Plans of Safe Care Infants With Prenatal Substance Exposure and Their Families - Alabama
Definitions
Citation: Admin. Code § 660-5-34-.02
For the purpose of screening and accepting reports of child abuse/neglect that are received by the Department of Human Resources, the following departmental definitions of abuse and neglect are used:
- The definitions of physical abuse indicate nonaccidental injury or threatened injury to a child and that serious harm is present or threatened. Physical abuse, which is directly attributable to a physical act by the person allegedly responsible, includes fetal alcohol syndrome or drug withdrawal at birth due to the mother's substance use or misuse.
- The definitions of neglect indicate a failure by the parent or primary caregiver to protect children from a risk of serious harm. These definitions include a positive test for alcohol and/or drugs at birth. Infants who test positive for alcohol and/or drugs at birth due to the mother's substance misuse, as determined by a medical professional, is considered abuse/neglect.
Notification/Reporting Requirements
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.
Assessment of the Infant and Family
Citation: Admin. Code § 660-5-34-.02
When complaints or reports are received, the county department has the duty and responsibility to assess the complaint or report and do the following:
- Evaluate the extent to which children are being harmed or are at risk of serious harm
- Evaluate the parents' capacity to improve the situation
- Provide the supportive services needed to better the family's situation for children
- When parents are unable to use this help, invoke legal authority of the court by petition and secure adequate protection, care, and treatment for children whenever necessary to meet their needs and rights
Responsibility for Development of the Plan of Safe Care
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.
Services for the Infant
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.
Services for the Parents or Other Caregivers
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.
Monitoring Plans of Safe Care
This issue is not addressed in the statutes and regulations reviewed.