NCJ Number
72923
Date Published
1980
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This guide, written primarily for Indiana service providers, describes the movement of a Children in Need of Services (CHINS) case from an allegation through disposition. The relationships among the child abuse and neglect chapter of the 1978 Juvenile Code and the duties of child protection workers, medical, law enforcement, and court personnel are highlighted.
Abstract
CHINS are neglected, abused, and dependent children. Their physical or mental condition may be impaired or endangered as a result of refusal or inability of parents or guardians to supply them with basic necessities such as food, clothes, medical care and education. They may be victims of physical and sexual abuse. CHINS are also children who endanger their own health or the health of others and need care, treatment or rehabilitation which is unlikely to be provided without court intervention. The flow of a CHINS case is presented by topic; relevant criminal law citations, and child abuse reporting provisions are presented. The duties of the medical practitioner, coroner, child protection service agency, child protection team, and team coordinator are discussed. Options such as parental participation in a program of care, treatment or rehabilitation, or termination of parent-child relationship are discussed. Other sections of the guide detail both procedures for expungement of juvenile court records and of child abuse and neglect information and provisions for confidentiality. Relevant code and statute citations are presented to the right of each topic heading for referral and cross references. Index is included. Child abuse and neglect provisions, suggested information sources, a glossary, a case flow chart and an index are provided.