0300-503.35| Revision Date: 07/29/15
Overview
This policy guide outlines the required actions following a court order for a Pre-Release Investigation Report (PRI) and steps for completing a PRI.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pre-Release Investigation Report
Court Ordered PRI Non-Custodial Parent
Court Ordered PRI Relative /Nonrelative Extended Family Member
Version Summary
This policy guide was updated from the 07/01/14 version to include changes to WIC 361.3, this allows a CSW to place a child in the home of an appropriate relative or nonrelative extended family member pending the consideration of other relatives who have requested preferential consideration. Instructions have been added to place criminal clearances of relative or non-relative caregivers in a sealed envelope when providing results to court.
The purpose of a Pre-Release Investigation (PRI) is to assess the suitability of a non-custodial parent, relative, or nonrelative extended family member (who is not a licensed or certified foster parent) to care for a child. This investigation will be the basis for any recommendation regarding placement with the prospective caregiver.
The Emergency Response (ER) CSW, Dependency Investigator (DI) CSW, Generic CSW and Supervising Children's Social Workers (SCSWs) must work in collaboration to ensure the initiation and completion of the investigation.
Preference must be given to placement in the home of a non-custodial parent or first-degree relative(s); grandparents, uncles, aunts, or adult siblings of the child. However, a child can be placed in the home of an appropriate relative or nonrelative extended family member pending the consideration of other relatives who have requested preferential consideration. The following applies when determining placement:
If there is no available relative caregiver, efforts to locate relatives must be made on an on-going basis until a permanent plan is made for the child. For children that fall under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) provisions, CSWs should use the services of the Indian child's tribe to secure placement within the order of placement preference and in supervision of the placement.
Child and Family Team Meeting must be used when making a decision to place with a relative or nonrelative extended family member. Conversely, the decision not to recommend placement with an available relative must be made in consultation with the Assistant Regional Administrator (ARA) or his/her designee.
If any prospective caregiver has a criminal conviction for any non-exemptible offense or Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) information, the case-carrying CSW may deny the placement request without performing a preliminary assessment of the home and without making a referral to the ASFA Division. If the home of the prospective caregiver is not used and the decision is based due to criminal history, place the CLETS, Live-Scan results, FBI clearance, and/or subsequent arrest notification in a sealed envelope labeled "Fore Hearing Officer Only" when notifying Court of this decision.
PRI Report Sample (Ex Parte Application and Order)
DCFS 724, Placement Assessment
SOC 815, Approval of Family Caregiver Home
SOC 817, Checklist of Health and Safety Standards for Approval of Family Caregiver Home
SOC 818, Relative or Nonrelative Extended Family Member Caregiver Assessment
DCFS 280, Technical Assistant Action Request
Ex Parte Application and Order
SOC 815, Approval of Family Caregiver Home
SOC 817, Checklist of Health and Safety Standards for Approval of Family Caregiver Home
SOC 818, Relative or Nonrelative Extended Family Member Caregiver Assessment
0070-548.04, Intensive Services
0070-559.10, Clearances
0100-510.10, Placement Capacity
0100-520.10, Evaluating a Prospective Caregiver
0100-520.70, Exemptions for Criminal History Records
0300-308.07, Time Frames for Submission of Court Reports
0300-508.30, Identifying and Notifying the Court of Recurring Efforts to Locate Relatives and Nonrelative Extended Family Members (NREFMs)
1200-500.05, Adopting and Serving Children Under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Family Code Section 7950, states that with the consideration for the proximity of the natural parent to facilitate visitation, placement shall be made in the home of a relative, unless the placement would not be in the best interest of the child.
Health and Safety Code Section 1522, addresses fingerprint, criminal records, exemption, and criminal record clearance requirements.
Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 361.2, states that the court shall first consider placing the child with a non-offending parent who desires to assume custody of the child.
WIC Section 361.3, states that when a child is removed from the physical custody of his or her parent, preferential consideration shall be given to a relative who requests to have the child placed in their custody.
WIC Section 361.4, states that prior to placing a child in the home of any prospective caregiver or unlicensed or non-certified foster parent, the county social worker must visit the home to assess the appropriateness of the placement.
WIC Section 362.7, states that the home of a nonrelative extended family member must be granted or denied by the same standards set in the regulation for licensing of foster family homes.
WIC Section 16504.5, states that criminal background checks for prospective caregivers are part of the assessment process when considering placement of a child who has been detained or is a dependent of the court.
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Manual of Policies andProcedures (MPP) Division 31-445 , states that when considering placement of a child in home of a relative or NREFM, the child welfare agency must complete an in-home evaluation, a home assessment, and background checks on all adults living in the home and juveniles ages 14 and older (as applicable).