GATHER. LEARN. COLLABORATE.
____ Hosted by the Court Improvement Program of the Louisiana Supreme Court ____
ACT 350: DILIGENT SEARCHES AND THE
PERMENANT PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
Virtual CLE/CEU
Thursday, January 20th | 12:00pm-1:00pm
The Court Improvement Program (CIP) of the Louisiana Supreme Court in partnership with the Pelican Center for Children and Families welcomes you to attend a virtual CIP Café introduction to Louisiana’s Act 350 and its impact on Child in Need of Care (CINC) cases.
Act 350 became law on June 17, 2021, amending and enacting Children’s Code Articles 672 and 702. The Act creates requirements for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to complete diligent searches for adult relatives and significant individuals of children who enter foster care and a new Permanency Hearing finding for children under the age of 6 in certain circumstances. Additionally, the Act allows the court, current caregiver, or child, within 15 days of a placement change, to motion for a contradictory hearing to determine whether removal from the current caregiver was in the child’s best interest.
Objectives:
- Introduce new legislation (Act 350) regarding requirements for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to complete diligent searches for adult relatives and significant individuals of children who enter foster care and a new Permanency Hearing finding for children under the age of 6 in certain circumstances.
- Educate stakeholders on how the Act allows the court, current caregiver, or child, within 15 days of a placement change, to motion for a contradictory hearing to determine whether removal from the current caregiver was in the child’s best interest.
- Inform stakeholders on their responsibilities relative to Act 350.
- Provide helpful resources on Act 350 to participants.
Agenda:
Welcome and Closing:
- Curtis Nelson, J.D., Deputy Judicial Administrator, Division of Children and Families, Louisiana Supreme Court
Speakers:
- Rhenda Hodnett, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare, Department of Children & Family Services
- Mona Michelli, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Programs and Operations, Department of Children and Families
- Candice Leblanc, Deputy General Counsel 2, Bureau of General Counsel, Department of Children and Families
Facilitator: Mark Harris, Executive Director, Pelican Center for Children and Families
This CLE/CEU will provide an overview of the Act 350 requirements and responsibilities of stakeholders. Participants will be able to ask questions as well as be directed to helpful resources.
This training is free, has been approved for 1.0 hour of CLE and CEU, and is designed for all judges and legal and child welfare stakeholders.
Download a flyer for sharing!
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS: (985) 624-3514
The zoom link will be shared via email approximately two days before the training. Please watch for the email.
