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Section 793.2 – Community involvement

May 13, 2021 | Family Law, Louisiana

Duly authorized representatives of the local school board, law enforcement agencies, including sheriffs’ offices and city and municipal police offices, courts exercising jurisdiction over juveniles and their caretakers, and designated service providers shall sign interagency agreements specific to each parish representing a commitment by each entity to agree to provide the following types of services:

(1) The local school board in the parish shall assist in creating student background data, including attendance records, unexcused absences, conduct violations, discipline records, report cards, and transcripts as permitted by law. The board also shall provide access to all school-based education, counseling, and related services.
(2) Law enforcement agencies in the parish, including the sheriff and municipal and local police, shall provide law enforcement necessary to assist the program to reach its goals. These services shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

(a) Supporting early intervention in the implementation of strategies that combat behavioral problems in the school setting.
(b) Delivering court appearance notices and subpoenas.
(c) Accompanying early intervention staff on home visits when needed.
(3) Families in need of services personnel shall work in partnership with the early intervention staff when clients are referred to the families in need of services program. Case plans shall be reviewed with families in need of services personnel and early intervention staff and client progress shall be monitored. Families in need of services personnel shall file all petitions in the event of noncompliance of a plan, and provide with respect to court appearances and the coordination of other services.
(4) Courts having jurisdiction over children and their families shall work with collaborating agencies to identify youth and monitor treatment plan progress and, when possible, assist program staff in obtaining and utilizing a continuum of services and sanctions for identified youth. The courts, in conjunction with the district attorneys, shall direct formal court action on noncompliance cases and integrate the needs of at-risk families with existing court programs and services.
(5) Through multiagency collaborative efforts between various community service organizations, there shall be a unified effort to provide services related to child abuse and neglect to identified youth. Service and treatment plans shall be developed, including mental health evaluation and treatment, with parental substance abuse evaluation and treatment, educational evaluation, probation services, and alternative school placement and guidance.
(6) The district attorney shall designate prosecutors to work with the courts to assist at-risk families early in their court involvement and assist with data follow-up and outcome evaluation. Additionally, the district attorney, if necessary, shall institute charges that may be levied against the family when they are noncompliant with the service plan.

La. Ch.C. § 793.2

Acts 2004, No. 852, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2009, No. 132, §1, eff. June 25, 2009.