Child Custody Disputes

POLICY:

NOCAC Child Development will respect and follow any legal documents where child custody is involved.

PROCEDURES:

1. Determining legal custody of a NOCAC Child Development participant:
   1. In the case where the biological parents are not married or live in the same home:
      1. The parent who has legal custody of the child must provide legal court documents.  Documents must include:
         1. Participants name
         2. Date
         3. Court File Stamp
         4. Who has legal custody
         5. Schedule of visitation
            1. For example: Mom has full custody, Dad has visitation every other weekend starting on Friday at 3:00pm through Sunday at 5:00pm.
   2. In the case where the legal guardian is not eh biological parent, such as Kinship or Foster, the Family Advocate will work with the legal guardian to obtain proper documentation of custody that could include:
      1. Court documents stating temporary or permanent custody
      2. A state agency approved guardian or caregiver document
         1. All documents must include:
            1. Dates
            2. Names of child and person who has legal custody
      3. Lack of documentation will not be a barrier to enrollment.
2. NOCAC Child Development Staff cannot and will not prevent a noncustodial parent from visiting their child at the center.
3. NOCAC Child Development Staff will not allow for a child to leave with a noncustodial parent without prior custodial parent permission.
4. Refer to NOCAC Child Development’s Open Door Policy.
5. NOCAC Child Development will respect and honor any active court ordered no contact order.
   1. Custodial parent/legal guardian must provide the court ordered no contact order.
   2. NOCAC Child Development Staff will ask for a picture of the parent who the order is against.  The Staff will attach the picture to the order and share the information with all Staff at the Head Start Center.
   3. NOCAC Child Development Staff and the custodial parent will discuss a plan if the noncustodial would show up at the center.
   4. If a noncustodial parent comes to the center and there is an active no contact order NOCAC Child Development Staff will:
      1. Call the police
      2. Remove the child from the center as long as that will keep the child safe
      3. Call the custodial parent
6. NOCAC Child Development Staff will:
   1. Introduce themselves to the noncustodial parents.
   2. Ensure that noncustodial parents are included in program events such as:
      1. Parent/teacher conferences
      2. Child development planning
      3. Family fun nights
      4. Picnics
      5. Home visits
   3. When a noncustodial parent cannot be present NOCAC Child Development Staff will make sure they are provided information through:
      1. Mail
      2. Class Dojo
      3. Facebook
      4. Remind
      5. Phone calls
   4. NOCAC Child Development Staff will make sure the noncustodial parent is provided family services along with any resources and referrals.
7. NOCAC Child Development will keep all custody issues confidential.

Forms and Additional Guidance: