Navigating the Dependency Court
The Navigating the Dependency Court video series provides County Child Welfare Workers with a brief overview of what they will experience the first time they attend court for one of their cases. The five video segments, each approximately eight minutes in length, explain the roles and mindset of the participants and the applicable laws that apply at each phase.
If you would like to submit any additional resources that may be helpful for child welfare workers who are getting to know their role within the navigating the dependency court process, please contact Jason Borucki at the Northern California Training Academy.
Dependency Court Phases
Detention Hearings
This segment of the Dependency Court series explores Detention hearings. These initial hearings are a family's first contact with the juvenile dependency court. This video discusses mandates, burden of proof and the courtroom environment.
Jurisdiction and Disposition Hearings
This segment of the Dependency Court series explores jurisdiction and disposition hearings. These are the hearings where the Court decides whether and how to exercise its jurisdiction over a family. This video discusses the applicable laws and options a court has.
In cases where families are given the opportunity to reunify, the court must review progress and make decisions about return. This segment of the Dependency Court series discusses the various options and legal distinctions within the mandated timelines.
In cases where families do not reunify, the juvenile court has several options available. This segment of the Dependency Court series will discuss the court's role in seeking and implementing these options.
A child welfare social worker may be called to testify at any time during a dependency proceeding. This final segment of the Dependency Court series will discuss why cases become contested and provide some tips to workers who are about to testify for the first time.