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an.< 1.8 <br />235 <br />FEE POLICY <br />HOME STUDIES FOR DIVORCE/CUSTODY DISPUTES <br />A part of our normal responsibility at the Lee County Department of <br />Social Services is to conduct home studies for licensing of foster <br />homes and on families who apply to adopt children. We have <br />expertise in this area and by doing those studies we are serving <br />children who were neglected, abused or dependent. Any other home <br />studies, such as those used to aid judicial decisions on child <br />custody fall outside the normal, legal responsibility of the <br />Department of Social Services. <br />We understand there are times when the court needs professional, <br />unbiased home studies in child custody cases. We wish to be <br />available, whenever possible, to help the court. This, however, <br />presents us with certain problems: <br />(1) we cannot claim the time spent and cost incurred <br />against federal reimbursement, thus the costs <br />must be covered by 100% county funds. <br />(2) these cases take workers time from their <br />assigned caseload. <br />We have calculated that a home study such as those ordered by <br />the court takes about twenty (20) working hours. Included in <br />this are home visits, collateral contacts, contacts with the <br />school, writing, typing, supervisor review and court time. In <br />accordance with G.S. 108A-10 the DSS can establish a fee to <br />defray the cost of the private home studies. Based on $22.50 <br />per hour, which is the amount recommended by the state, a home <br />study fee would be $450.00. It is our hope the judge involved <br />will have the fee assessed as a part of the cost against the <br />litigants. We also ask that all or at least half of the fee be <br />paid in advance. This will prevent disgruntled families from <br />deciding not to pay should the home study not be favorable to <br />their side of the dispute. <br />We occasionally have home studies requested on families whose <br />income is below the standard of living. When evidence is <br />submitted to support this, we will reduce the cost accordingly. <br />Any family receiving less than 20 hours of service in the home <br />study will receive refunds. <br />The Lee County Board of Social Services and the Lee County <br />Board of Commissioners have voted to support the DSS in <br />assessing fees from the families being studied. <br />34 <br />1 <br />