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Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services in Child Welfare Cases. 2022 version
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Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
I. Legal Essentials
Overview: Child Welfare Case Flow Chart
Burden of Proof
Best Interest of the Child
Jurisdiction, Venue, and Transfer
Pleading Practice
Service of Citation and Notice
Interventions
Discovery
Evidentiary Issues
II. Investigations
Alternatives to Removal of a Child
Removal of a Child
III. Statutory Hearings
Hearings at a Glance
Court Ordered Services
Ex Parte Hearings
Adversary Hearing
Status Hearing
Permanency Hearing Before Final Order
Final Hearing/Trial on the Merits
Permanency Hearing After Final Order
Other Statutory Hearings
IV. Concurrent Issues
Reasonable Efforts
Establishing Paternity
Placement
Child Support and Kinship Support
Visitation
Older Youth in Foster Care
V. Federal Law
Family First Preservation Services Act (FFPSA)
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
School Stability Under Federal & State Law
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
VI. Reference Materials
Common Abbreviations & Acronyms
Additional Resources
VII. Check Lists
Judicial Hearing Check Lists
