Working with Child Deprivation Cases in Georgia's Juvenile Courts

If a 30-day case plan is submitted to the court which contains a plan for reunification services, it must also address each of the following items:

1. Each reason requiring the removal of the child;
2. the purpose for which the child was placed in foster care, including a statement of the reason why the child cannot be adequately protected at home and the harm which may occur if the child remains in the home;
3. the services offered and provided to prevent the removal of the child from the home;
4. a discussion of how the plan is designed to achieve a placement in the least restrictive, most family-like setting available and in close proximity to the home of the parents, consistent with the best interests and special needs of the child;
5. a clear description of the specific actions taken by the parents and specific services provided by DFCS or other appropriate agencies in order to bring about the identified changes that must be made in order to return the child to the home. (all services and actions required of the parents not directly related to the circumstances necessitating separation cannot be made conditions for the return of the child without further court review).
6. specific time frames in which the goals of the plan are to be accomplished to fulfill the purpose of the reunification plan;
7. the person within DFCS who is directly responsible for ensuring that the plan is implemented;
8. consideration of the advisability of reasonable visitation schedules which allow parent(s) to maintain meaningful contact with their children through personal visits, telephone calls, and letters. O.C.G.A. A. § 15-11-41(d).

If the report contains a proposed plan for reunification services, the report must be transmitted to the parents at the time it is filed with the court, along with written notice that the report will be the order of the court unless, within five days from the receipt of the report, the parents request a court hearing to review the contents of the report. If no hearing is requested, the court shall enter a disposition order or supplemental order adopting the parts of the plan for reunification services which the court finds essential, and specifying what must be accomplished by all parties before reunification of the family can be granted. O.C.G.A. § 15-11-41(c).