Juveniles: Child Abuse and Neglect, Foster Care, Dependency and Delinquency
Legal Information
This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Juveniles, including Child Abuse and Neglect; Foster Care; Dependency; and Delinquency issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Call to Report Child Abuse!!! - ChildLine and Abuse Registry
Reporting Child Abuse - Call 800-932-0313 The ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Each call is answered by a trained intake specialist who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Call to Report Child Abuse!!! - ChildLine and Abuse Registry
Reporting Child Abuse - Call 800-932-0313 The ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Each call is answered by a trained intake specialist who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process (Video)
This is a comprehensive video from the Pennsylvania Courts for parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under supervision of dependency court. The goals of the video are to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask.
Understanding Kinship Foster Care (Video)
This video has been produced by the Pennsylvania Courts to help potential kinship providers learn about and understand kinship foster care, navigate the dependency court system and take the necessary steps to become a kinship parent.
Staying in Foster Care Past Age 18
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project about how and when individuals over 18 years of age can remain in or re-enter foster care, and why you might want to do so.
Teen Parent Rights When DHS Investigates
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project proving information to teen parents who might be under investigation by the Department of Human Services concerning allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Teen Parents in Care
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information for teen parents in care, who are young mothers and fathers who are placed by the Department of Human Services in foster care, a mother/baby placement, or other placement.
Juvenile Delinquency
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the legal issues concerning juvenile delinquency proceedings from the Erie County Bar Association.
Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process (Video)
This is a comprehensive video from the Pennsylvania Courts for parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under supervision of dependency court. The goals of the video are to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask.
Juvenile Dependency (CYS)
Information on how and why custody of a child may be taken by Children and Youth Services and your legal rights when a child is taken by the agency.
A Parent's Guide to Juvenile Court
This booklet is written to help participants in the Juvenile Court Project of the Allegheny Bar Foundation understand their rights in the Juvenile Court Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights process. This guide also provides information about the client's responsibilities and the responsibilities of the attorney. [PDF]
Juvenile Dependency (CYS)
Information on how and why custody of a child may be taken by Children and Youth Services and your legal rights when a child is taken by the agency.
Dependency
Dependency Chapter of the Family Law Handbook published by North Penn Legal Services. (2021)
Staying in Foster Care Past Age 18
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project about how and when individuals over 18 years of age can remain in or re-enter foster care, and why you might want to do so.
Teen Parent Rights When DHS Investigates
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project proving information to teen parents who might be under investigation by the Department of Human Services concerning allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Teen Parents in Care
Fact sheet from the Youth Justice Project providing information for teen parents in care, who are young mothers and fathers who are placed by the Department of Human Services in foster care, a mother/baby placement, or other placement.
Juvenile Delinquency
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on the legal issues concerning juvenile delinquency proceedings from the Erie County Bar Association.
A Parent's Guide to Juvenile Court
This booklet is written to help participants in the Juvenile Court Project of the Allegheny Bar Foundation understand their rights in the Juvenile Court Dependency and Termination of Parental Rights process. This guide also provides information about the client's responsibilities and the responsibilities of the attorney. [PDF]
Dependent Child Proceedings
Information from the Erie County Bar Association on dependent child proceedings from the Erie County Bar Association.
Know Your Rights: Extended Foster Care and Re-entry In PA
This brochure from the Juvenile Law Center describes the rights of juveniles in extended foster care and how to re-enter care after you are discharged from foster care.
Child Abuse and the Law
This manual from the Juvenile Law Center familiarizes the professional and the lay reader with Pennsylvania’s child abuse and neglect laws and regulations. The aim of this publication is to clarify the role of the various laws and regulations in issue and to clarify the complicated process of state intervention in the family. (2007)
Call to Report Child Abuse!!! - ChildLine and Abuse Registry
Reporting Child Abuse - Call 800-932-0313 The ChildLine and Abuse Registry Intake Unit is available 24 hours to receive reports of suspected child abuse. Each call is answered by a trained intake specialist who will interview the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Parent’s Guide to Understanding the Pennsylvania Dependency Process (Video)
This is a comprehensive video from the Pennsylvania Courts for parents whose children have been removed from their care or are under supervision of dependency court. The goals of the video are to help parents learn what to expect in the courtroom, how to prepare for court, how to work with their caseworkers and attorney, what rights they’re entitled to and good questions to ask.
Understanding Kinship Foster Care (Video)
This video has been produced by the Pennsylvania Courts to help potential kinship providers learn about and understand kinship foster care, navigate the dependency court system and take the necessary steps to become a kinship parent.
Child Abuse & Neglect
Resources from the Child Welfare Information Gateway about child maltreatment, including definitions, signs and symptoms, statistics and prevalence, types of child abuse and neglect, risk and protective factors, the impact on individuals and society, and child fatalities.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
The Child Welfare Information Gateway connects professionals and concerned citizens to timely, essential information and resources targeted to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.
What Is Child Abuse? (Dauphin County)
Description of child abuse and information on how to report child abuse in Dauphin County from Dauphin County Children & Youth Services.
Allegheny County Court Family Division - Frequently Asked Questions
The Family Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas offers answers to many Frequently Asked Questions in the area of Custody; Dependency & Related Services; Divorce; Juvenile Delinquency and Probation; Paternity; Protection From Abuse (PFA); and Support.
York County: Court Forms
The Court Forms section of the York County Court of Common Pleas offers popular forms provided by various Court and Court-related departments.