Court Hearings for the Permanent Placement of Children - Virgin Islands

Schedule of Hearings

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2554

The status of a child removed from the home shall be reviewed at least once every 6 months following the initial order of disposition.

Persons Entitled to Attend Hearings

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2554

Notice of a hearing must be provided to any party to the proceeding.

Determinations Made at Hearings

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2554

At the hearing, the court shall determine the following:

• What services have been provided or offered to the parents to facilitate reunion
• Whether the parents or guardians are satisfied with the services offered
• The extent to which the parents have visited the child and any reasons why visitation has not occurred or has been infrequent
• Whether the agency is satisfied with the level of the parent's cooperation
• Whether additional services are needed to facilitate the return of the child to his or her parents or guardian
• When the return of the child may be expected

Permanency Options

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 5, § 2501

Permanency options include the following:

• Return to the parent
• Adoption
• Placement in another permanent setting