C. The Effect of CBC on Courts and Court Process

Stage II of CBC requires that DFPS turn over many court-related duties to the single, lead agency who serves the community area so that these duties become the responsibility of the SSCC and its subcontractors. Court-related duties will be the responsibility of the SSCC and its subcontractors, including preparation of court reports, appearing in court and mediation, offering testimony, complying with all court orders that would ordinarily bind DFPS, and ensuring the child is progressing toward the child's permanency goals in accordance with federally mandated guidelines. DFPS is the party to the lawsuit, and the SSCC acts as DFPS' agent. SSCC employees will confer with and operate under an attorney-client relationship with the DFPS legal counsel, whether DFPS is represented by a regional attorney, a county attorney, or a district attorney. Records that are related to the SSCC's provision of services in a community area are subject to the Public Information Act in the same manner as DFPS records.