POLICY:
NOCAC Head Start staff will obtain legal documentation if a family indicates that there is some conflict regarding with whom the child resides.
PROCEDURES:
Determining Legal Custody/Guardianship
- The person (if other than parent) enrolling a child into Head Start must have legal documentation to substantiate their role as legal guardian. A child’s authorized caregiver or legally responsible party may include:
- A blood relative who has been declared by a state agency a child’s legal guardian.
- This is considered a Foster/Kinship relationship. Grandparents, Aunt/Uncles, cousins etc…
- Authorized Foster Family
- A state agency approved guardian or caregiver
- A blood relative who has been declared by a state agency a child’s legal guardian.
- Acceptable documentation includes:
- Letter of guardianship from the courts or a state agency
- Temporary Letter of guardianship from the courts or state agency
- NOCAC centers cannot legally restrict the non-custodial parent from visiting the child, or reviewing the child’s records. NOCAC Head Start has an open door policy which means any parent is welcome to visit our centers unless:
- There is a documented restraining or no contact order on file for the enrolled child from the parent wishing to come to the center/classroom.
- In dual custody/non-custodial situations, where the parent is to be involved in their child’s Head Start experience, staff needs to devise ways for both parents to attend parent conferences and home visits.
- NOCAC Staff will contact the non-custodial parent and introduce themselves and invite them to attend Head Start events.
- In the case where the parent/guardian cannot be physically present, duplicate progress reports, assessments, and other materials about their child’s progress can be mailed to include them in their child’s education.
- If an enrolled child is named on a restraining order, restricting an individual from contacting the child,
- A copy is obtained from the parent/guardian and placed in the child’s file.
- A copy is attached to the Child Enrollment and Health form on the bus
- NOCAC Staff should ask parent/guardian for a picture of the individual and attach to the order.
- All staff are made aware of the order and shown the picture.
- If the individual who is on the restraining order attempts to enter the center, contact or remove the child from the center, the police and custodial parent/guardian are to be called immediately.
- NOCAC Staff are to document information on a Child Abuse/Neglect Report form.
- NOCAC Staff will hold custody issue in strict confidence.
Forms and Additional Guidance:
This policy complies with the following |
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Head Start Program Performance Standard: | ||
ODJFS Child Care Manual: | ||
CACFP Regulation: | ||
Caring for Our Children: | ||
Other Sources: |
Effective Date: | 8/7/17 | Revision Date: | 8/7/17 | ||
Approved By Policy Council: | 8/7/17 | Revision Approved By Policy Council: | 8/7/17 |