The participants at the CMC include a CSO, a DCF representative, an Assistant Attorney General (AAG), and counsel for all parties.  In some jurisdictions, respondent parents may be present during portions of the discussion.  

The following is a list of issues to be addressed at the CMC: 

• review of the case file to ascertain whether all necessary parties have received notice

• confirm that all parties are represented or have waived rights to counsel

• determine whether all necessary parties are present

• review pending motions

• discuss witnesses who might be called to testify or documents that might be entered in evidence

• clarification of need for court-ordered testing, such as psychological, psychiatric, competency, or paternity

• identification of areas of mutual concern and interest

• mediation among the parties and attorneys to develop areas of mutual agreement and reduce the areas of dispute to a more manageable level

• determine whether the parties would be willing to participate in a formal mediation of some or all of the issues, if appropriate

• clarification of any motions that will be filed during the course of the procedure pending, and

• appropriateness of negotiating a post-adoption cooperative agreement between the biological parents and the prospective adoptive parents.

All parties must be prepared to make recommendations based on each client’s position regarding the TPR.  All parties must be prepared to identify and discuss issues that must be resolved prior to the TPR trial. 

The DCF representative shall be prepared to provide current information regarding the Department’s position about the following items: 

• the reason(s) for the TPR

• permanency plan for the child along with concurrent plan

• family history with DCF

• prior and presenting issues with the family

• child’s current placement

• how the child is doing

• services for child and parents, including those services in place and those that have been recommended

• steps taken to identify and secure appropriate services and obstacles to participation in services

• parents’ cooperation and involvement with the Department and service providers, and

• parents’ compliance with Specific Steps. 

In all jurisdictions, all parties and counsel are expected to be present and on time for the entirety of the proceeding and to participate in discussions in a good faith manner. 

The parties will finalize a case management order at the CMC for approval and signature by the judge.  The following are elements to be included in the order:  

• scheduling future case events

• identification of areas of agreement

• assignment of responsibility for various case activities (filing of motions, submission of reports, making referrals for court-ordered testing and services, exploring placement resources.)