Across North Carolina, there are 55 child advocacy centers (CACs) providing services to children who have experienced maltreatment, including physical or sexual abuse. County departments of social services and local law enforcement agencies often coordinate with CACs to conduct child medical evaluations and forensic interviews in investigations of child maltreatment. On July 1, 2024, a new law goes into effect that regulates CACs, creates new mandatory multidisciplinary teams involving CACs (with statutorily prescribed membership requirements), authorizes information sharing between members of a CAC multidisciplinary team, and provides new confidentiality protections for a child’s CAC records and information. Read on to learn more about how Session Law 2023-96 affects cases referred to a CAC by departments of social services or law enforcement agencies.
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Tag: child welfare
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The 2023 edition of the Abuse, Neglect, Dependency – TPR Manual Is Here!
My belated Valentine’s gift to you all is the 2023 edition of Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings in North Carolina, otherwise known as “the A/N/D Manual” or “the Manual.”
The 2023 edition of the Manual is now available at no charge on the SOG website, here. This edition replaces the February 2022 edition and is current through December 31, 2023 for both appellate opinions issued by the North Carolina appellate courts (most of which are published) as well as legislative changes made through that date. This updated and revised edition includes over 100 new opinions and the legislative changes impacting child welfare, including the significant changes to infant safe surrender.
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In Search of Youth Voice: Were You or Someone You Know Involved with Juvenile Court in N.C.?
Much of our work at the School of Government is focused on creating educational materials for professionals who work in North Carolina’s juvenile court—especially judges and attorneys. We want to share the voices of those who are affected the most – the juveniles. Assistant Professor Jacqui Greene and I are starting a video project to give voice to the experience of juveniles who have been involved in the juvenile justice and/or child welfare systems. This post provides some information on what we hope to do and how to contact us if you or someone you know is interested in participating. Continue Reading
