Rule 1240. Shelter Care Application

(a) Filings . A shelter care application may be oral or in writing. If oral, the county agency shall file a written shelter care application within 24 hours of exercising protective custody pursuant to Rule 1210.

(b) Application Contents . Every shelter care application shall set forth:

(1) the name of the applicant;

(2) the name, date of birth, and address of the child, if known;

(3) the name and address of the child’s guardian, or if unknown, the name and address of the nearest adult relative;

(4) the date that the child was taken into custody;

(5) a concise statement of facts in support of the allegation of dependency;

(6) a statement detailing family finding efforts and:

(i) the reasonable efforts made to prevent placement; and

(ii) why there are no less restrictive alternatives available;

(7) a verification by the applicant that the facts set forth in the petition are true and correct to the applicant’s personal knowledge, information, or belief, and that any false statements are subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities;

(8) the signature of the applicant and the date of the execution of the application;

(9) the whereabouts of the child unless the county agency has determined it would pose a risk to the safety of the child or the guardian, or disclosure is prohibited by the court; and

(10) whether the applicant has reason to know the child is an Indian child as defined in Rule 1120.

Comment. In lieu of a shelter care application, the county agency may file a petition as set forth in Rule 1330. The primary focus of the shelter care application is to assert that protective custody is needed, and the child should remain in the custody of the county agency. A shelter care hearing is to be held within 72 hours of taking the child into protective custody. See Pa.R.J.C.P. 1242(d) . Pursuant to subdivision (b)(6), the application is to contain a statement detailing the reasonable efforts made to prevent placement and the specific reasons why there are no less restrictive alternatives available. This statement may include information such as: 1) the circumstances of the case; 2) family finding efforts made by the county agency; 3) contact with family members or other kin; 4) the child’s educational, health care, and disability needs; and 5) any need for emergency actions. See Rule 1149 regarding family finding requirements.