Reasonable Efforts - Reunifying the Child and Family 624-05-15-25

(Revised 2/10/07 ML #3053)

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“Reasonable efforts” means the exercise of due diligence by the agency granted authority over the child by the court, to use appropriate and available services to meet the needs of the child and the child’s family so as to assure the child’s safety, permanency, and well-being.

 

Under both Federal and State law, reasonable efforts to reunify the child and family must be made and documented throughout a child’s placement.  In making reasonable efforts, the child’s health and safety and well-being shall be the paramount concern. Wraparound case management will be used to assess the needs and strengths of the child and family. A child and family team will be developed. Through the committee/team process, services and supports will be designed to assist the family with reunification of the child. Services comprise a set of Family Preservation Services, as well as reunification and other services designed to help families alleviate the problems which occasioned the removal of the child, to support families preparing to reunify, and to assist families in obtaining services and other supports necessary to address their multiple needs in a culturally sensitive manner. These services focus on family strengths and competencies. They are intense and time-limited.  Not all-available services are appropriate for all families, depending on need. Reasonable efforts require applying appropriate services with professional judgment and due diligence, not assuring that every family receive every possible service. Application of Family Preservation Services, reunification, and other services involves establishing appropriate treatment goals and treatment tasks as part of the permanency plan/Single Plan of Care (SPOC).

 

Refer to Wraparound Case Management Service Chapter 641-05 and 641-10.