237.24 Court appointed special advocates.

376 words·~2 min read·/ia/chapter-237-child-foster-care-facilities/237-24·

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

1. A court appointed special advocate shall receive notice of all depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings in a matter to which the court appointed special advocate is appointed.

2. The duties of a court appointed special advocate with respect to a child, unless otherwise enlarged or circumscribed by a court or juvenile court with jurisdiction over the child after a finding of good cause, shall include all of the following:

a. Conducting in-person interviews with the child every thirty days, if the child’s age is appropriate for the interview, and interviewing each parent, guardian, or other person having custody of the child as needed, if authorized by counsel.

b. Visiting the home, residence, or both home and residence of the child and any prospective home or residence of the child, including each time placement is changed.

c. Interviewing any person providing medical, mental health, social, educational, or other services to the child.

d. Obtaining firsthand knowledge, if possible, of the facts, circumstances, and parties involved in the matter in which the court appointed special advocate is appointed.

e. Attending any depositions, hearings, and trial proceedings in a matter to which the court appointed special advocate is appointed for the purpose of supporting the child and advocating for the child’s protection.

f. Assisting the transition committee in the development of a transition plan if the child’s case permanency plan calls for the development of a transition plan.

(1)Submitting a written report to the juvenile court and to each of the parties identified in section 237.21, subsection 4, prior to each court hearing unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(2)The report shall include but not be limited to the identified strengths of the child and the child’s family, concerns identified by the court appointed special advocate, the court appointed special advocate’s recommendations regarding the child’s placement, and other recommendations the court appointed special advocate believes are in the child’s best interests.

h. Submitting periodic reports to the court or juvenile court with jurisdiction over a child and interested parties detailing the child’s situation as long as the child remains under the jurisdiction of the court or juvenile court.

i. Filing other reports as ordered by a court or juvenile court.

Referred to in §232.2, 232.126