Rule 3 - Family Court Proceedings(a) Consolidation of related family matters. The judicial officer may, upon the motion of any party or upon his or her own motion, consolidate a neglect and abuse action with other cases before the Family Court relating to the child or members of the same family or household, including juvenile, neglect, abuse, domestic violence, domestic relations, custody, visitation, support, adoption, termination of parental rights, paternity, mental health and mental retardation cases. Upon consolidation, copies of the order of consolidation shall be filed in each case so consolidated; however, all other papers filed in an adoption case shall be maintained only in the adoption case file.(b) Effect of juvenile proceedings on neglect case. The existence of a juvenile proceeding against a child who is the subject of a neglect proceeding need not affect the status of the child in the neglect case, nor shall it be the sole basis for the termination of the neglect proceeding.COMMENT
The Child and Family Services Agency has responsibility for screening guidelines.