Advocating for Nonresident Fathers in Child Welfare Court Cases Checklist Mobile App

Included Fields

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  Fight for custody if your client wishes

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  Inform the agency of the father’s interest in custody promptly.

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  Remind the agency of the father’s interest in custody throughout the case.

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  Request a concurrent goal of custody with the father.

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  Ensure successful visits

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  If necessary, seek court-ordered visitation based on the agency’s “reasonable efforts” obligations.

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  Encourage the father to:

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  accept every visit offered;

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  avoid arriving late or leaving early;

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  confirm visits in advance;

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  call the caseworker if an emergency prevents him from attending; and

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  alert you if transportation to visits is an issue.

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  Press the agency for a more accessible visit location or schedule if necessary.

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  Request longer, more frequent visits as the case progresses.

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  Work with the caseworker, father and (when appropriate) a counselor if visits go poorly.

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  Prove the father’s fitness to parent at trial

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  Offer evidence of your client’s physical capacity to parent by showing he:

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  has safe and appropriate housing;

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  has sufficient financial resources;

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  has access to child care or school for the child, if necessary; and

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  will be able to access services he and the child need once the case closes.

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  Show your client understands and can meet the child’s physical and emotional needs (e.

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  competent full- or part-time caretaking of other children;

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  progress on a case plan;

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  a responsive attitude to the child at visitation and/or before the case.

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  Help fathers who do not want custody achieve their other goals

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  If the father wants his child placed with a relative:

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  Ensure the agency knows the client’s wishes.

• ...and More!