Overview
Children can be considered CHIPS because they are abused or neglected, truant, runaway, or otherwise need protection or services. Cases are brought to protect children and to deliver services so children can be safe at home or, if children cannot be home and must be in foster care, so they can safely return home. If services do not resolve the issues, children may be permanently removed from the care of their parents including through termination of parental rights. It is advisable to be represented by an attorney.
There are several case types under the heading of CHIPS. They are CHIPS, CHIPS Truancy, CHIPS Runaway, CHIPS Voluntary Placement, CHIPS Permanency, and Child in Voluntary Foster Care for Treatment.
After investigation by the county social services agency and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, a Petition may be filed with the court. The Court Administrator's office prepares a Summons and Notice of Hearing and provides for service of Summons and Notice with the Petition on the parties named in the case and other case participants. A case may be resolved by agreement of the parties or may require a trial before a judge. If the case goes to trial, the judge will decide whether the child is CHIPS or not.
If you are a case participant and you would like to be able to have more involvement in the court proceedings, you may need to request to intervene in the case. You can find forms to request to intervene in the Child Protection forms.
The goal of a CHIPS case is to provide a child with support, so the child is safe and gets needed education, medical care, and, if needed, mental health care. Protection and services are provided by the county agency and the child’s family working together to develop a plan aimed at keeping the child safe. The agency is required to make reasonable or, in the case of an Indian child, active efforts to implement the plan and to help the child be safe.
If the child is in foster care, the law gives the agency and the parents one year to resolve issues and to make it safe for the child to go home. If the child is not returned home in one year, a permanency case must be started and could include termination of parental rights. The purpose of permanency cases, including termination of parental rights, is to provide the child with a new legal custodian or legal parent who can provide protection, and, if needed, services.