About the Court Improvement Program (CIP)
By fostering collaboration among courts, child welfare agencies, tribes and community partners, the Court Improvement Program (CIP) ensures compliance with state and federal child welfare laws while prioritizing the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families.
Participants benefit from improved training, data-driven decision-making, and access to resources that strengthen child welfare systems. Engaging with the CIP is crucial for anyone involved in child welfare or the judicial process, as it creates a shared commitment to achieving better outcomes for vulnerable children in South Dakota through streamlined processes and informed practices.
The CIP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, to support the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act to the state’s highest state court of appeals. Grant funds support the state courts’ continuous assessment and improvement to the handling of court proceedings related to child welfare and enhance the collaboration with title IV-E/IV-B agencies and tribes.
Find Child Abuse and Neglect Resources
Court Improvement Program Committee
The Court Improvement Program Committee, through the direction of the South Dakota State Supreme Court, State Court Administrator’s Office, assesses the Unified Judicial System's handling of child abuse and neglect cases and recommends improvements for achieving timely safety, permanency, and well-being for children and families.
More About Court Improvement Program Committee
Guidelines for Judicial Process in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
The South Dakota Guidelines for Judicial Process in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases is crucial for judicial officials and related stakeholders to ensure a consistent, informed and effective approach to addressing these cases. Find procedures, roles and legal considerations and explore best practices, specific guidelines for hearings and collaboration with child welfare entities and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) compliance.
View Guidelines for Judicial Process in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
