Child and Family Investigator Affidavit of Compliance (19th Judicial District)
I affirm I will conduct myself in a professional manner as outlined in Chief Justice Directive 04-08 including but not limited to:
A. General Principles
The CFI shall act professionally.
The CFI shall maintain objectivity.
B. Role of the Child and Family Investigator
The CFI serves as an investigative arm of the court.
The CFI shall not serve inconsistent dual roles.
The CFI may move to the role of parenting coordinator or decision-maker.
C. Duties of the Child and Family Investigator
The CFI shall maintain competence through training.
The CFI shall acknowledge when an issue is beyond his or her competence.
The CFI shall collect data and conduct an investigation sufficient to allow the CFI to provide competent opinions.
The CFI shall have age-appropriate communication with the child/ren involved.
The CFI shall report child abuse to the proper agency and the Court.
The CFI shall prepare a clear and timely report.
The CFI shall provide copies of his/her file.
The CFI shall maintain confidentiality.
The CFI shall request termination of the appointment when permanent orders or post-decree orders are entered.
D. Communications
The CFI shall develop written policies for the parties.
The CFI shall develop written policies for counsel.
The CFI review the Court’s Order of Appointment.
The CFI shall have no private or ex parte communications with the Court.
CJD 04-08 Standard No. 4, The CFI shall not:
Serve as a formal mediator I the case,
Provide psychotherapy to any of the parties or children in the case,
Provide legal advice to any party or otherwise act as an attorney in the case,
Later accept an appointment as a child’s legal representative in the same case or in the same family if s/he is an attorney,
Accept the appointment if s/he has had a prior personal relationship, or prior professional role with the family. This shall not include a prior appointment as child and family investigator,
Serve as an arbitrator or special master in the case prior to termination as his or her role as a CFI.
Further, the purpose of this affidavit is to provide a simple, uniform reporting method to determine compliance with Chief Justice Directive 04-08, Standard 6. The documentation to support this affidavit shall be maintained by the Child and Family Investigator and shall be made available upon request. National, state and local conferences and other training in the areas set forth in Standard 6 of Chief Justice Directive 04-08 shall be accepted as fulfillment of the training requirements.
New applicants -I certify that I havecompleted 40 hours of training in relevant areas as required by Chief Justice Directive 04-08. I also certify that I will comply with the requirement of 15 hours of continuing education training every three years as required by Chief Justice Directive 04-08, Standard 6.
Current CFIs - I certify that I will complete 15 hours of continuing education training as required every three years by Chief Justice Directive 04-08.
I have read and understand the responsibilities of Child and Family Investigators as outlined in Chief Justice Directive 2004-08 and all attachments contained therein. Further, I recognize it is my responsibility to conduct myself in a manner consistent with all provisions of the Directive recognizing that failure to do so will result in revoking of privileges to act as a CFI in the 19th Judicial District.
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Affiant Name (printed)
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Affiant Signature
Subscribed and sworn to before me on ______, 20__ by______, the affiant.
My commission expires on ______
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Notary Public