- Kinship Care and the Child Welfare System May 2022Sometimes grandparents, other relatives, or family friends care for children when their parents are unable to care for them. This arrangement, known as kinship care, can occur with or without the involvement of a child welfare agency, depending on the situation. This factsheet is designed to help kin caregivers—including grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and other relatives as well as family friends caring for children— work effectively with the child welfare system. It also includes resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find support, to help you learn about and navigate the child welfare system.
- Kinship Caregiving Options Dec 2021This publication helps kinship families and the professionals who assist them compare caregiving options. It provides a broad, national overview about the choices and considerations to help caregivers make informed decisions about the pathways to pursue.
- North Carolina Juvenile Court: A Handbook for Parents in Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Hearings Sep 2012Being involved in a child abuse, neglect, or dependency case can be very stressful for a family. Not knowing what to expect can make it even harder. This handbook tries to explain the court process and the people involved in your case, but it is only a general explanation. You should always discuss your case with your lawyer.
- Partnering With Relatives to Promote Reunification Jan 2020If you are stepping in to care for a relative’s children, you play an important role in the child welfare system by helping to support the family connections that are essential to a child’s health and well-being. Because kinship caregivers must navigate the often-blurred line between being a family member and assuming responsibility for a relative’s children, misunderstandings may arise as they strive to adhere to court orders and agency rules. Partnerships between caregivers and parents—that include clear goals and expectations—are essential for promoting family reunification and child and family well-being.
- Reunification: Bringing Your Children Home From Foster Care May 2016When can my children come home? This is the first question many parents ask when their children or youth are in foster care. (In this factsheet, we use the term “foster care” broadly. It refers to any situation in which children are in the State’s custody, whether they stay with relatives, in a licensed foster home, or in a residential facility.) When children are placed in foster care, it can be very stressful for everyone in the family. You may feel angry, overwhelmed, or worried about your children’s safety and well-being. Your children may be confused and scared. But foster care is not forever. Children and youth can and do return home to their families. In fact, this is the most common outcome. Reunification—which means getting the family safely back together—is almost always the first goal and in your child’s best interest.
- Supreme Court of North Carolina Self-Representation Packet Oct 2023A resource for self-represented litigants that aims to help explain the appellate court system and answer common questions that people may have when they represent themselves in an appeal.
- Tribunal de menores de Carolina del norte: Un manual para padres involucrados en audiencias de abuso, maltrato, descuido y dependencia de menores Sep 2012Estar involucrado en un caso de abuso, maltrato, descuido o protección de menores puede ser muy estresante para una familia. No saber qué esperar puede dificultar su situación aún más. Este manual intenta explicar el proceso judicial y las personas involucradas en su caso, pero sólo proporciona una explicación general. Siempre debe consultar con su abogado sobre su caso particular.
- Understanding Your Rights as a Parent Sep 2018The child welfare agency must help return your child to you. The court will want to know what the agency is doing to help you. Remember, your lawyer works for you. Ask your lawyer for help with any of these issues. State policy gives you gives you gives you rights and responsibilities as a parent after your child is removed and placed in someone your child is removed and placed in someone else’s care. else’s care. This includes the right includes the right includes the right to visit your child your child unless a judge orders otherwise and the right to consent to your child’s marriage.