FAMILY ASSESSMENT
The Family Assessment Department consists of an Investigation unit and Intake/Diversion unit.
The department provides services to the Court, area agencies, the public, hospitals, social workers and attorneys.
Investigation Unit
Investigators work with families, social workers, hospitals, attorneys and complete investigations on a Court ordered basis. Investigators provide the Judges and Magistrates with complete social histories that aid in the disposition of primarily custody related matters and in some instances, abuse, neglect, dependency cases and other investigations as ordered by the Court including certifications from other counties or other courts. Investigators are assigned cases once the case been through the initial hearing process and must provide a written report to the Court at the time of the final disposition.
Intake/Diversion Unit
(Complaints/Motions)
Intake/Diversion Officers work with families, social workers, hospitals, and attorneys to screen cases on a daily basis. Intake/Diversion Officers provide a screening process for cases of abuse, neglect or dependency that family members or in some instances professionals who have direct knowledge of abuse, neglect or dependency of children must complete before formal court intervention is initiated. Through Family Assessment, families have access to the Court to have their cases reviewed by filing a motion. Pre-dispositional motions can be filed through Family Assessment by anyone who has an interest in the case. Post-dispositional motions can only be filed through Family Assessment by parent(s) and/or custodians and only if there are current orders to Franklin County Children Services. Intake/Diversion Officers are also responsible for processing certifications from other counties or other courts, adult criminal cases involving adults and children, consent to marry cases and judicial "by-pass" cases. Intake/Diversion Officers make referrals to community resources if Court intervention is not warranted.
(Diversion)
In collaboration with the Franklin County Juvenile Prosecutor’s office, first-time misdemeanor offenders are referred to the Family Assessment Intake/Diversion Unit by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and Juvenile Magistrates. Youth referred to Family Assessment are scheduled to appear, with their parent or guardian, before an Intake/Diversion Officer. Once assessed, the diverted youth may be referred to a number of community based programs including Directions for Youth, Franklin County Children Services or a variety of other programs that are based in the Franklin County area. Additionally, youth diverted from traditional court can be referred to Court managed programs such as Teen Court, Community Service and Mediation. Successful completion of the diversion process can result in the youth not having a formal court record. Failure to successfully complete diversion results in youth being charged formally.
(Unruly/Incorrigible Youth)
Parents who are having difficulty with their teenage son or daughter may come to the Family Assessment Department to meet with an Intake worker, once other resources have been exhausted. The parent and child will meet with the staff member in an attempt to resolve home conflicts or unruly or incorrigible behaviors. An assessment tool will be used to determine if any mental health or behavioral issues exist and the child will be referred to either Franklin County Children Services or Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Additionally, the intake worker will assist the parent with a formal unruly/incorrigible complaint which will be filed in the Juvenile Court and scheduled for preliminary hearing. Should services be successfully implemented the formal filing will be dismissed at the preliminary hearing. If services are not successfully implemented the Juvenile Court may issue a temporary order of custody of the child to Franklin County Children Services.
FAMILY ASSESSMENT STAFF
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Supervisor, Julie O'Reilly Troth |
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(614) 525-3249 |
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Intake/Diversion Officers:
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Roda Omer |
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(614) 525-6361 |
Leon Randle |
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(614) 525-3542 |
Amy Romine |
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(614) 525-5869 |
Diane Tate |
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(614) 525-4439 |
Larry Dannals |
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(614) 525-6130 |
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Investigators:
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Rodnetta Jones |
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(614) 525-4121 |
Shannon Lopez |
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(614) 525-4498 |
Alicia Lowe |
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(614) 525-6377 |
Kim Ryan |
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(614) 525-5567 |
For more information, contact:
