NCJ Number
13206
Date Published
1973
Length
185 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATION THAT A CHILD BE PLACED WITH OR REMAIN WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PARENT(S) IN CHILD PLACEMENT CASES AND THAT ACTION BE SWIFT AND FINAL.
Abstract
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PARENTS ARE THE ADULTS WHO ARE PERSONALLY AND EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED AND TO WHOM THE CHILD TURNS FOR PROTECTION AND FULFILLMENT OF HIS PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS. SUBSTITUTION OF 'THE LEAST DETRIMENTAL AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE' FOR 'IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD' AS A CHILD PLACEMENT GUIDELINE IS RECOMMENDED. THE LATTER PHRASE ALLOWS EGOCENTRIC ADULT INTERESTS TOO MUCH SCOPE. THE LEAST DETRIMENTAL ALTERNATIVE IS ALMOST INVARIABLY PLACEMENT WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PARENT(S), WHETHER BIOLOGICAL, FOSTER, OR ADOPTIVE. A CHILD'S SENSE OF TIME DIFFERS FROM AN ADULT'S. ANY DELAY IN PLACEMENT OR ANY PRE-ADOPTION PERIOD OF PROBATION CAN BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY HARMFUL TO THE CHILD. PROVISIONS FOR A MODEL CHILD PLACEMENT STATUTE EMBODYING THESE PRINCIPLES ARE INCLUDED.