Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 1985-5
On order of the Court, the Juvenile Court Standards and Administrative Guide-lines for the Care of Children as recommended by the Michigan Probate and Juvenile Court Judges Association are adopted effective May 1, 1985, expiring May 1, 1987.
The State Court Administrative Office is to assess the effect of these standards on the Juvenile Court and provide a report to the Supreme Court by December 30, 1986.
[Modification entered April 29,1988, Administrative Order No. 1988-3, 430 Mich xcix.]
Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 1985-5, this Court adopted the Juvenile Court Standards and Administrative Guidelines for the Care of Children, the standards to take effect on May 1, 1985, and to expire on May 1, 1988. We now order that the Juvenile Court Standards and Administrative Guidelines continue in effect, as modified below, until the further order of this Court:
I. Court administrators, supervisory personnel, county juvenile officers, probation officers, caseworkers, and personnel of court-operated child care facilities shall meet the following minimum standards in order to qualify for employment. Desired standards are those preferred qualifications that extend beyond minimal standards but are not required to perform the job function.
These standards shall apply only to new staff hired by the juvenile court on or after the effective date of these standards. A court employee who is currently in a position that was approved under regulations that preceded the implementation of these standards shall be deemed qualified for that position. A court-appointed person hired subsequent to the effective date of these standards shall meet the minimum qualification of these standards for that position.
A.Court Administrator/Director
The person in the juvenile court who is directly responsible to the chief or presiding probate judge and who is delegated administrative responsibilities for the operation of the court.
A court administrator, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience:
a. Desired Standards:
(1) Master's degree in social sciences, business or public administration, education, criminal justice or law degree with a minimum of four years of supervisory experience with juvenile court staff.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) Master's degree in social sciences, business or public administration, education, criminal justice or law degree with a minimum of one year of experience working with juvenile court staff or related human service field.
(2) A bachelor's degree in those same areas and two years of supervisory experience working with juvenile court staff or related human services field. (Courts with only one level of supervision may use two years of casework experience in lieu of supervisory experience.)
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and overall children's services programs.
(2) Knowledge of supervisory responsibilities and techniques.
(3) Knowledge of the principles of administrative management.
(4) Knowledge of programs and services provided by governmental agencies and the private sector.
(5) Knowledge of the principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving.
(6) [spn]Knowledge of the factors concerned in delinquency, neglect and abuse of children.
(7) Knowledge of labor relations and personnel practices.
(8) Ability to develop budgetary matters.
(9) Ability to organize, direct and monitor service delivery work units and coordinate activities with other sections or agencies.
(10) Ability to supervise professional and support staff, evaluate staff performance and assist in staff training.
(11) Ability to develop policy and procedural materials and funding proposals.
(12) Ability to analyze program data and recommend policy and procedural changes and program objectives.
(13) Ability to interpret and effectively communicate administrative and professional policies and procedures to staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, advisory committees and the public.
(14) Ability to speak and write effectively.
B.Supervisory Personnel
Those directly responsible for ongoing supervision of professional and support staff providing direct services to children, youth and their families.
A supervisor, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience
a. Desired Standards
(1) Master's degree in social work or human service field with one year of professional experience in juvenile court work.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) A bachelor's degree in social sciences or human service field with two years of professional experience with a juvenile court staff or in a child welfare agency.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of supervisory responsibilities and techniques.
(2) Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of child welfare work.
(3) Knowledge of family dynamics and the effects of social conditions on family functioning.
(4) Knowledge of factors concerned in delinquency, abuse and neglect of children.
(5) Knowledge of principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving.
(6) Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and overall children's services programs including related laws.
(7) Knowledge of labor relations and personnel practices.
(8) Knowledge of organizations, functions and treatment programs for children.
(9) Ability to supervise professional and support staff, evaluate staff performance and assist in staff training.
(10) Ability to speak and write effectively.
(11) Ability to develop child welfare programs with community organizations.
(12) Ability to apply social casework methods to child welfare services.
(13) Ability to interpret and effectively communicate administrative and professional policies and procedures to staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, advisory committees and the public.
C. Direct Services: Probation Officers/Casework Staff
The professional staff who work directly with children and their families and other relevant individuals and who are primarily responsible for the development, implementation and review of plans for children, youth and their families.
Each county shall provide for a minimum of one delinquency probation officer/casework staff person (but exclusive of clinical staff and detention home personnel) for every 6,000 (or major fraction thereof) children under 19 years of age in the county.
A probation officer/caseworker, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience
a. Desired Standards
(1) Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, or behavioral sciences with two years of casework experience in juvenile court or a related child welfare agency and must complete the Michigan Judicial Institute certification training for juvenile court staff within two years after date of employment.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) Bachelor's degree in social sciences or a related human service field and must complete the Michigan Judicial Institute certification training for juvenile court staff within two years after date of employment.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of the principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving.
(2) Knowledge of factors concerned in delinquency, neglect and abuse of children.
(3) Knowledge of family dynamics and the effects of social conditions on family functioning.
(4) Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and children's services programs.
(5) Knowledge of the principles, procedures and techniques of child welfare work.
(6) Ability to apply social casework methods to child welfare services.
(7) Ability to develop child welfare programs with community organizations.
(8) Ability to relate effectively to the public and individuals on their caseload.
(9) Ability to speak and write effectively.
D.Administrator of County Child Care Facility
The person responsible to the chief or presiding probate judge or to the juvenile court administrator and to whom is delegated overall administrative responsibility for the day-to-day operation of county child care facilities operated by the court.
The administrator, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience
a. Desired Standards
(1) Master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, guidance and counseling, education, business administration, criminal justice, or public administration and two years of supervisory experience in a juvenile court, public or private child care facility.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) Same as above with a minimum of one year of supervisory experience in a juvenile court, public or private child care facility.
(2) Bachelor's degree in social science or human service field and two years of experience in a juvenile court, public or private child care facility.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of supervisory responsibilities and techniques.
(2) Knowledge of principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving.
(3) Knowledge of factors concerned in delinquency, neglect and abuse of children.
(4) Knowledge of family dynamics and effects of social conditions on family functioning.
(5) Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and children's services programs.
(6) Knowledge of child welfare organizations, functions and treatment programs relevant to residential care of children.
(7) Knowledge of group treatment modalities.
(8) Knowledge of labor relations, personnel policies and practices.
(9) Ability to organize, direct and monitor service delivery work units and coordinate activities with other sections or agencies.
(10) Ability to direct, monitor and coordinate several functions of a residential program.
(11) Ability to supervise professional and support staff, evaluate staff performance, and assist in staff training.
(12) Ability to analyze program data and recommend policy and procedural changes and program objectives.
(13) Ability to analyze personal and social data and apply rehabilitative principles within the facility.
(14) Ability to interpret and effectively communicate administrative and professional policies and procedures to staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, advisory committees, and the public.
(15) Ability to speak and write effectively.
E.Child Care Staff Supervisor
The child care supervisor is directly responsible for supervision of child care workers in the facility.
The child care supervisor, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience
a. Desired Standards
(1) Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or related human service field with two years of experience with a juvenile court or a public or private child care agency.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) Two years of college in a human service field and two years of work experience in a child care institution.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of supervisory responsibilities and techniques.
(2) Knowledge of the principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving.
(3) Knowledge of factors concerned in delinquency, abuse and neglect of children.
(4) Knowledge of family dynamics and the effects of social conditions on family functioning.
(5) Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and children's services.
(6) Knowledge of group treatment modalities.
(7) Ability to supervise staff, evaluate staff performance and assist in staff training activities.
(8) Ability to analyze personal and social data and apply rehabilitation principles in a practice setting.
(9) Ability to interpret administrative and professional policies and procedures to staff.
(10) Ability to apply social casework methods to child welfare activity.
(11) Ability to speak and write effectively.
(12) Basic knowledge of first aid and cpr training.
(13) Knowledge of labor relations and personnel practices.
F.Child Care Worker
The person who provides direct care of children in the facility.
A child care worker, at the time of appointment, shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Education and Experience
a. Desired Standards
(1) Bachelor's degree in social sciences or human service related field.
b. Minimum Standards
(1) A high school diploma or its equivalent.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
(1) Knowledge of appropriate conduct and manners.
(2) Knowledge of potential facility management problems including behavior problems, food services.
(3) Knowledge of potential behavior problems of children and youth.
(4) Ability to provide role model for residents.
(5) Ability to gain the respect, confidence and cooperation of children and youth.
(6) Ability to teach children personal hygiene, proper conduct and household work.
(7) Ability to understand and relate to problem children in a positive manner.
(8) Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written directions.
(9) Basic knowledge of first aid and cpr training within six months after date of employment.
G. Exceptions
The state court administrator may authorize a court to hire an employee who does not meet the educational requirements established in these standards if the court provides a reasonable period within which the candidate must meet the educational standards.
H. A bachelor's degree or other post-secondary degree is a degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting body of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
II. Contents of Juvenile Court Case Records
A.Purpose
A complete case record serves a range of purposes including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Provides an information base for planning and the delivery of services to a youth and family.
2. Provides documentation from which the worker can make appropriate recommendations for placement and services.
3. Provides an information base to assist in transfer of cases between workers and agencies.
B.Case Record Contents for Youth Under Court Jurisdiction Placed in Their Own Home
A separate case record shall be maintained for each youth or family under court supervision. Records shall be maintained in a uniform and organized manner and shall be protected against destruction (except as provided by court rule) and damage and shall be stored in a manner that safeguards confidentiality.
1. Records shall be typed or legibly handwritten and shall include as a minimum the following:
a. A report of the original complaint and/or petition and an appropriate social study.
b. Copies of orders of the court regarding the child and family.
c. Individual case plans with time frames where appropriate.
d. Youth record fact sheet containing the following information: child's full name; date and place of birth; sex; religion of parents and child; parents' full names including mother's maiden name; address, dates and place of marriage or divorce; if deceased, date, place and cause of death; names, addresses and birth dates of other children in the family; names and addresses of near relatives; appropriate medical records.
e. Dates of casework visits or contact with child and family. Summary reports of child's progress under care, completed at least semiannually.
f. School reports, including grades, progress reports, and social and psychological reports if available and appropriate.
g. Reports of psychological tests or psychiatric examinations and follow-up treatment, if available.
h. Family financial report where appropriate.
i. Discharge summary and order for discharge.
j. Correspondence.
C.Case Record Contents for Youth Under Court Jurisdiction in Out-of-Home Placement
Case records for youth in out-of-home placements shall include the same items as indicated for youth placed in their own home with the following additions:
1. Individual case plans shall, where appropriate, include:
a. Description of type and appropriateness of the placement.
b. Action steps and goals expected to be accomplished by the agency.
c. Action steps and goals expected to be accomplished by the parents.
d. Action steps and goals expected to be accomplished by the child.
e. Action steps and goals expected to be accomplished by the court worker.
f. Plan for assuring proper care (supervision; review).
g. Plan for regular and frequent visitation between child and parents unless such visits, even if supervised, would not be in the best interest of the child.
h. Time frames for accomplishing elements of the case plan.
2. Record of youth's placements. Name of place, beginning and ending dates of residence.
3. Documentation of emergency medical care authorization.
4. Health record, which includes:
a. Medical history.
b. Documentation of current and prior immunizations.
c. Dental information.
5. Medicaid approval.
6. Governmental benefits and parental support information.
7. Foster care termination summary or residential agency summary.
Mich. Admin. Ord. Administrative Order No. 1985-5