North Carolina Foster Care,
Youth Rights & Responsibilities

A brochure prepared by Advocates for Children's Services

Understand what is happening in your life!  
Know your rights and responsibilities! 
Be involved in the decisions that affect you!

CONTENTS:
  Introduction
  Constitutional Rights
  Federal Laws
  State Laws
  Your Rights & Responsibilities To (per NC General Statutes):
      1.  Be Involved In Your Legal Proceedings
      2.  Appointment of a "Guardian as Litem" (GAL)
      3.  Continued Familial Relationships
      4.  Proper & Fair Treatment
      5.  Proper Physical/Mental Health Care
      6.  Educational Services
      7.  Transitional Services
      8.  Voice Your Complaints of Violations
Contacts
References

North Carolina Foster Care,
Youth Rights & Responsibilities

Introduction

This handbook is published by Legal Aid of North Carolina – Advocates for Children’s Services.  It is intended to inform foster care youths of the laws that they have as children in foster care. Advocates for Children’s Services believes that children are capable of understanding and participating in decisions that are important to them. We also believe that children’s "expressed interest" should be heard by the Court at every critical stage of the legal process.

Advocates for Children’s Services is a part of Legal Aid of North Carolina, and lawyers are available to advocate for the expressed interest of children and for placement, educational and medical services that are needed by each child. There is no fee for our services.

It is important that every foster child know what their rights and responsibilities are and what critical decisions are being made throughout the course of their lives. We believe YOUR voice should be heard, either directly from you, or through us. The more you know about your rights the more you can participate in having your expressed interest considered by the court and by the persons and agencies with whom you interact.

We do not believe children are objects or property.  We believe their voices should be heard.

Constitutional Rights

The U.S. Supreme Court stated in a 1967 decision(1) that "neither the 14th Amendment nor the Bill of Rights is for adults alone" and that "under our constitution, the condition of being a boy does not justify a kangaroo court."

Two years later (2), the Court also said, "Constitutional rights do not mature and come into being magically only when one attains the state-defined age of majority. Minors, as well as adults, are protected by the constitution and possess constitutional rights."

In 1969, in a case involving a child’s wearing of an arm band to school, the court stated that "[Children are persons and] possessed of fundamental rights which the state must respect."(3)

Then, in 2000, during a case discussion on child abuse, the court said, "Government has no nobler duty than that of protecting its country’s lifeblood – the children."(4)

Federal Laws

The U. S. Congress has passed some very important laws that specifically state how children in foster care are to be treated. These laws also indicate what services are to be provided to foster children so that their Constitutional Rights are protected.

President Clinton passed the Adoption and Safe Families Act on November 19, 1997. This new law(5) was as passed in an effort to more quickly move children from dangerous situations into permanent and safe homes – particularly if they had special needs. The federal government committed itself to providing more than half the cost of caring for foster children with special needs. President Clinton stated that "[T]he child’s health and safety shall be paramount."

This new Federal Law required States to enact laws to meet the goals of the new Federal law. To receive the federal foster care money, all states must meet the following guidelines:

  • Making child safety a paramount concern in providing
      services, and making placement and permanency decisions.

  • Shortening the amount of time children spend in foster care.

  • Providing timely and intensive services for families and
       children.

  • Focusing on positive outcomes by increasing Adoption
       incentives.

State Laws

The State of North Carolina has passed legislation and has amended their administrative procedures and their policy manuals in order to comply with the Federal goals in caring for foster children.(6)

The North Carolina General Statutes contain the laws passed by our legislators in an effort to notify you and the public of your rights to make sure you receive what you are entitled to and to make sure your rights are not violated. These rights and responsibilities, in a broad scope, include:

  1. 1. The Right and Responsibility to be involved in legal
        proceedings affecting you.
  2. 2. The Right and Responsibility to have a guardian ad Litem if you
        were abused or neglected and the right to legal representation
        if your parent’s parental rights are being terminated.
  3. 3. The Right and Responsibility to maintain familial relationships.
  4. 4. The Right and Responsibility to be properly and fairly treated
       while in foster care.
  5. 5. The Right and Responsibility to physical and mental health care.
  6. 6. The Right and Responsibility to appropriate and adequate
        educational services.
  7. 7. The Right and Responsibility to transitional services if you are
        aging out of foster care.
  8. 8. The Right and Responsibility to voice your complaint if you
        believe you are not being treated properly or that your rights
        have been violated.

Your Right and Responsibilities

(per NC General Statutes)

1. The Right and Responsibility To
    Be Involved In Your Legal Proceedings
If you are in Foster Care, chances are you came into the care and custody of the Department of Social Services because you were either abused, neglected, or determined to be a dependent youth of the state The state then assumed the responsibility of your care and custody. The process of bringing you into the care and custody of the state, keeping you, returning you home or preparing you for adoption, involves a series of legal proceedings which must occur. These legal proceedings affect your life, and you have a right and responsibility to be involved in them. These are your "due process" rights.

There are many stages in the legal process. Here is what is contained within some of the relevant sections of Chapter 7B of the North Carolina General Statutes along with definitions of terms that we have included:

  • 7B-500 
    A juvenile may be taken into temporary custody without a court order by a law enforcement officer or a department of social services worker if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the juvenile is abused, neglected, or dependent and that the juvenile would be injured or could not be taken into custody if it were first necessary to obtain a court order.

    "Temporary Custody":
    When DSS takes physical custody of a youth and provides personal care and  supervision until a court order for secure or non-secure custody can be obtained.

  • 7B-501(b)
    A juvenile taken into temporary custody…shall not be held for more than 12 hours, or for more than 24 hours if any of the 12 hours falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, unless:
    (1) A petition or motion for review has been filed by
         the director of the department of social services, and
    (2) An order for non-secure custody has been
         entered by the court.

  • 7B-503(a)
         A juvenile alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent shall be placed in nonesuch custody only when there is a reasonable factual basis to believe that there are no other reasonable means available to protect the juvenile.  In no case shall a juvenile alleged to be abused, neglected, or dependent be placed  in secure custody.

    "Non-secure Custody": 
    Placement in the home of a relative or foster care or other court approved facility in order to protect a youth.

    "Secure Custody":
    Placement in a locked facility.

  • 7B-506(a)
    No juvenile shall be held under a nonesuch custody order for more than seven calendar days without a hearing on the merits or a hearing to determine the need for continued custody. A hearing on nonesuch custody…may be continued for up to 10 business days with the consent of the juvenile's parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker and, if appointed, the juvenile's guardian ad litem.

  •  7B-506(b)
    At a hearing to determine the need for continued custody, the court shall receive testimony and shall allow the guardian ad litem, or juvenile, and the juvenile's parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker an opportunity to introduce evidence, to be heard in the person's own behalf, and to examine witnesses.

  • 7B-506(e)
    If the court orders at the hearing required in subsection (a)…that the juvenile remain in custody, a subsequent hearing on continued custody shall be held within seven business days of that hearing, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, and pending a hearing on the merits,  hearings thereafter shall be held at intervals of no more than 30 calendar days.

  • 7B-801(a)
    At any hearing…, the court in its discretion shall determine whether the hearing or any part of the hearing shall be closed to the public. 

  • 7B-801(b)
    No hearing or part of a hearing shall be closed by the court if the juvenile requests that it remain open.

  • 7B-801(c) 
    The ad judicatory hearing shall be held…no later than 60 days from the filing of the petition unless the judge…orders that it be held at a later time.

    "Ad Judicatory Hearing":
    A hearing to determine whether the allegations stated in the petition are true.

    "Allegations":
    What someone says is true but what must be proven to be true by "clear and convincing evidence.

    "Dispositional Hearing":
    A hearing to design an appropriate plan o meet a youth’s needs or to dismiss he case if warranted.

  • 7B-802
    In the ad judicatory hearing, the court shall protect the rights of the juvenile and the juvenile's parent to assure due process of law.

  • 7B-808
    The court shall proceed to the dispositional hearing upon receipt of sufficient social, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and educational information. No predisposition report shall be submitted to or considered by the court prior to the completion of the ad judicatory hearing. 

    The court shall permit the guardian ad litem or juvenile to inspect any predisposition report to be considered by the court in making the disposition unless the court determines that disclosure would seriously harm the juvenile's treatment or would violate a promise of confidentiality. 

    Opportunity to offer evidence in rebuttal shall be afforded [given to] the guardian ad litem or juvenile, and the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian at the dispositional hearing.

  • 7B-900
    The purpose of dispositions in juvenile actions is to design an appropriate plan to meet the needs of the juvenile….  If possible, the initial approach should involve working with the juvenile and the juvenile's family in their own home so that the appropriate community resources may be involved in care, supervision, and treatment according to the needs of the juvenile.

  • 7B-906(a)
    In any case where custody is removed from a parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker the court shall conduct a review hearing within 90 days from the date of the dispositional hearing and shall conduct a review hearing within six months thereafter. 

    The clerk shall give 15 days' notice of the review and its purpose to the parent, the juvenile, if 12 years of age or more, the guardian, any foster parent, relative, or pre-adoptive parent providing care for the child, the custodian or agency with custody, the guardian ad litem, and any other person or agency the court may specify….

  • 7B-906(c)
    At every review hearing, the court shall consider information from the parent, the juvenile, the guardian, any foster parent, relative, or pre-adoptive parent providing care for the child, the custodian or agency with custody, the guardian ad litem, and any other person or agency which will aid in its review.

  • 7B-907(a)
    In any case where custody is removed from a parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker, the judge shall conduct a review hearing designated as a permanency planning hearing within 12 months after the date of the initial order removing custody….

    The purpose of the permanency planning hearing shall be to develop a plan to achieve a safe, permanent home for the juvenile within a reasonable period of time. 

    Subsequent permanency planning hearings shall be held at least every six months thereafter, or earlier as set by the court, to review the progress made in finalizing the permanent plan for the juvenile, or if necessary, to make a new permanent plan for the juvenile. 

    The clerk shall give 15 days' notice of the hearing and its purpose to the parent, the juvenile if 12 years of age or more, the guardian, any foster parent, relative, or pre-adoptive parent providing care for the child, the custodian or agency with custody, the guardian ad litem, and any other person or agency the court may specify….

  • 7B-907(b)
    At any permanency planning review, the court shall consider information from the parent, the juvenile, the guardian, any foster parent, relative or pre-adoptive parent providing care for the child, the custodian or agency with custody, the guardian ad litem, and any other person or agency which will aid it in the court's review.

  • 7B-908(a)
    The purpose of each placement review is to ensure that every reasonable effort is being made to provide for a permanent placement plan for the juvenile…consistent with the juvenile's best interests. 

    At each review hearing the court may consider information from the department of social services, the licensed child-placing agency,  the guardian ad litem, the child, any foster parent, relative, or pre-adoptive parent providing care for the child, and any other person or agency the court determines is likely to aid in the review.

  • 7B-908(b)
    The court shall conduct a placement review not later than six months from the date of the termination hearing….

    "Termination Hearing":
    A hearing that will determine that the parent is no longer recognized as a youth’s parent in the eyes of the law.

  • 7B-910(a) 
    The court shall review the placement of any juvenile in foster care made pursuant to a voluntary agreement between the juvenile's parents or guardian and a county department of social services.

    "Voluntary Placement":
    A parent has agreed to place their child in foster care and the DSS has agreed to accept the child in foster care.

  • 7B-910(c)
    An initial review hearing shall be held not more than 180 days after the juvenile's placement and shall be calendared by he clerk for hearing within such period upon timely request by the director of social services. Additional review hearings shall be held at such times as the court shall deem appropriate…. 

    A juvenile placed under a voluntary agreement between the juvenile's parent or guardian and the county department of social services shall not remain in placement more than 12 months without the filing of a petition alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency.

  • 7B-910(d)
    The clerk shall give at least 15 days' advance written notice of the initial and subsequent review hearings to the parents or guardian of the juvenile, to the juvenile if 12 or more years of age, to the director of social services, and to any other persons whom the court may specify.

  • 7B-1106.1(a)
    Upon the filing of a motion [for termination of parental rights] the movant shall prepare a notice directed to…[t]he juvenile, if the juvenile is 12 years of age or older at the time the motion is filed….

    The notice shall [explain that] a written response [can be filed] within 30 days after service of the motion and notice.

    "Motion":
    A legal paper filed with the court to request a chance to be heard about a issue you want the court to decide for you.

    "Movant":
    The person filing the Motion.

    "Notice":
    A formal invitation to attend a hearing to discuss the Motion.

    "    Calendared":
    Putting a Motion on the Court’s calendar for a hearing.

2. The Right and Responsibility To
    Appointment of a Guardian ad Litem ("GAL")
The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program is run by the Administrative Office of the Courts for the State of North Carolina. The GAL is an officer for the Court. The program trains volunteers who are to act independently as an advocate to represent the "best interest" of children. When DSS files a petition alleging a child is abused or neglected the court must appoint a GAL.(7)

If the youth is dependent, the judge is not required to appoint a GAL, but may do so. However, if A GAL was not appointed initially and later in time there is a hearing for Termination of Parental Rights, then, the Court is required to appoint a GAL for you if your parents contest the grounds for termination of their parental rights.(8)

If a GAL is not an attorney, an attorney is appointed to assist the GAL in an effort to protect a child’s legal rights. The appointment will end when the permanent plan for a youth is achieved. The North Carolina Statutes provide for this appointment in Chapter 7B, Section 601 and Section 908(b)(2). These statutes, or laws, also list the duties of the GAL.

  • 7B-601
    The duties of the guardian ad litem program shall be to:

        * make an investigation to determine the facts, the
          needs of the juvenile, and the available resources within
          the family and community to meet those needs; 

        * to facilitate, when appropriate, the settlement of
          disputed issues; to offer evidence and examine witnesses
          at adjudication; 

        * to explore options with the court at the dispositional 
          hearing; 

        * to conduct follow-up investigations to insure that the 
          orders of the court are being properly executed; 

        * to report to the court when the needs of the juvenile
          are not being met; 

        * and to protect and promote the best interests of the 
          juvenile until formally relieved of the responsibility 
          by the court.

Your GAL has a duty to protect your "best interests".  Your GAL may talk with your teachers, foster parents, parents, social worker or anyone else they believe may have important information about you. Your GAL can also obtain information from other persons or agencies, just like an attorney might.

If your GAL is not an attorney, they will have to consult an attorney if you have a question or concern that is a legal matter. Your GAL and you have a confidential relationship just like you would have with an attorney.

If you have a GAL you probably know how to contact them. You have the responsibility to contact them to tell them your needs and preferences. If you do not know whether you have a GAL or who the GAL is, you need to ask your DSS worker, your foster parents, or the court for that information.

3. The Right and Responsibility To
    Continued Familial Relationships
 The North Carolina General Statute relating to handling of cases for youths who are abused, neglected or dependent states as its purpose:

  • 7B-100(4)
    To provide standards for the removal, when necessary, of juveniles from their homes and for the return of juveniles to
    their homes consistent with preventing the unnecessary or inappropriate separation of juveniles from their parents.

  • 7B-900
    If possible, the initial approach should involve working with the juvenile and the juvenile's family in their own home so that the appropriate community resources may be involved in care, supervision, and treatment according to the needs of the juvenile.

If protective services have determined that you cannot stay safely in your parent’s home, you will likely be placed in non-secure (unlocked residential home) custody. By statute(9) the first option for DSS is to consider whether you have a relative who is willing and able to provide proper care and supervision in a safe home. If the court finds that a relative is willing and able to provide proper care and supervision in a safe home, then the court shall order your placement with the relative.  If the court finds that placement with the relative would be contrary to your best interests, another placement will be found.

If you do not have such a relative and you are placed in foster care, both North Carolina Law and Federal Law require DSS to try to provide services to your family, if reunification is to be an option. The goal in reunification is to return you to a safe home and to prevent any future need for protective services.  A plan for reunification will be implemented while you remain in foster care.

This means that a Family Services Case Plan or Individual Child Services Case Plan will be developed by DSS which explains what conditions caused you to be removed from your home and what it will take for you to be returned.  You have a right to be told when you will be able to see your parents or your sisters or brothers.  Be sure to let people know you want to see your siblings.

If reunification is not an option, the Federal and NC State Law require that you be placed in the "least restrictive, most family-like" setting, and within close proximity to your family or relatives. 

Your case plan must be periodically reviewed to make sure it is still a good plan.(10)

4. The Right and Responsibility To
    Proper and Fair Treatment
The State of North Carolina has regulations(11) that tell the County Departments of Social Services how you are to be treated while in foster care. Those regulations state that:

The foster parents shall ensure that each child:
a.  has clothing to wear that is appropriate to the weather;
b.  is allowed to have personal property;
c.  is encouraged to express opinions on issues concerning care;
d.  is provided care in a manner that recognizes variations in
     cultural values and traditions;
e. is provided the opportunity for spiritual development and is
    not denied the right to practice religious beliefs;
f.  is not identified in connection with the agency in any way
     that would bring the child or the child's family embarrassment;
g.  is not forced to acknowledge dependency on or gratitude to
     the foster parents;
h.  is encouraged to contact and have telephone conversations 
     with family members, when not contraindicated in the
     child's treatment or service plan;
i.  is provided training and discipline that is appropriate for
     the child's age, intelligence, emotional makeup and past
     experience;
j.  is not subjected to cruel, severe, or unusual punishment;
k.  is not subjected to corporal punishment;
l.  is not deprived of a meal or contacts with family for
     punishment or placed in isolation time-out except when
     isolation time-out means the removal of a child to a
     separate unlocked room or area from which the child is
     not physically prevented from leaving. The foster parent
     may use isolation time-out as a behavioral control measure
     when the foster parent provides it within hearing distance
     and sight of another foster parent. The length of time alone
     shall be appropriate to the child's age and development;
m. is not subjected to verbal abuse, threats, or humiliating
      remarks about himself or his family;
n.  is provided a daily routine in the home that promotes
     good mental health and provides an opportunity for normal
     activities with time for rest and play;
o.  is provided training in good health habits, including proper
     eating, frequent bathing and good grooming. Each child
     shall be provided food with appropriate nutritional content
     for normal growth and health.  Any special diets
     recommended by a physician must be provided;
p.  is provided medical care in accordance with the treatment
     prescribed for the child;
q.  is of mandatory school age maintains regular school
     attendance unless the child has been officially excused by
     the proper authorities;
r.  is encouraged to participate in neighborhood and group
     activities, to have friends visit the home and to visit in
     the homes of friends;
s.  assumes some responsibility for himself and household
     duties in accordance with his age, health and ability.
     Household tasks shall not interfere with school, sleep, play
     or study periods;
t.  is not permitted to do any task which is in violation of
    child labor laws or not appropriate for a child of that age;
u.  is provided supervision in accordance with the child's age,
     intelligence, emotional makeup and past experience; and
v.  if less than six years of age, is properly secured in a child
     passenger restraint system which is of a type and which is
     installed in a manner approved by the Commissioner of
     Motor Vehicles.

5. The Right and Responsibility To
    Proper Physical/Mental Health Care
When you come into foster care, you may have medical needs as well as psychological needs for which you require treatment. Your DSS social worker will evaluate what services you need and whether or not you have a "disability" for which you need special accommodations, diet or other services.

Under the Medicaid services for which you are generally eligible, as a foster child, your DSS social worker will ordinarily arrange for these services to be provided to you. If you believe you have medical or mental health needs and are not receiving services, you may want to discuss this with your foster parents or social worker. If you are not satisfied with the results of those discussions, you can also contact our office to assist you in advocating for services for which you may be eligible.

If you are leaving foster care and are returning home, you may also qualify for Medicaid services. If you are returning to your family, depending on your parent’s income and other eligibility criteria, you may be able to receive Medicaid benefits under the Family & Children’s Medicaid guidelines established by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

If you are 18 years of age and on your own, you may also be able to receive medical and mental health services through Medicaid. The Foster Care Independence Act(12) passed by the Federal Government in December of 1999 allowed States to provide optional Medicaid coverage to "independent foster care adolescents" according to eligibility standards that they could determine. North Carolina has elected to make this coverage available to youths who remain in foster care through their 18th birthday. If a youth meets income eligibility guidelines, they can receive Medicaid benefits until age 21.

If you left foster care after turning 18, you need to contact your local Social Security Administration office to see if you qualify for Medicaid services.

6. The Right and Responsibility To
    Educational Services
Whether you are a foster child or living with your parents, the Federal law guarantees all children with disabilities a "free and appropriate public education." In 1990, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) required school systems to design Individualized Education Programs (IEP) for each child diagnosed with a disability that was interfering with their success in school.

A disability can include:

  • mental retardation;
  • hearing impairments (including deafness);
  • speech or language impairments;
  • visual impairments (including blindness);
  • serious emotional disturbance;
  • orthopedic impairments;
  • autism;
  • traumatic brain injury
  • other health impairments; and
  • specific learning disabilities.

The school system is required to test all children who may be suspected of having a disability and to provide them with the services needed.

If you believe you are having difficulty in school even though you are trying your best to do well, ask your social worker, foster parent or school counselors about testing your for a disability. You have a right to receive the services you need.

If you have been diagnosed with a learning disability and have an IEP in place, you will be able to continue to be eligible to receive educational services in the public school system until you are 21 years of age.

7. The Right and Responsibility To
    Transitional Services
On December 14, 1999 President Clinton signed the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act.  This is a very important law for you if you will be aging out of foster care. You will not be abandoned and totally on your own as foster children have been in years past. This law recognizes the need for teens to have continued financial, medical and emotional support when they begin to start taking care of themselves.

North Carolina has agreed to participate with the Federal Government and offer its youth independent living skills training under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act. By participating, North Carolina will receive Federal money in order to assist its youths. North Carolina has indicated their intent to:

  • Help youth make the transition to self-sufficiency
  • Help youth receive the education, training and services necessary to obtain employment
  • Help youth prepare for and enter post-secondary training and education institutions
  • Provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education and other support services to youths between 18 and 21

For Youths, age 16 through 21, participation means learning skills such as how to budget, how to find and keep a job, and how to get and maintain an apartment.

It also means you will be eligible for scholarships and/or funding for vocational training. The NC State Department of Social Services is also working with the Division of Community Colleges in an effort to get tuition assistance for former foster youths. There are Federal Financial Aid Programs, such as the Pell Grant, which will also provide you with money for college.

If you were in foster care on your 18th birthday, by continuing to participate with the foster care program through age 21, you will also likely be eligible for continued medical coverage under the North Carolina State Medicaid Program. Eligibility that might normally end at age 18 can continue until you are 21, depending on factors such as your income level, your participation in continuing education or whether or not you have a disability which might qualify you for Supplemental Security Income. Your local Social Security Administration will be able to advise you on whether or not you qualify for continued Medicaid coverage.

If you are 16 or older, contact your social worker and tell him/her you want to begin participating in programs available to you in your County. You can also contact your local SAYSO (Strong Able Youth Speaking Out) organization to gain information about training programs in your area or of interest to you. You can even go directly to the State coordinator at the Links Program Office if you are unsuccessful at the local level.

8. The Right and Responsibility To
    Voice Your Complaints of Violations
If you are a foster child and you believe any of your rights have been violated you have the responsibility to notify the appropriate persons or authorities to stop the violation.

There are several people with whom you interact that you can talk to.  Some very good people to talk to include:

    Your DSS Social Worker
    Your Social Worker’s Supervisor
    Your Foster Parents
    Your Guardian ad Litem (if one was appointed to represent you)
    Your Parents (if appropriate)
    Your Teachers, Guidance Counselors or Principal
    The Judge at each of your review hearings (remember you
       have a right and responsibility to attend and be heard). 
    Members of your church or community
    Public Safety Officers and Firemen
    Legal Aid of NC–Advocates for Children’s Services project staff.

Learn now who these people are. Keep a telephone and address list for them. Then, if you need to contact them, you will know who to contact and how to reach them.

Contacts

Here are a few Internet sites we have found that you may want to access.  These sites can help you contact us, contact SAYSO, and to gain easy access to lots of other useful links for foster children.

 

 References

(1)   In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1, 13, 26 (1967).
(2)   Planned Parenthood v. Danforth, 428 U.S. 52, 74 (!976).
(3)   Tinker V. Des Moines Community School Dist.,
          393 U.S. 503, 51 (1969).
(4)   Dobson v. Harris and J.C. Penny, Inc.,
          352 N.C. 77 at 80, 530 S.E.2d 829 (2000)
          (emphasis added).
(5)   Public Law 105-89 which amends sections of the
          Adoptions Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980,
          P.L. 96-272.
(6)   N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B; 10 N.C.A.C. 41F and the North
          Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
          Manual, Chapter IV, Section 1201.
(7)   N.C.G.S. § 7B-600(3).
(8)   N.C.G.S. § 7B-1108(b).
(9)   N.C.G.S. §7B-505.
(10) N.C. Department of health & Human Services
          Manual Ch.IV, Sec. 1201.
(11) 10 N.C.A.C. 41F .071.
(12) Foster Care Independence Act § 121(a), 113 State.
          1829, amending 42 U.S.C. § 1396(a)(10)(A)(ii).

This information prepared by:
Advocates for Children's Services
(A special Statewide project of Legal Aid of North Carolina)
201 West Main Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27702
919-226-0051
E-mail: ACSinfo@legalaidnc.org · Website: www.legalaidnc.org

 

 

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Disclaimer

The materials contained on this website are for information and educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Please contact your Legal Aid of North Carolina office or a private attorney if you need to speak to an attorney regarding your particular situation. See our complete disclaimer.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity.

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