Fostering Change: Concurrent Case Planning

BY CHARLICE BYRD

Last month, my article noted that the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) has reported 350 children are freed for adoption (the birth parents’ rights have been terminated by the state). In order to be eligible for adoption, certain milestones must be met.

Children in care have a case plan goal of reunification, adoption, another planned permanent living arrangement and/or independent living. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (https://bit.ly/3idNj72) established specific time frame goals after finding the number of children sitting in care “adrift” were not finding permanency. When children enter care, parents typically are offered a case plan of reunification. The time window allows the family to complete necessary tasks to reduce or eliminate safety concerns and place the child(ren) back into the home.

Concurrent case planning is a type of permanency planning in which reunification services are provided to the family of the child at the same time an alternative permanency plan is made for the child, in case reunification efforts fail (www.childwelfare. gov). Concurrent case planning was introduced to “hope for the best and plan for the worst.” Parents with a history of poor choices and unsuccessful outcomes qualify for a concurrent case plan. This means parents must get it together in a timely manner, or the children will be freed for adoption. However, concurrent case planning is not always used. When it is not, parents have 12 months (and, often more) to start and stop court-ordered tasks while children wait in foster care for the family to reunify.

With case manager turnover and poorly trained workers who do not document “reasonable efforts” or ensure parents have been given timely referrals for services, children wait. As time passes, kids become increasingly frustrated with being in a temporary situation and the never-ending promises of returning home “soon.” As weeks turn into months, and months turn into years, many children sit in care at the mercy of case managers.

As time passes and behaviors increase, children often are moved from a foster home to a base, additional and/or maximum-level facility, and some ultimately are moved to a psychiatric residential treatment facility. Next month, I will discuss how we can help ensure the agency tasked with child welfare best serves children taken from bad situations, and sets them on a path to success.

• Feb. 7 | 5:30 - 7:30

Tavern at Towne Lake 1003 Towne Lake Hills E. Woodstock, GA 30189

• Feb. 9 | 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Copeland’s of New Orleans 1142 Ernest W. Barrett Pkwy. NW Kennesaw, GA 30144

• March 7 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Venue Marietta 855 Church St Marietta, GA 30060

Please RSVP by Feb. 4 for Feb. sessions or Feb. 28 for March session by calling 470-467-2621 or emailing info@nelsoneldercarelaw.com.

The sessions will begin promptly at 6 p.m. Nelson Elder Care Law 2230 Towne Lake Parkway | Building 1200, Suite 120 Woodstock, GA 30189 | NelsonElderCareLaw.com