Early Childhood Court FAQs

What is the difference between Early Childhood Court and dependency court?
Early Childhood Court is a specialty division within dependency court. It provides a collaborative, therapeutic, problem-solving team approach with the goal of timely permanency for each child. 

The Court conducts a hearing once per month to monitor the case to address the children’s needs and ensure the child(ren) and parents are being provided appropriate services. In addition to the court hearing, there is a Family Team Meeting once per month allowing participants greater access to services and extra help achieving the goal of reunification. 

What is the goal of Early Childhood Court?
The goal of Early Childhood Court is to improve child safety and well-being, change the experience and outcomes of children in the child welfare system, heal trauma, repair the parent/child relationship, and expedite permanency

What is the criteria for a family to be accepted into Early Childhood Court? 

• A family under the jurisdiction of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Dependency Court
• Child(ren) between the age of zero to three years old with siblings up the age of five years old
• Preference for the parents and child(ren) to reside in Hillsborough County for services to be provided

What is the process once a participant is accepted into Early Childhood Court?

• Upon completion of disposition in the home dependency division, a Status hearing to address transfer is scheduled in Early Childhood Court. During the first status hearing, the parties will meet the ECC judge and their consents to enter the program will be accepted.
• Maintain contact with case management, the Early Childhood Court Coordinator, and Guardian ad Litem (if appointed)
• Attend monthly court hearings and Family Team Meetings
• Attend Child Parent Psychotherapy or a similar approved program
• Engage in and complete case plan tasks

What is the role of the Early Childhood Court Program Coordinator?

• Complete intake screening
• Facilitate Family Team Meetings and attend court hearings
• Assist in engaging the parents throughout the process

Who serves on the Early Childhood Court team?

• Early Childhood Court Judge
• The Parents of the child
• Early Childhood Court Coordinator
• Case Manager
• Guardian ad Litem (when appointed to the case)
• Attorney ad Litem (when appointed to the case)

What is the mission of the Early Childhood Court?
Early Childhood Court’s goal is to promote timely permanency, improve child-safety and well-being, and heal trauma. 

What is Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)?
Child Parent Psychotherapy is an intervention model for children aged 0-5 who have experienced at least one traumatic event and/or are experiencing mental health, attachment, and/or behavioral problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder.