Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services in Child Welfare Cases. 2022 version

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