Centers and Clinics
Child Protection Team
Clinics
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Under the guidelines of the Office of the General Counsel, Clinic Interns provide advice and interpretations to a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses and psychologists who are responsible for investigating and evaluating the most complex cases of child abuse and neglect in a sixteen county area of North Florida. Students may also be required to travel to the surrounding counties that are served by CPT.
The Child Protective Team operates under the auspices of the University of Florida Department of Pediatrics and is tasked with investigating and making recommendations in complex and serious cases involving allegations of child abuse and neglect, including medical neglect.
Children's Medical Services is under the auspices of the Florida Department of Health. CMS is a comprehensive health care service provider for children, and is staffed by Shands medical personnel. Eligible children can receive services at CMS, regardless of income. Most patients at CMS are receiving services for special or chronic health care needs.
Students will learn to work in a public institutional setting, in conjunction with the University of Florida General Counsel's Office. Students will provide interpretations of child welfare law and will assist CPT in preparation for court appearances and depositions.
Students may also have an opportunity to negotiate with opposing counsel and appear in court on behalf of CPT.
Students will assist in the development of models for implementing policy changes in Child Welfare Law and practice.
Under the guidelines of the Office of the General Counsel, Clinic Interns provide advice and interpretations to a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses and psychologists who are responsible for investigating and evaluating the most complex cases of child abuse and neglect in a sixteen county area of North Florida. Students may also be required to travel to the surrounding counties that are served by CPT.
JUVENILE PUBLIC DEFENDER
Public Defenders Offices everywhere are charged with the tremendous responsibility of representing indigent persons charged with criminal violations of the law. Solutions to the problems of the children involved in the Juvenile Justice System depends on collaboration between professionals from a variety of disciplines including law, medicine, education, social services, social sciences, and mental health. The Juvenile Public Defender Program is designed to train law students by placing them in settings where they can utilize their legal expertise to benefit children in the delinquency system. Interns will be extensively trained in the area of juvenile delinquency law, understanding the elements of crimes, and the juvenile trial process. Interns will assist Public Defenders in representing children charged with delinquency. The students will become certified legal interns, and will then complete an internship with the Public Defenders Office.
CHILD WELFARE LEGAL SERVICES
Child Welfare Legal Services (CWLS). CWLS is the agency that provides legal services to the Department of Children and Families in cases involving suspected child abuse and neglect and in attaining permanency for children in foster care. CWLS attorneys are considered to represent the state because they represent the Department of Children and Families. CWLS interns will assist CWLS attorneys in performing the following activities:
Advise investigators, caseworkers, and administrators regarding legal sufficiency for shelter, dependency, and termination of parental rights petitions and other issues.
Supervise the preparation of or prepare and sign all legal documents such as petitions, pleadings, motions, discovery requests, case plans, affidavits of diligent search, affidavits under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act, predispositional reports, judicial review social studies, certificates of service, and notices of appeal.
Provide legal expertise to caseworkers in case staffings and conferences.
Attend all court hearings.
Participate in dependency mediation.
Represent the department in contested adoptions and the state in appellate proceedings.
The CWLS Program is designed to train law students in the area of juvenile dependency law. The students will become certified legal interns, and will then complete an internship with CWLS.