Effective immediately, this directive promulgates revisions to the terminology used for hearings in Children in Court (CIC) matters in child protection matters (FN docket). All references to “Compliance Review” in the FN docket hereinafter shall be referred to as “Status Review.” Status Review reflects a neutral reference as to the purpose of the proceeding for the parents and Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) to work together to support families involved in the child welfare system.
The Children in Court Improvement Committee (CICIC) collaborated on this issue to improve interaction with court users and promote public trust and confidence in the child welfare system. The change in language helps prevent the incorrect assumption that all parents involved in CIC matters do not want to engage in services. The status review occurs after a disposition hearing, which follows a fact-finding or Title 30 summary hearing. The status review is intended to convey the intention that all parties (DCP&P and parents alike) are equally responsible for informing the court of the status of the efforts to remediate issues and, in out-of-home placement cases, to inform the court of the efforts to reunify the family.
The CIC Operations Manual, CIC Parent’s Handbook, and the following three forms will be revised to reflect the change in terminology, effective January 1, 2026, and posted on the Judiciary's website:
• CN 10261 - Child Protection Multipurpose Order (FN docket);
• CN 10262 - Order - Stipulation/Admission or Fact-Finding/Trial (Title 9) (FN docket);
• CN 11705 - Order - Admission or Summary Finding (Title 30) (FN docket).
Document Date: Dec. 5, 2025
Publish Date: Dec. 5, 2025