DCFS Glossary
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H

Hard Copy

Paper copy of a document.

Health Care Case Management

A critical component of CSW case management in which the responsibilities for locating, coordinating and monitoring necessary and appropriate health care services for a DCFS-supervised child rest with that child’s CSW. PHNs and Multidisciplinary Assessment and Service Hub (Hub) personnel may assist CSWs in meeting these responsibilities.

Health Care Provider

An individual or agency that provides professional medical, dental or mental health services.

Health Care Services

See "Family Preservation Program."

Health and Education Passport

A document that is generated on CWS/CMS that contains a summary of a child’s health and education information. The caregiver keeps a current copy of the Passport, along with the health and education forms in a binder provided by DCFS. This binder shall follow the child to all placements. The Passport shall accompany the child to all medical, dental and educational appointments. The Passport binder in its entirety is given to the child upon emancipation.

Healthy Start Liaison

See "Healthy Start Support Services for Children Act."

Healthy Start Support Services for Children Act

Senate Bill 620 (Chapter 759, Statutes of 1991) established Healthy Start the intent of which is to bring together DCFS with public and private human service agencies and school districts to focus their collaborative efforts on the needs of children, youth and families in schools.

 

 

 

 

Hearings
    1. Adjudication Hearing

The hearing which occurs as the result of the parents or guardians entering a denial of the allegations in the petition. At any adjudication hearing, testimony and other evidence is presented to substantiate or refute the allegations made by DCFS in the petition. An adjudication hearing is also known as a trial or Jurisdictional Hearing. The court may order a jurisdictional (see definition) report for the adjudication hearing. The prepare of the report may be called to testify at the adjudication hearing.
    1. Appearance Hearing

A hearing at which parties to the action are served with a notice advising them that a hearing will be held and advising them of the right to be present.
    1. Arraignment/Detention Hearing

The initial hearing in the in Dependency court following the filing of a petition. It is at this hearing that parents and/or guardians are apprised of their rights, issued a copy of the petition and appointed an attorney if they do not have one and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) may enter a plea to the petition. At this hearing, the court makes a determination whether the child will return home or remain in temporary out-of-home care.
    1. Contested Hearing

A hearing in which one or more parties, e.g., parent(s), legal guardian(s) or child, to a case, litigates the recommendation of the CSW. Any dependency court hearing can be set for a contest. The court renders a decision based on the evidence, testimony, and the material presented in the CSW’s report. The preparer of the report may be asked to be available to testify as to the content of the report.
    1. Default Hearing

      A hearing occurring when the parents/guardians fail to appear at the detention, pre-resolution conference, or adjudication hearings. Assuming notice is proper, the Court can take jurisdiction at any one of these hearings, using the Jurisdictional/Disposition report as supporting evidence when such has been ordered.

    2. Disposition Hearing

A hearing held to determine whether or not the court shall declare the child a dependent child of the court and, if so, where the child will live during the period of supervision. This usually occurs following an adjudication hearing and requires the receipt of a disposition report. If the petition language is determined at the jurisdictional hearing and adjudication has occurred, the Jurisdictional report may be used as the Disposition report. In Los Angeles County, this hearing is almost always combined with the Jurisdictional Hearing.

 

Note: Pursuant to WIC Section 361.5(b), DCFS is allowed to argue for non-reunification. The CSW prepares the disposition report (see "Reports") in the normal manner, recommending whether or not reunification services need to be provided citing whether specific criteria has been met (when recommending non-reunification under WIC Section 361.5).
    1. Jurisdictional Hearing (also known as Adjudication Hearing)

The court considers the presentation of facts it receives into evidence and makes a finding, as to whether the allegations in the petition are true, thereby allowing the child to come under WIC 300. In Los Angeles County, this hearing is almost always combined with the disposition hearing.
    1. Permanency Planning Hearing

See "Status Review Hearing, WIC Section 366.21(f)."
    1. Status Review Hearing

Pursuant to WIC Sections 364, 366, 366.21(e), 366.21(f), and 366.22, a hearing conducted by the Dependency court reviewing the status of a dependent child of the court. A review is conducted of every dependent child’s status, and occurs periodically as determined by the court, but no less frequently than once every six months, as calculated from the date of the dispositional hearing. See "reports."
    1. WIC Section 364: A review hearing in which the child is placed under the supervision of the dependency court pursuant to Section 300, and is not removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or legal guardian. The review hearing shall not exceed six months after the date of the original dispositional hearing. The court will consider the necessity of continued jurisdiction.
    2. WIC Section 366: A review of a dependent child in foster care reviewed periodically as determined by the court but no less frequently than every six months as calculated from the date of the original dipositional hearing until the WIC Section 366.26 hearing is completed.
    3. WIC Section 366.21(e): A review hearing held six months after the initial dispositional hearing. The court shall order the return of the child to the physical custody of his or her parent /legal guardian unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that return of the child would be detrimental to the child’s physical and emotional health and safety.
    4. WIC Section 366.21(f): Also known as the "Permanency Planning Hearing," shall be held no later than 12 months from the date of the dispositional hearing at which the child was removed from the care of a parent(s) or guardian(s). The court will determine if a child in out-of-home care is able to return to the home of his or her parent(s) or guardian(s), or whether the court shall order a permanent plan for the child in order to provide him/her with a stable and permanent home.

 

 

    1. WIC Section 366.22: Also known as the "Permanency Review Hearing," shall occur within 18 months after the date the child was removed from the physical custody of his or her parent or legal guardian. The court shall order the return of the child to the parent or legal guardian unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that return of the child would be detrimental to the child’s physical and emotional health and safety. If the child is not returned to a parent or legal guardian, the court will terminate family reunification services and order a hearing be held pursuant to WIC Section 366.26 to determine whether adoption, guardianship, or long-term foster care is the most appropriate plan for the child.
    2. WIC Section 366.3: This hearing is also referred to as a Review of Permanent Plan (RPP). At this hearing the court considers the effectiveness and continued need of the current permanent plan. If the court orders a permanent plan of adoption or legal guardianship, the status of the child is reviewed every six months to ensure that the adoption or guardianship is completed as expeditiously as possible. The status of children in foster care is also reviewed every six months. If adoption is not the identified permanent plan an assessment of adoptability must be completed and included in the court report every 12 months.
    1. WIC 321 Rehearing

A hearing held when the court orders the child detained, and the child, a parent/guardian, child’s attorney, or guardian ad litem requests further evidence of a prima facie case or the ground for detention of the child by asserting his or her right to confront and to cross examine the preparer of reports relied on by the court in its initial decision. The court is required to set the hearing within 3 court days. If facts are not presented to the court which establish a prima facie case, the child must be released from detention. In lieu of a requested rehearing, the court may set the matter for trial within 10 days. Grounds for a rehearing under WIC 321 are: 1) When the parent or legal guardian are not notified of the initial detention hearing; 2) On the request for further evidence (prima facie evidence of the grounds for detention). This hearing was formerly referred to as a Dennis H. hearing.
    1. WIC Section 366.26
      2.

A hearing will be held no later than 120 days from the date of the Permanency Review Hearing. The purpose of a WIC Section 366.26 hearing is to identify and implement a permanent plan for a dependent child of the court (effective 01/01/1999, including children declared dependents prior to January 1, 1989). At this hearing, the court will review the 366.26 Hearing Report prepared by the CSW and receive evidence that other parties may present. The court will then make findings and orders in the following order of preference:

    1. permanently terminate the rights of the parent or parents and order that the child be placed for adoption; or,
    1. without permanently terminating parental rights, identify adoption as the goal and order that efforts be made to locate an appropriate adoptive family for the child within a period not to exceed 180 days; or,
    2. appoint a legal guardian and issue letters of guardianship; or,

    3. order that the child be placed in long-term foster care, subject to the periodic review of the court under WIC 366.3.

The WIC 366.26 hearing is calendared within 120 days from a disposition hearing at which the court ordered no Family Reunification services or from a status review hearing at which the court ordered the termination of Family Reunification (FR) services.

High Profile Referral/Case

See "Sealed Referral."

High-Risk Child

See "Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program and "At-Risk/High-Risk Children."

HIV

See "Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)."

HIV-Infected

The entire spectrum of HIV infection, from asymptomatic HIV-infection to AIDS.

HIV-Positive Person

One who has tested positive for HIV through detection of the virus or its antibodies. Some people are HIV-positive but asympotmatic.

Home Evaluation

In the context of child placement, an evaluation of the home of a relative or non-licensed non-relative for placement purposes. The evaluation will determine whether the home is suitable, safe, and able to meet licensing standards. Part of the evaluation process includes an interview of all adults living in the home and required clearances.

Home of Removal

See "Youakim."

Home Visitors - Health and Mental Health

See "Hub Services: King/Drew Medical Center."

Hospital Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Team [PC 11167.5(b)(7)]

A hospital based child protection team whose staff includes representative from medical, social work, child welfare and law enforcement disciplines. The SCAN Team members convene to identify child abuse and assess a variety of issues including: medical evaluation, extent of trauma and diagnostic and treatment needs.

Host County

The county that provides courtesy supervision for a child residing with a relative or in foster care placement whose legal jurisdiction is in another California County.

Host County Rate

When a child is placed in a family home located in a different county than the county with payment responsibility, the county with payment responsibility shall pay the basic rate of the host county.

Housing Services

See "Family Preservation Program."

Hub

See "Hub Services: King/Drew Medical Center (KDMC)."

 

Hub Health Care Case Management

See "Hub Services: King/Drew Medical Center (KDMC)."

Hub Services: King/Drew Medical Center (KDMC)

Multidisciplinary Assessments and Services Hub at KDMC, an acute, general community teaching hospital in Los Angeles County. KDMC is a short-term care facility and Level I Trauma Center. The term "Hub" is conceptualized as the connecting anchoring piece in the delivery of services to children and their families. Other spheres connecting to the Hub include:

    1. Anticipatory Guidance and Support

      Information and techniques provided to out-of-home caregivers designed to help them adapt and respond better to their foster children’s behavior and needs. Out-of-home caregivers "anticipate" problematic situations and are taught more constructive ways of responding to them.

    2. Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program

      See "Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program."

    3. CHDP Informing

      See "Informing" under "Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program."

    4. Child Health Plan

      See "Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program."

    5. Comprehensive Health Assessment

      A thorough, integrated evaluation by the Hub of the physical, emotional, developmental, cognitive, relational, and educational functioning and services needs of a child. This assessment serves as the basis for the child health care plan.

    6. Hub

      Short for "Multidisciplinary Assessment and Service Hub" (see definition).

    7. Hub Health Care Case Management

      The provision of health care guidance and resource referrals by Hub personnel on behalf of children receiving comprehensive medical, developmental and mental health assessments at the Hub.

    8. Multidisciplinary Assessment and Service Hub (Hub)

      The cornerstone of and entry point to the Protective Services Child Health (PSCH) system and the focal point for a community-based Provider Network. The KDMC Hub will provide timely, comprehensive medical, developmental and psychological assessments, as well as on-site preventive health services to children in out-of-home care. In addition, the Hub will assist in the development of a comprehensive child health plan for each child, provide referrals for follow-up care and conduct provider outreach.

    9. Multidisciplinary Assessment Team

      A group of health care providers and other professionals, including physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, clinical social worker, licensed vocational nurses, pediatric nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, and home visitor housed at the Hub who will jointly assess and develop a child health plan for each referred child (in conjunction with the CSW, a PHN, and, as appropriate, the child’s primary caregivers).

    10. Post-Assessment Conference

      Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Assessment Team, a PHN, CSW (as his or her schedule permits), and primary caregivers (as appropriate) at the conclusion of the day’s assessment sessions, during which the information gathered on each child is reviewed and a child health plan is developed.

    11. Pre-Assessment Conference

      Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Assessment Team prior to the actual assessments to review available background information on the children to be assessed that day and to devise an assessment strategy for each child, as needed.

    12. Primary Health Care Provider

      Health care professional responsible for the ongoing care of a child.

    13. Protective Services Child Health (PSCH) System

      An innovative health care delivery system developed jointly by DCFS, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Health Services, as well as various private health care providers, foster parents, relative caregivers, and children’s advocates to ensure that abused and neglected children under DCFS supervision receive timely, appropriate, comprehensive and coordinated health and mental health assessment and treatment, in keeping with a holistic approach to child welfare services. The cornerstone of the PSCH System is the Hub.

    14. Provider Network

An organized network of community-based clinical providers, including primary and specialty providers, capable of and willing to care for DCFS children.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

The virus which causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This name replaced earlier terminology, e.g., ARV (AIDS-Associated Retrovirus), LAV (Lymphodenopathy-Associated Virus) and HTLV-III (Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus, Type III).