|
Home > Systemwide > Laws & Policies > State Laws on Making Permanency Plans for Children in Care
State Laws on Making Permanency Plans for Children in Care
When a child is placed outside the home, custody is transferred from the parent to a State agency under the jurisdiction of a State court. State laws require the development of a case plan outlining services that must be provided to the family to address the problems that led to the child's placement. Laws also address requirements for periodic case reviews, grounds for termination of parental rights, and other placement issues.
State Statutes Series
Case Planning for Families Involved With Child Welfare Agencies
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008)
Requirements for developing a case plan that specifies the resources and services that must be provided whenever a child is under State agency supervision. (PDF - 190 KB)
Concurrent Planning for Permanency for Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2007)
Reviews State laws that permit an agency to plan for another permanent placement for a child at the same time efforts are made to reunify the child with his or her family of origin. (PDF - 115 KB)
Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2009)
Requirements for a system of periodic judicial reviews, case plans, and permanency options for children in out-of-home care. (PDF - 125 KB)
Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008)
Discusses State requirements, in statute or regulation, for background investigations of prospective adoptive and foster parents and all adults residing in prospective adoptive and foster households. (PDF - 127 KB)
Determining the Best Interests of the Child
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008)
Reviews factors concerning the child and the child's family that must be considered by the court when determining the best placement for a child. (PDF - 194 KB)
Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2007)
Reviews State laws that detail the specific circumstances that must be present when a court terminates the legal parent-child relationship. (PDF - 177 KB)
Placement of Children With Relatives
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008)
Reviews State laws that encourage giving preference to relatives when making foster care and adoptive placements. (PDF - 139 KB)
Reasonable Efforts to Preserve or Reunify Families and Achieve Permanency for Children
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2006)
Requirements for the provision of services to assist families in addressing the issues that brought them to the attention of the child welfare system. (PDF - 182 KB)
Standby Guardianship
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2008)
Reviews State laws that allow parents facing incapacity or death to transfer guardianship of his or her children to another adult. (PDF - 174 KB)
(Back to Top)
Related resources
Highlights of Recent Kinship Care State Legislative Enactments
National Conference of State Legislatures (2006)
This document highlights recently enacted State legislation addressing kinship care for children receiving child welfare services.
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
Dedicated to improving the courts of juvenile and family jurisdictions through training, technical assistance, and research.
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning
Training, technical assistance, and information on family-centered and community-based services for child welfare agencies.
State Child Abuse Registries (PDF - 208 KB)
National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning (2007)
Provides contact information and procedures for obtaining the checks of State child abuse and neglect registries that are required by the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.
State Child Welfare Legislation 2006 (PDF - 225 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2007)
Describes significant State legislation related to child welfare issues enacted in 2006, including citations and summaries of specific child welfare-related laws in each State.
(Back to Top)
|
