The Harris case resulted in an order that DSS provide hearings to challenge cases where a county child welfare agency denied a relative or nonrelative extended family member (NREFM) approval to provide care to a juvenile court dependent. This letter is notice that the regular state hearings procedures will now start, replacing the special provisions temporarily in place after the order. These hearings are for a denial of relative/NREFM qualifications; denials under Community Care Licensing ; home approval denials (for not meeting health and safety requirements); or failure to complete required orientation and/or training.
There is no right to a Harris hearing to dispute an agency’s submittal of an alleged severe neglect or abuse incident onto the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) , or a dispute requesting the removal of the incident(s) from the CACI. Such disputes continue to be grieved through the appropriate county (see MPP 31-021.1 through 31-021.86). [Download]