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tlc4kids

Jan 17
0

What the heck is…”VOCA?”

By | Uncategorized
The 1984 Victims of Crime Act established a fund to ease the financial burden experienced by many crime victims. The fund is financed by fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders. Money is funneled to the states to assist victims directly with medical expenses, counseling, work loss, crime scene cleanup, etc. Some funds are allocated to non-profits providing direct services to victims. Each year, Tulsa Lawyers for Children applies to the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council -Victim Compensation Program for a grant to cover salaries associated with representing abused children.
While TLC clients are in DHS custody they are not eligible for VOCA funds. However, they are eligible once their case closes. Please keep this in mind since so many of our clients need continuing counseling. Your client may be eligible for funds to cover unreimbursed expenses if related to a crime which led to the filing of the deprived petition.
Additional information about VOCA and the Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation is available on our website here under the Resources tab.
Nov 22
0

What the heck is…a “Post-Adjudication Petition?”

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A post adjudication petition is a creature of statute. It is the mechanism used to address conditions discovered after the initial adjudication of a child as deprived. An example: learning the Natural Mother has a substance abuse problem. DHS can refer the parent for an assessment on the admission alone, but the state cannot allege a failure to correct the condition of substance abuse at a termination trial since the child was not initially adjudicated deprived due to the Natural Mother’s drug use.

To add the requirement to correct the condition of drug use, the State must file another petition. The post adjudication petition contains the new allegations. As with the first petition, the State must serve the Natural Mother. The Natural Mother can stipulate, enter a non-jury trial stipulation, or request a non-jury trial on the new allegations. There are no time line considerations since the children are already adjudicated deprived. The issue before the court is whether or not there is sufficient evidence to sustain a finding the substance abuse concerns are a condition to correct. TLC will provide more information on this topic in the coming months.

Oct 26
0

What the heck is… ?

By | Uncategorized

Each month TLC tries to provide our volunteers with useful information about certain programs or practices which can impact your client. We decided to end the year by hosting an event where all the service providers will be present to discuss their programs and answer your specific questions.

The “Unwrapping Resources” information Open House will be on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 11am-1pm at 907 South Detroit, in the large conference room on the 10th floor.

This event was developed based on input from our volunteers. Special kudos to Amber Dawn Cornelius for her suggestions. All sorts of issues will be addressed, like: Where can my client get a new school uniform? What does the color “red” on the drug testing schedule mean? How do I get my client signed up for summer camps? What therapy is available for abused children? What is TF-CBT?

Please stop by and enjoy lunch with us on December 8, 2017.