As a result of the Federal Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Family Court was developed in 1998 to ensure that a safe, permanent and stable home is secured for each abused and neglected child. The legislation requires termination of parental rights after a child has been placed in custodial care for 15-22 months. The court provides for the behavioral health needs of the child and their family by offering assessment, treatment and case monitoring services that will determine, in large measure, the outcome of the hearings. Cases are referred to FC for review by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS).  When necessary, the court will order drug and alcohol assessments, which are conducted by FC staff. Clinical evaluation staff assigned to FC also provide case monitoring services to and process Medical Assistance (MA) applications for eligible clients. Clinical assessment and case monitoring services are available in all dependency courtrooms. The Clinical Evaluation Unit also conducts assessments and monitors treatment progress for adolescents from the Reasonable Efforts in Assessment, Access and Prevention (REAAP) Unit. Pennsylvania Act 53, which became effective January 25, 1998, permits the involuntary commitment of children under 18 to substance abuse treatment. Parents or legal guardians with a child may petition a judge to have the child assessed and placed into substance abuse treatment. A clinical evaluation report is submitted for consideration by the judge.