Adjudication – A finding of the court, which shows that allegations made in a petition are proved.
Assessor - The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) will conduct a thorough assessment. (The FCM initially assigned to the case may be referred to as the assessor. The assessor and the ongoing case manager can be the same person) (See Child Welfare Policy 4.3.)
CANS - DCS utilizes the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment to document the intensity of behavioral health services needed by the child and family. The CANS will be the basis for planning individualized services for children. The CANS Assessment will also play a critical role in informed decision making regarding the type of placement a child needs once the decision to place has been made.
GAL/CASA (Guardian Ad Litem or Court Appointed Special Advocate) – A volunteer who is considered an officer of the court for the purpose of representing the child’s interests. A GAL/CASA is a participant in the case planning for the child.
CHINS – (Child In Need of Services) – Any child in the care of DCS has been determined to be CHINS under at least one of the 11 CHINS statutes. This determination is made by a judge, not directly by DCS.
Civil Court – DCS cases (CHINS and TPR) are heard in civil (also probate or family) court. These cases are not held to criminal court statute, and parties involved are not criminally charged through DCS cases.
Confidentiality – In terms of DCS work, confidentiality is critical. In some cases, DCS staff may not be permitted to share some details of a child’s case with resource parents. Resource parents will be expected to maintain confidentiality for the child in their care. This includes sharing full names, case details and pictures on social media.
Dispositional Hearing – Hearings held by the juvenile or family court to determine the legal resolution of cases after adjudication. Dispositional hearings may determine where the children will live for the time being, who will have legal custody of them, what services the children and family will need to reduce risk and to address the effects of maltreatment.
Due Process – In terms of child welfare, due process often occurs when a child is in resource care and a biological parent is located. In these cases, the biological parent would then be granted due process for the protection of their own rights, as well as any possible placement or adoption.
In-service Training – On-going training required to maintain a foster care license.
Licensed Child Placement Agency (LCPA) – Agencies external to DCS who train and provide therapeutic resource care licensing to resource and adoptive parents.
Life Book – Visual record of a child’s life and those who have shared it with them. It is a collection of memories, history, documents and souvenirs. When a foster parent takes the time to assist the child in creating their Life Book, they enhance the relationship and helps the child understand and connect to the past.
Medical Passport – The child’s medical records, kept in a spiral bound notebook. The medical passport includes immunization records, illnesses, allergies, names of doctors, dates of visits, etc. The
Medical Passport goes with the child when the change placement or are reunified with their family.
Permanency - The assessing Family Case Manager (FCM) will continue to monitor the safety and well-being of the child until the case is formally transferred to another FCM. (The FCM to whom the case is transferred is referred to as the permanency case manager) (See Child Welfare Policy 4.26.)
Per Diem Rate – The amount that licensed foster parents are paid per day for the care of a child in need of services. (CHINS)
Pre-Service Training – Initial training required as part of the preparation process to become a licensed resource parent.
Special Needs Child – For purposes of DCS Adoption, a child who is two years old or older, or is part of a sibling group where at least one child is at least two years old or older and will be placed in the same home, or a child who has been diagnosed with a medical, physical or emotional disability.
TPR – This is the process of Termination of Parental Rights. Once DCS files TPR with the court, the process begins. This includes hearings, negotiation and review by the judge. TPR is not granted in every case it is requested.
