Laws to Know
Because child welfare goes beyond child safety to focus on parental rights, and because Courts are involved, it is very important to have a full understanding of the key laws that guide work in this area.
Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA)
A 1997 law that restricts the amount of time a child can be in foster care before the agency initiates a Termination of Parental Rights.
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
This law includes important provisions regarding newborns who test positive for drugs.
Confidentiality for Drug Treatment Clients
It’s hard to work with drug treatment without understanding 42 CFR Pt. 2, also known as “the Confidentiality Law”.
NYS Permanency Law
The State law that is guiding family court practice in New York City today.
Local Services Bulletin 2006-02
OASAS Local Services Bulletin about parent/child visits, and under what circumstances they can be cancelled.
