Health Consortium)?
This individual can be appointed to make school-related decisions for a dependent child.
Who is the EDM (Education Decision Maker)?
The legal action that severs a parent's rights to their child.
What is TPR (Termination of Parental Rights)?
An organized meeting where families collaborate with providers to plan for a child's safety and well-being.
What is FGDM (Family Group Decision Making)?
This federal law defines abuse and mandates protections for abused children.
What is CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act)?
This agency supports immigrant and refugee families through legal and social services.
What is HIAS PA (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)?
This organization assigns trained volunteers to support children in dependency cases.
What is CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)?
A document assessing immediate safety risks to a child.
What is an RA (Risk Assessment)?
The service that helps older youth prepare for adulthood.
What is IL (Independent Living)?
Pennsylvania’s law that defines child abuse and the legal process for investigation.
What is CPSL (Child Protective Services Law)?
Agency that oversees youth on probation.
What is JPO (Juvenile Probation Office)?
The statewide office overseeing child welfare services under DHS.
What is OCYF (Office of Children, Youth & Families)?
A coordinated system of child- and family-serving agencies working together.
What is a SOC (System of Care)?
Agreement between states to place children across state lines for foster or adoptive care.
What is ICPC (Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children)?
The federal law that emphasizes family reunification but also requires timely permanency for children.
What is ASFA (Adoption and Safe Families Act)?
A home-based visit by a caseworker to assess child safety and service progress.
What is an HV (Home Visit)?