Reunification support services are critical to a successful family reunion. Reciprocal and open communication between the Children’s Service Worker, parents, child, resource provider, and external agencies providing services to the family or child is essential to identifying services needed for successful family reunification. Services should be consistent with the individual needs of family members. The following represents the minimum expectations for worker contact with the family:
- Assure face-to-face contact with family and child in the home occurs once a week for the first month of reunification by the Children’s Service Worker
- The Children’s Service Worker must update the NCFAS G+R interim fields during the first 30 days of reunification and complete the Risk Re-Assessment, CS-16E
- Face-to-face contact with parent(s) and child(ren) in the home according to the minimum contact standards indicated on the Risk Re-Assessment, CS-16E, thereafter until the court terminates jurisdiction
- Identify community supports needed to aid family reintegration
- Continue any specialized treatment services needed to maintain the family stability and prevent reoccurrence of behaviors which resulted in the original placement
- Continue any needed referrals and assistance to the parent(s)
- Contact by telephone, as needed
- Determine that the family demonstrates adequate care of children and termination of services can be considered
- Determine with the parents a projected date for case closing and
- Conduct a closure visit after the court terminates jurisdiction, at which time the Children’s Service Worker should complete the NCFAS G+R closure fields and the Termination of Services/Aftercare Plan, CD-14D
Issues that the Children’s Service Worker should discuss with the family and child during contacts should include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- The progressive periods of child’s adjustment (i.e., separation and grief, honeymoon, testing of limits, etc.);
- Parents’ uncertainty about their ability to adequately meet the child’s needs
- Increased responsibility for meeting child’s needs for safety and security
- How family relationships have been affected by the child’s return home and
- What services have been helpful and what additional services are needed.
The Children’s Service Worker should utilize the Parental Home Visit Checklist (CD-83) to address these issues and to assess the continued safety of the child(ren) in the parental home.