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Department o[ Social Services ........ P.o. I Concord, North Carolina 28026-0668 FE~ 0 g 1089 Telephone: (704) 785-7141 Om~ ~. Cook, ~r. February 6, 1989 MEMORA~Db~i TO: Michael Ruffin, County Manager( -?~(J FROM: Jim Cook, Social Services DirectX~-~) SUBJECT: Board Approval of Fees for Court-Ordered Home Studies I am writing to request that the Board of Commissioners approve a new fee schedule for the Department for its preparation of court-ordered home studies. Like almost all other county departments of social services, the Department charges a fee for these studies which are ordered primarily in private child custody actions. Since its institution of fees for this service in 1983, the Department has charged a fee of $100.00 for the first home study and $150.00 where two studies are required 5n connection with the same custody action. There are approximately 12 of these done each year. This schedule has become outdated in relation to costs and fees charged by surrounding counties. The Department has analyzed its costs for preparing studies and has collected information on fees charged by surrounding counties. As Cabarrus and Rowan are in the same Judicial DisCrict, we have sought and secured the agreement of the Rowan County Department of Social Services regarding a proposed fee schedule for both counties. Also, we have secured the input and concurrence of the Chief District Court Judge, regarding the proposed schedule. Finally, the Cabarrus County Social Services Board approved the proposed schednle at its January meeting. We are requesting that the Board of Commissioners approve effective April 1, 1989 the following: 1. That the fee charged for court-ordered h6me studies be $150.00 per home studied, and 2. That the Court may order a waiver of the fee for those families it determines to be indigent. Please advise me if I may provide additional information. Thank you.