WHO IS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILD?

From: Holly Elissa
Email: hollyelissab@comcast.net
Date: May 23, 2007

Comments

Getting "caught in the crossfire" between warring parents can be disastrous for you, the program, and the children.

To avoid this from the "get-go" make sure you have legal documentation that makes clear who has custody of the child.

You have a right at enrollment to ask for documentation. For example, if dad enrolls his son, and doesn't put mom on the authorized list, what do you do if mom shows up?

Take a look at my article "At the end of the day: policies, procedures and practices to ensure smooth transitions when families pick up children." It was published in Child Care Exchange. Or you can just go to my website to read it: hollyelissabruno.com

Bottom line: in most states, both biological parents, married or not, may have the right to pick up the child. The enrolling parent, who doesn't want the other parent to be on the authorized list, needs to provide: 1) divorce decree stating sole custody to the enrolling parent; 2) restraining order against the other parent; or 3) sole custody decree.

This can be an especially difficult conversation to have if your families have abused women/men who do not want their abuser to find them.

Have you experienced problems with authorized lists and pick up?