Court Pathways & Jurisdiction
Which of these is NOT one of the restorative justice principles guiding Vermont's youth justice work?
A. Harmful actions are violations of people and relationships
B. Violations create obligations
C. Restorative justice engages and supports those who were harmed
D. Youth must be removed from their community to repair the harm
Answer: D. The three principles are in A, B and C. (Policies 162 and 164)
A youth in DCF custody has a court hearing. Who must arrange for the youth to be present?
A. The parent
B. The State's Attorney
C. The family services worker
D. The youth's attorney
Answer: C. (Policy 83, Page 3 )
The YASI is validated for youth of what ages?
A. 8 to 18
B. 10 to 25
C. 12 to 21
D. 14 to 22
Answer: B. Ages 10 to 25. (Policy 161; page 3)
A youthful offender's case closes at the latest on which birthday?
A. 18th
B. 19th
C. 21st
D. 22nd
Answer: D. The court can continue jurisdiction up to age 22, and the case closes at the 22nd birthday if the court does not discharge probation or YO status prior. (Policy 164, page 22)
How soon must DCF report a missing, absent, abducted or runaway youth with division involvement to law enforcement and NCMEC?
A. 2 hours
B. Immediately, and never later than 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
Answer: B. For youth in custody, also notify parents or caretakers ASAP or by the end of the day and complete the FS-155 Missing Child/Youth Notification Form and the FS-585T Incident Form (by the end of the business day for FS-585T). (Policy 155, page 4)
A caregiver can approve or decline normal activities without DCF permission unless the activity conflicts with a safety, treatment or case plan or court order, or lasts longer than:
A. 24 hours
B. 48 hours
C. 72 hours
D. One week
Answer: C. 72 hours, counted for a single event. (Policy 75, page 3)
A youth privately tells you they are transgender. What is the best next step?
A. Tell the foster family so they can support the youth
B. Ask the youth how much to share and with whom, and keep it confidential until they are ready
C. Put it in the next court report
D. Ask them to tell their parents first
Answer: B. Staff are not obligated to share with anyone (including parents, foster families and the court) until the youth is ready. Tell the youth who could see anything that is documented. (Policy 76)
Before a referral goes to the Case Review Committee for intensive residential treatment, the team must hold which meeting?
A. A permanency hearing
B. A High End Placement Meeting
C. An Act 264 meeting
D. A merits hearing
Answer: C. The team will hold an Act 264 meeting to review the treatment needs of the child/youth which will include consideration of past placements and relevant evaluations. The team will discuss whether or not the child/youth needs a higher level of care than can be provided in a community setting. (Policy 97, Page 1)
After a youth is adjudicated delinquent, the court may refer the youth directly to which kind of provider instead of probation
A. Any licensed therapist
B. A DCF-approved community justice center or BARJ program
C. The Department of Corrections
D. A residential treatment program
Answer: B. If the provider does not accept the case or the youth does not complete it satisfactorily, the youth returns to court for disposition. (Policy 83 page 6)
The court grants or continues DCF custody at the temporary care hearing. Within how many days must DCF file the initial case plan?
Answer: 60 days from the order transferring custody. If disposition happens within 60 days, the disposition case plan can serve as the initial plan. (Policy 83 , page 6. ; Policy 161
Name the four Principles of Effective Intervention.
Answer: Risk, Need, Responsivity, and Program Integrity. (Policy 161, page 3)
What happens to a youth's Family Division record when they successfully complete YO probation?
Answer: It is sealed, so the youth avoids a conviction on their permanent record. DOC's file is expunged. (Policy 165 covers sealing of juvenile records.) (Policy 164, page 21-22)
What number do you call to report a missing child to NCMEC, and which unit does this after hours, weekends and holidays?
Answer: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Centralized Intake and Emergency Services (CIES). (Policy 155, page 6)
Which activity can a caregiver decide on independently (a "green" activity)?
A. A school trip to Mexico
B. A permanent tattoo
C. A sleepover at a friend's house
D. Driving a tractor
Answer: C. International travel (other than Canada under 72 hours), permanent appearance changes and all farm equipment use need DCF involvement. (Policy 75, Appendix I, Page 4?)
Who must be consulted about a legal name change or puberty blockers for a youth in custody, and how quickly is it convened?
Answer: The Commissioner's Committee on LGBTQ Issues, convened by the director of operations within two business days. A representative of Outright Vermont is always invited. (Policy 76, Page 7
Who receives the CRC referral packet?
Answer: The Client Placement Specialist. If there is a disagreement between departments and an approval cannot be determined by the CRC, the client placement specialist will notify the social worker in writing of the reasons. The next step is for the social worker to seek a referral to SIT (State Interagency Team) through the LIT (Local Interagency Team) process. SIT will review the referral and may invite local representatives to the meeting. Upon completion of this process, SIT will render a decision in writing to the LIT coordinator. (Policy 97, page 3)
Restorative justice is defines as:
A. A community sanction program
B. Define the harm, repair the harm
C. Victim retribution
D. An understanding response for delinquents
Answer: B
After a merits finding, how long before the disposition hearing is the disposition case plan due?
A. 3 business days
B. 5 business days
C. 7 business days
D. 14 days
Answer: C. Seven business days. (Policy 83, page 7 ; Policy 164 )
Name at least eight of the ten YASI domains.
Answer: Legal History, Family, School, Community and Peers, Alcohol and Drugs, Mental Health, Aggression, Attitudes, Skills (social/cognitive), Employment and Free Time. (Policy 161, page 3)
At YO consideration, there is a presumption of Court Diversion for a youth who allegedly committed a non-Big 11 offense and scores what on the YASI?
A. Low only
B. Low to moderate
C. Moderate to high
D. Any level
Answer: B. unless the State’s Attorney states on the record the reason Court Diversion does not meet the ends of justice (33 V.S.A. § 5280(e)).
Name five circumstances that place a missing child at higher risk (which you must report to law enforcement)
Answer: Any five: under 13; unfamiliar area; missing 24+ hours before being reported; suspected trafficking or exploitation; prior running behavior; online enticement; medical or mental health condition; disability; substance use; needs prescription medication; pregnant; risk of self-harm or suicide; with people who could endanger them. (Policy 155, Page 8)
At what age can a youth in DCF custody babysit, and who may they NOT babysit?
Answer: Age 11 and older if developmentally appropriate and safe. Youth in custody may not babysit other children in DCF custody, siblings in custody need DCF approval, and youth with sexually harmful behaviors may not babysit. (Policy 75, Appendix I, Page 6?)
Where do you record a youth's legal name versus preferred name and pronouns?
Answer: SSMIS holds the legal name; with the youth's permission the preferred name can be added in parentheses. A case note alert in FSDNet records the preferred name and pronouns. (Policy 76, Page 5)
A youth in custody is pregnant. Must she tell her caregivers/parents? Which three referrals are made?
Answer: She is not required to tell her parents about the pregnancy or her choices.
Referrals: appropriate medical practitioner for health screening and information; · the local District Health Department Office for enrollment in the Healthy Babies program, WIC, and other appropriate programs; and · the local Parent Child Center to participate in both the ReachUp Program and other parenting preparation classes. (Policy 74 (dated 1999- Page 2))
Under current Vermont law, what is the minimum age at which a youth can be subject to delinquency proceedings, and when do 19-year-olds join the juvenile system
Answer: 12 (effective July 1, 2025, Act 4 of 2025; previously 10). 19-year-olds are treated as delinquents on July 1, 2027. Current charts in Policies 83, 162 and 164 start at ages 12-13. (Policies 83, 162 page 3, 164)
A youth's custody is transferred to DCF. How soon must the first permanency hearing be held?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 18 months
D. 24 months
Answer: B. Within 12 months of the custody transfer, then every 12 months. After DCF files its notice, the court must hold the hearing within 30 days, and caregivers are notified of their right to be heard using the Foster Parent Court Notification Card. (Policy 83, page 9 )
When must a YASI re-assessment be done?
Answer: When the youth is charged with a new delinquency, every six months for case planning, there is a significant change in circumstances, and before closing a case. It may also be done at any time as an engagement tool, and only dynamic factors change. (Policy 161, page 6; Policy 162 )
After a YO petition is filed (or a case is transferred to Family Division), who notifies the youth of the risk and needs screening, within how many days, and how long does the youth have to complete it? How long does DCF have to file the consideration report once the assessment is complete?
Answer: The court notifies the youth within 15 days. The youth then has 15 days to complete the screening. DCF has 30 days after the risk assessment is complete to file the consideration report. If the youth does not complete the assessment, DCF and DOC will not support YO status. The court may provide more time for the youth to complete the YASI with good cause shown. (Policy 164, page 9)
If no investigation is pending, within what time must the worker interview a youth in person after they return from being missing?
A. 24 hours
B. 3 business days
C. 7 business days
D. 30 days
Answer: C. Seven business days. A photograph is taken at the interview. A supervisor can approve exceptions, documented in case notes. (Policy 155, page 12)
What document let caregivers’ consent to routine and emergency medical care and short travel, and what Vermont law protects caregivers who follow the reasonable and prudent parent standard?
Answer: The Foster Parent Authorization Letter, given at placement or provided by DCF-FSD on request. Act 106 of 2018 (33 V.S.A. § 4906) establishes the standard and protects caregivers acting in good faith from civil liability. (Policy 75, page 1, 5 and 11?)
Name three things staff must NOT do when working with LGBTQ youth.
Answer: Any three: discriminate on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; try to persuade a youth to reject or change their identity; impose personal or religious beliefs; assume someone's identity; pressure or coerce disclosure. (Policy 76)
BONUS:
VERMONT’S CURRENT JUVENILE PHILOSOPHY INCLUDES ALL OF THE PRINCIPLES EXCEPT:
Answer: A
Where do you find which court (Family or Criminal Division) a case starts in, based on the youth's age and the offense?
The Juvenile Jurisdiction (Delinquency) Chart in Policy 83 or Policy 162 , which cite 33 V.S.A. § 5201. For YO filing and transfer, use the chart in Policy 164 §C. Appendix I of Policies 162 and 164 lists the Big 11 offenses. (Policies 83, 162, 164)
Name the form that reports information for the temporary care hearing, and the two forms used to detain a juvenile probationer. When can placement of a probationer be used?
Answer: FS-605 (Information for the Temporary Care Hearing). FS-316 (Detention of Juvenile Probationer) is given to law enforcement together with FS-103 (Juvenile Probation Violation Complaint). It can be used when the youth is not in DCF custody, has violated probation conditions,
and the behavior is an immediate risk to community or personal safety, an immediate risk to abscond, or a pattern of minor violations. The worker consults a supervisor first, and a probable cause hearing must be held the next working day. (Policy 83 page 10; Policy 162-page 8 )
The pre-screen for an adjudicated youth shows LOW risk. What happens next?
A. A full assessment is always required
B. The prescreen is the only assessment completed; unless supervisory approval is given to complete a full assessment.
C. The youth is placed on probation
D. The case goes to the Juvenile Justice Director
Answer: B. Only Moderate or high risk on the pre-screen requires a full assessment. (Policy 161, page 4)
Which form documents a graduated sanction when DCF is the lead agency, and which kinds of sanctions require court approval?
Answer: FS-162, Issuance of Graduated Sanction. Sanctions that restrict liberty (curfews, contact or location restrictions, restitution, added community service) need court due process approval. (Policy 164, Page 18-19L; Policy 162 §F)
A youth returns from a run and you suspect they were trafficked. List the key steps.
Answer: Offer medical care immediately or within 72 hours (emergency department evaluation; evidence can be collected within 72 hours). STI testing and a SANE exam are medically indicated but need the youth's consent, offered sensitively. Report suspected abuse or exploitation to CIES at 1-800-649-5285. If a Chapter 49 investigation is accepted, do not interview the youth about their time away until the forensic interview coordinated with law enforcement. Consult the ICPC/ICJ deputy compact administrator (required for all trafficking cases). (Policy 155, Page 11-12)
A 15-year-old in DCF custody starts counseling on their own. Can the caregiver or worker get progress updates?
Answer: Only with the youth's consent. Under Act 35, minors may consent to outpatient psychotherapy and counseling (not prescription drugs) without a parent or guardian. Youth of any age can also seek reproductive health services without parent or partner permission. DCF oversight is still required for anti-psychotic medications and for changes of provider. (Policy 75, Appendix I, Page 11?)