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Types of Evaluations in Dependency Court

By Walin & Klarich

Evaluations can be helpful and necessary in many types of dependency cases. In any written evaluation report, the evaluator describes the methods used and the reasoning for conclusions and recommendations. The specific purpose of the evaluation will dictate what type of assessment methods and what type of professional is necessary. A mental health, psychiatric or psychological evaluation addresses an individuals? mental and emotional status, provides diagnostic information and makes appropriate recommendations. A comprehensive child welfare evaluation should include more than a psychiatric or psychological evaluation of each party. In a dependency proceeding, the attorney must review the qualifications of the evaluator. The attorney should determine what type of expert conducted the evaluation and how much expertise that expert has in that specific area of child welfare...continue to full post

Full post as published by Southern California Criminal Defense Blog on July 22, 2010 (boomark / email).