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CHANGE # 01-2007
January 2007
The North Carolina Division of Social Services (hereafter, the Division) is committed to the purpose of involving communities in protecting children. Individual communities have an opportunity to assure the protection of children in the community. Communities will make this determination based on North Carolina’s child protection laws, community values, expectations, resources, etc. Child protection interest in communities will acknowledge a parent's rights to safely rear children as the parent chooses, will consider a wide range of parenting practices, and will allow children to be protected within their cultural and ethical beliefs.
The Division recognizes child protection as a community responsibility. The Community Child Protection Team is one formal process that is used to ensure child protection while also providing social support.
Community Child Protection Teams (hereafter, CCPT) were established as one means for the state and local communities to form a partnership to strengthen child protection. CCPT were established in response to Executive Order 142 in May 1991. The duties and responsibilities of the CCPT are contained in 10A NCAC 70A .0201. The original purpose and composition of the team was further formalized and expanded by N.C.G.S. §7B-1406 (formerly N.C.G.S. §7A 143-576.1), effective July 1, 1993.
The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was reauthorized and amended by the “The CAPTA Amendment of 1996” (Public Law 104-235) on October 3, 1996. Section 106 (formerly 107) of CAPTA’s Title I was amended to direct the focus of the State grant program to one of support and improvement of State child protective services (hereafter, CPS) systems.
One of those requirements established by CAPTA was the establishment of Citizen Review Panels. The purpose of these panels is to provide new opportunities for citizens to play an integral role in ensuring that states are meeting their goals of protecting children from abuse and neglect. In 1997, North Carolina designated the CCPT as its Citizen Review Panel.
In North Carolina, each CCPT reviews active child welfare cases, fatalities, and other cases brought to the team for review. The purpose of the case reviews is to identify systemic deficiencies in child welfare services or resources. Once identified, teams develop strategies to address the gaps in the child welfare system within the county and report to the state areas of concern that warrant action by the state. Teams promote child well-being through collaboration. CCPT also promote child well-being through public awareness.
In order for North Carolina to be in full compliance with the conditions of CAPTA, CCPT are required to:
• examine the policies and procedures of state and local agencies
• review specific cases where appropriate
CCPT may review other criteria that it considers important to ensure the protection of children, including the extent to which state CPS is coordinated with the Title IV-E foster care and adoption program.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office.
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