Alaska Child in Need of Aid (CHINA) Proceedings is a set of legal proceedings carried out by the state of Alaska to protect the safety, health, and welfare of children. The proceedings are designed to ensure that children who have been subject to abuse, neglect, or abandonment receive the necessary care and services to allow them to grow and develop in a safe and secure environment. In Alaska, the Child in Need of Aid (CHINA) Proceedings involve the Department of Health and Social Services (DSS) initiating a case against either the parents or guardians of a child who is at risk of harm due to abuse or neglect. The CHINA Proceedings are divided into two types: Dependency and Delinquency Proceedings. Dependency Proceedings involve a child who is alleged to be dependent on a parent or guardian due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Delinquency Proceedings involve a child who is accused of committing a crime or who is considered to be a delinquent. In either type of proceedings, the DSS is responsible for investigating the allegations and making recommendations to the court regarding the best interests of the child.