Case Planning for Families Involved With Child Welfare Agencies - Wyoming

When Case Plans Are Required

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-427; Code of Rules 049-0006-2, § 7

The Department of Family Services shall develop a case plan for a child when there is a recommendation to place the child outside of the home.

No later than 5 business days prior to the dispositional hearing, the multidisciplinary team shall file with the court the multidisciplinary team report that shall include the team's recommendations and the department case plan.

In regulation: A written case plan shall be completed within 60 days of out-of-home placement or 30 days of the conclusion of the investigation or assessment, whichever occurs first, on all cases that remain open for services. A concurrent plan also may be developed.

Who May Participate in the Case Planning Process

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-427

After a petition is filed alleging a child is neglected, the court shall order the department to make a predisposition study and report. While preparing the study, the department shall consult with the child's school and school district to determine the child's educational needs.

Within 10 days after a petition is filed alleging a child is neglected, the court shall appoint a multidisciplinary team. The multidisciplinary team shall include the following:

• A representative of the school district who has direct knowledge of the child and, if the child receives special education, is a member of the child's individualized education plan team
• The child's psychiatrist, psychologist, or mental health professional
• The district attorney or his or her designee
• The child's attorney or guardian ad litem, if one is appointed by the court
• The volunteer lay advocate, if one is appointed by the court
• The foster parent

In addition to the persons above, the court may appoint one or more of the following persons to the multidisciplinary team:

• The child
• A relative
• If the predispositional study indicates a parent or child has special needs, an appropriate representative of the Department of Health's Substance Abuse, Mental Health, or Developmental Disabilities Division who has knowledge of the services available in the State's system of care that are pertinent to those identified needs
• Other professionals or persons who have particular knowledge relating to the child or his or her family, or expertise in children's services and the child or parent's specific disability or special needs, including linguistic and cultural needs

Contents of a Case Plan

Citation: Ann. Stat. § 14-3-427; Code of Rules 049-0006-2, § 7

The study and report of the department shall cover the following:

• The performance of the child in school, including whether the child received special education service and how his or her goals and objectives might be affected by the court's disposition
• The presence of child abuse and neglect or domestic violence histories, past acts of violence, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, or physical impairments, and the necessary services to accommodate the disabilities and impairments
• The presence of any mental health or substance abuse risk factors, including current participation in counseling, therapy, or treatment
• Other matters relevant to treatment of the child, including any pertinent family information, or proper disposition of the case, including any information required by § 21-13-315(d)

The multidisciplinary team shall review the child's personal and family history, school records, mental health records, the records maintained by the department, and any other pertinent information, for the purpose of making case planning recommendations. To the extent appropriate, the team shall involve the child in the development of the recommendations.

In regulation: The case plan shall be based on the following:

• The safety assessment and plan
• Risk assessment
• The service needs of the child and family

The department shall provide services consistent with the case plan.