Dependency Practice Manual

You will need Adobe Reader to view the Florida Guardian ad Litem Dependency Practice Manual

• Dependency Case Management Flowchart

• Shelter-Disposition

  • Basics for Every Guardian ad Litem Program Attorney
  • Shelter Hearings
    • Practice Aids
      • Shelter Hearing Checklist
  • Dependency Petition
    • Practice Aids
      • Dependency Checklist
  • Arraignment & Shelter Review
  • Adjudication and Adjudicatory Hearing
  • Dispositions

• Case Plan-Permanency

  • Case Plans
    • Practice Aids
      • Case Plan Checklist
      • Case Plan Worksheet
  • Judicial Reviews
    • Practice Aids
      • Judicial Review Checklist
      • 17 Year Old Judicial Review Checklist)
  • Permanency Hearing
    • Practice Aids
      • Permanency Timeline
      • Permanency Hearing Checklist
  • Termination of Parental Rights
    • Practice Aids
      • Termination of Parental Rights Checklist
      • Termination of Parental Right Evidence Chart
      • Manifest Best Interests Worksheet

• Independent Living

  • Independent Living Programs for Past & Present Foster Children
    • Practice Aids
      • Independent Living Staffing Guidelines
      • Independent Living Guidelines -- Normalcy
      • Pre-Independent Living Guidelines (13-15)
      • Educational Planning
      • Independent Living Guidelines 17-Year-Old Requirements
      • Subsidized Independent Living Guidelines
      • Minor Parents in the Custody of the Department Guidelines
      • Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care Guidelines - Generally
      • Extended Jurisdiction Guidelines
      • Road-To-Independence Program Guidelines
      • Aftercare Support Services Guidelines
      • Transitional Support Services Guidelines
      • Other Benefits for Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care
      • Due Process / Fair Hearing Guidelines
    • Worksheets
      • Independent Living Skills Log
      • Service Worker Pre-IL Staffing & Educational Plan
      • Youth Worksheet Staffing & Educational Plan
      • Youth Subsidized Independent Living Worksheet
      • Youth 17 Year-Old Staffing, & JR Prep
      • Petition for Extended Jurisdiction
      • Removal of Disability of Non-Age - Residential
      • Removal of Disability of Non-Age – Banking Form 8.978

• Trial and Appellate Advocacy

  • Guardian Ad Litem Practice
    • Practice Aids
      • Timeline for Appeal Final Order
      • Reply Brief Checklist
      • Petition for Certiorari Checklist
      • Petition for Writ of Prohibition Checklist
      • Petition for Writ of Mandamus Checklist
      • Notice of Appeal Checklist
      • Initial Brief Checklist
      • Answer Brief Checklist
      • Appellate Practice Glossary
  • Trial Advocacy
    • Practice Aids
      • Preparing for an Important Hearing
      • Objections
      • Videotapes and Motion Pictures S § 90.401(3)
      • Impeachment of a Witness § 90.608
      • How to Refresh Memory on Direct § 90.613
      • Direct Examination of an Expert §90.702
      • Cross-Examination of an Expert Witness
      • Admissibility of Learned Treatise
      • Business Records §90.803(6)
      • Evidence Issue Involving Juveniles in FLorida

• Federal Legislation

  • The Adoptions and Safe Families Act (ASFA)
    • Practice Aids
      • ASFA Argument for Health and Educational Records
      • Significant ASFA Cites
      • Outline of ASFA
  • Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
    • Practice Aids
      • Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Checklist
  • Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
    • Practice Aids
      • State Specific Information-Chart
      • Relative Information Form

• Special Needs

  • Mental Health Needs of Dependent Children
    • Practice Aids
      • Psychotropic Medication- Florida Statewide GAL Guidelines
      • Psychotropic Medication- Information Gathering
      • Psychotropic medication- Hearing
      • Psychotropic Medication- Checklist
      • Arguments-GAL’s Objection to Psychotropic Medication
  • Educational Advocacy under Idea, 504 & McKinney-Vento
    • Practice Aids
      • Idea Alphabet Soup
      • Sample Letter to Request Evaluation
      • Sample Letter to Review Records
      • Questions to Ensure Educational Needs Are Being Met
      • Education Internet Resources
  • Master Trust Issues for Children & Youth Foster Care
    • Practice Aids
      • Example of Reason for Request of Fee Waiver
      • DCF Procedure 175-59
      • Master Trust Checklist
      • Form 285 D1 Waiver Application
      • Quarterly Accounting Contents
  • Developmental Disabilites
  • Keeping Children Safe Act & Dynamics of Sexual Abuse