§ 2634. Department for Children and Families policy

The Department for Children and Families shall adopt a policy defining its role with respect to families who establish a guardianship under this article. The policy shall be consistent with the following principles:

(1) The Family Services Division shall maintain a policy ensuring that when a child must be removed from his or her home to ensure the child’s safety, the Division will pursue a CHINS procedure promptly if there are sufficient grounds under 33 V.S.A. § 5102.

(2) When the Family Services Division is conducting an investigation or assessment related to child safety and the child may be a child in need of care and supervision as defined in 33 V.S.A. § 5102(3), the Division shall not make any recommendation regarding whether a family should pursue a minor guardianship. The staff may provide referrals to community-based resources for information regarding minor guardianships.

(3) In response to a request from the Probate judge, the Family Services Division social worker shall attend a minor guardianship hearing and provide information relevant to the proceeding.

(4) If a minor guardianship is established during the time that the Family Services Division has an open case involving the minor, the social worker shall inform the guardian and the parents about services and supports available to them in the community and shall close the case within a reasonable time unless a specific safety risk is identified. (Added 2013, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2014.)