This should include professional review of the reports before they are submitted to the court. Very few respondents in these proceedings can afford private evaluations. A follow-up with psychologists in those states indicated that some payment could be achieved if the preauthorization for services was for a mental health assessment rather than for a psychological evaluation. The state child protective agencies in all states make provisions for special contract services that can be the payment basis. However, in most cases, payment for these services is well below market rates.
Some states have forensic evaluation services available statewide through large contracts.
In other states, there are similar contracts through the judiciary. There are states which have the psychological evaluation function built into the state child protective agency or within the court itself, but this brings with it potential conflicts of interest and difficult problems with confidentiality and privilege. Each approach or system has drawbacks and advantages. The mental health professionals should be able to receive fair payment for their work. The rights and privileges of the children, the respondents, the state and the professionals need to be protected.