Dependency Court
A Levels Academy Islamabad
Transcript
00:00Unfortunately, child abuse exists, and in various forms.
00:05Fortunately, there are legal methods for protecting a child.
00:09Additionally, there are also ways for parents to clear up any perceived or alleged wrongdoing
00:14towards their child.
00:16All this happens through what's called dependency court.
00:19At least, that's what it's called.
00:21But in Florida, it really is just a type of case brought under the Florida rules of juvenile
00:26procedure and generally handled by the family court division of your local courthouse.
00:30A dependency case starts when a child is taken from parents and the state files what's known
00:35as a petition for dependency.
00:38But before a child can be taken, a complaint must usually be filed with the Florida Child
00:42Abuse Hotline.
00:44This prompts the state to follow up with an investigator within 24 hours of the complaint,
00:49usually with the involvement of the Child Protective Services, overseen by the Department
00:53of Children and Families, or DCF.
00:56The on-site investigation involves an inspection of the home and the conditions under which
01:00the child lives, an interview with the parents, and observing whether there are signs of physical
01:05harm, drug and alcohol abuse, or anything else endangering the child's welfare.
01:10If it is determined the child's safety is in question, they will be placed in a temporary
01:14protective home.
01:16This may mean a relative's house or, barring that, a foster home.
01:21Then, an initial hearing is scheduled to determine if there was reasonable cause for the petition
01:26of dependency to be filed.
01:28This may be included with several other types of hearings that take place throughout the
01:32year.
01:33These are a shelter hearing, trial, review hearing, and permanency planning hearing.
01:38Throughout the process, the dependency court can mandate medical and psychological tests,
01:43intervention classes, and training courses for the parents.
01:47Failure of or non-compliance with these requirements can lead to permanent loss of the children.
01:53This is all part of the case plan, which contains the guidelines for how a child can be returned
01:57to the home.
01:59This process can be drawn out, repetitive, confusing, and frustrating for both the parents
02:04and the child.
02:06But if you're fighting to get your child back, then they must be endured.
02:10LegalYou has the resources to give you the endurance and the guidance.
02:15LegalYou.
02:16You can do this.