ECC Program Requirements

ECC Program Requirements:

If the parent(s) is/are in agreement to voluntarily participate in Early Childhood Court, the following procedures shall occur:

  1. The identified parent(s) will review and sign a form for Consent to Participation and Treatment in Early Childhood Court and a form for Waiver of Confidentiality and Consent to Exchange Information. The parent(s) will accept transfer of the case before the Early Childhood Court Judge and agree to participate in clinical assessments, treatment, and other interventions in Early Childhood Court.
  2. The case shall be transferred via court order to Early Childhood Court.
  3. The Clerk and/or court staff shall set the case on the Early Childhood Court docket and set all future hearings before the Early Childhood Court Judge.
  4. Identified parent(s) and child(ren) meet with a clinician who will conduct a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment (CBHA) if one has not already been conducted. Additionally, after acceptance into the Early Childhood Court, an infant mental health specialist from CITRUS Family Care Network (FCN) will conduct an assessment to determine whether a referral is appropriate for Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), or other appropriate treatment modality, and recommend treatment interventions for the parent(s), the child(ren), and their attachment relationship, which supports the case plan tasks and treatment plan. From this assessment, primary treatment modalities are recommended to the Court.
  5. In addition to attending court hearings, parent(s) will attend a family team meeting every month, or as needed, to discuss progress and potential barriers to reunification.
  6. The Early Childhood Court will provide participating families with additional services through its community partnerships to support parents in completing case plans while addressing the unique needs of young children involved in dependency cases.
  7. The Early Childhood Court calendar will be held at minimum on a weekly basis and otherwise, at the discretion of the Early Childhood Court Judge. Early Childhood Court Team members will participate as much as possible in staffings, monthly family team meetings, monthly provider meetings, and stakeholder meetings.