Exposure to Domestic Violence
Exposure to domestic violence is when a child is exposed directly or
indirectly to physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological harm between
current or former intimate partners or spouses. Exposure can include
seeing and hearing violent acts, seeing related injuries and being told
about the violence.
Abandonment/Separation
Abandonment/separation occurs when a child has been abandoned, a
child's parent has died, or a child's parent is unavailable to exercise
his or her custodial rights over a child and has not made adequate
provision for a child's care and custody. It also occurs when a child
is in out-of-home placement and the parent refuses or is unable to
resume the child's care and custody.
Caregiver Capacity
Caregiver capacity can be questioned when a caregiver demonstrates,
or has demonstrated in the past, characteristics that indicate the child
would be at risk of harm without intervention. These characteristics
can include a history of abusing/neglecting a child, being unable to
protect a child from harm, problems such as drug or alcohol use,
mental-health issues, or limited care giving skills.