Effective Date: 1-30-2026
4.7.4 Addressing Barriers
Lack of Team Consensus
When lack of consensus creates a barrier to making progress or achieving the child’s permanency goal, identify action steps to be taken and by whom to address the disagreement. When a resolution cannot be found, request the court make the decision. Document for the court the factors and what Children’s Division/FCCM believes to be in the child’s best interest and why an alternate decision would not be in the child’s best interest.
Lack of Team Member Attendance
When lack of team member attendance creates a barrier to making a decision or making progress toward achieving the child’s permanency goal, inform the court how the team member’s absence is creating a barrier or delay and, when necessary, request the court make the decision.
Parent Conditions for Return and Conditions for Case Closure
The team must assess if barriers exist which impede the parent from meeting the conditions for return or conditions for case closure. The team must collaboratively identify resources or supports to help the parent/guardian to overcome those barriers.
Older Youth Exit Plan
The team must assess if barriers exist which impede the youth from achieving their exit plan. The team must collaboratively identify resources or supports to help the youth to overcome those barriers.
Team Decision Conflicts with Children’s Division’s Policy or Law
When a team’s decision is believed to conflict with Children’s Division’s policy or law, the worker must:
- Inform the meeting participants what is believed to be a violation and that CD/FCCM cannot approve or agree with the decision and consultation with a supervisor needs to occur.
- Take no action to implement the decision until further consultation occurs.
- Consult with a supervisor or manager to determine if the decision is in conflict with CD policy or law. Consult with the assigned DLS attorney as needed.
- Inform the meeting participants of the findings, and:
- Proceed with the team decision when the decision has been determined to be in accordance with law and policy and is in the child’s best interest.
- Reconvene the team members when the decision has been determined to be in conflict with law or policy or is not in the child’s best interests.
- Notify the court when the team is unable to reach a decision which meets all the requirements of law and policy and is in the child’s best interests.