8-808. Parent assistance program

A. A parent assistance program is established in the administrative office of the supreme court for the purpose of providing information to and assisting parents or guardians in understanding the process of removal of a child from the home. The administrative office of the supreme court shall establish parent assistance offices in counties having a population of four hundred thousand persons or more and shall provide twenty-four hour telephone hot line access statewide.

B. The administrative office of the supreme court shall hire and employ staff, subject to legislative appropriation, for purposes relating to the functions of the parent assistance program.

C. The parent assistance program shall provide the following information to parents or guardians:

1. The parents' or guardians' legal rights, including the right to attend court or foster care review board hearings, and the child's legal rights.

2. The means for accessing personnel who can provide information on:

(a) The well-being of the child who is removed from the home.

(b) The community resources that are available.

3. The procedures for requesting an attorney or a temporary custody hearing and the consequences of failure to make the request.

D. The administrative office of the supreme court shall maintain current statistics on the utilization of and types of calls received by the parent assistance program. The administrative office of the supreme court shall make the information available to the public on request and on the administrative office of the supreme court's website.

E. The administrative office of the supreme court shall coordinate efforts with the department to provide each parent or guardian with written notice of the services offered by the parent assistance program at the time initial contact is made with a family.