CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

10.10.1 Family Reunion Services

Following the return of the child the Division shall provide services to the family to facilitate successful reunification and monitor the care the child receives. Services identified to support the family during the reunification period should be offered to the family, if needed, when the court terminates jurisdiction immediately. However, acceptance of services is voluntary on the part of the family.

Through family reunion, with its intensive services, it is possible to recommend that a child be returned home. Families that can participate in the project must meet the following criteria:

  • Goal is to return child(ren) to family AND this is not possible in the next six  (6) months without extensive services;
  • Safety issues preventing the child(ren)’s return have been identified;
  • Family court agrees to return the child(ren) if family reunion is involved;
  • Parent(s) and child(ren) are willing to participate in the project; and
  • The family has not been involved with Intensive In-Home Services in the past six (6) months.

If the FST/PPRT and/or Children’s Service Worker and supervisor agree that the family qualifies for, and could successfully reunify if services are provided, the referral information should be entered into FACES using the Family Reunion Services (FRS) Information Screen. To add information, select the “Add FRS Function” button. The FRS screen may be printed and given to the family reunion coordinator who will present it to the pre-screening panel for review. The pre-screening panel (Children’s Division, Legal Aid, CASA and Juvenile Court/Family Court (JCFC) Legal Unit) will review the referral information and accept or reject the referral. If the referral is accepted, the case will be given to the family reunion specialist and Children’s Division worker for a complete screening. Once it is clear that the family will benefit from the services and the enrollment criteria has been met, the case will be referred to the family court where their legal unit will initiate action with the commissioner involved. The family reunion coordinator requests the detention hearing returning the children to the family. The hearing will be held within two (2) weeks. A review hearing will be scheduled approximately 90 days from the detention hearing. A second review hearing will be held 60-90 days from the first review hearing to determine if the family can be released from jurisdiction.

The Children’s Service Worker is responsible for ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved. Although the family reunion specialist will be the primary person working with the family, the worker should meet the family reunion specialist and the family weekly and attend all staffings. Staffings are generally held every two (2) weeks.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)

Memoranda History: