(CHINS) Petition

Version: 4 POLICY [REVISED] The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) will initiate a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) petition when there is sufficient reason(s) to believe that a child is a victim of abuse and neglect or the child has a CHINS condition such as experiencing physical or emotional maltreatment, neglect, or other conditions, such as abandonment. The situation must meet one or more of the CHINS definitions as set forth in the Indiana Code under IC 31-34-1-1 through IC 31-34-1-11, and DCS must show that coercive intervention of the court is necessary to protect the child. See Tool 6.B: Statutory Definition of CHINS for further details. DCS will ensure that a CHINS fact-finding hearing takes place when either parent or another named party has evidence regarding the condition of the child who is alleged to be a Child in Need of Services and who desires to contest the facts alleged in the DCS CHINS petition. [REVISED] DCS will protect the confidentiality of information shared during court proceedings and the safety of a parent who is alleged to be a victim of domestic violence. This may include, but is not limited to: 1. Presenting addresses and contact information for the parent who is an alleged victim of domestic violence in a sidebar; 2. Requesting that confidential information regarding the parent who is an alleged victim of domestic violence not be read aloud in the court room; 3. Requesting that security escort the parent who is an alleged victim of domestic violence and/or alleged domestic violence offender in and out of the court room and to their vehicle, if necessary; and/or 4. Requesting that service providers redact their service reports prior to providing a copy to the alleged domestic violence offender