Tribe: Navajo Nation
§ 1117. Dependency predisposition studies, reports and examinations
A. Prior to holding a dispositional hearing, the Court shall direct that
a predisposition study and report be made in writing to the Court by the
Division.
B. The predisposition study required under Subsection (A) shall contain
the following information:
1. A statement of the specific harm to the child that intervention is designed to alleviate;
2. If removal from or continued residence outside the home is
recommended, a statement of the likely harm the child will suffer as a
result of removal, including emotional harm resulting from separation
from his parents;
3. A treatment plan consisting of:
a. A description of the specific progress needed to be made
by both the parent and the child in order to prevent further harm to the
child, a specific plan setting out the steps to be taken by the parents
and caseworker and a timetable for their completion, the reasons why such
a program is likely to be-useful, the availability of any proposed
services and the Division’s overall plan for insuring that the services
will be delivered;
b. If removal from the home or continued residence outside
the home is recommended, a description of any previous efforts to work
with the parent and the child in the home and the in-home treatment
programs which have been considered and rejected;
c. A description of the steps that will be taken to minimize
any harm to the child that may result if separation from his parent
occurs or continues; and
d. A description of the behavior that will be expected before
a determination is made that supervision of the family or placement is no
longer necessary.
C. A copy of the predisposition report shall be provided by the Division
to counsel for all parties at least five days before the dispositional hearing.