If you have provided foster care for children then you already know that every 90 days the case progress has to be reviewed by the court. If the children remain in care for 12 months then the case progresses to permanency planning status, for the children’s long-term goals. This is because regular foster care is meant to be a short-term answer to family crisis. Many studies have proven that children, who just age out of foster care without either being adopted or returned home, do not fare well in adult society. The courts, in their wisdom, have concluded that within 12 months a family should be able to work through their crisis. Unless there have been extenuating circumstances in the case, this will be the first time the caseworker can request termination of parental rights.

The court will review the progress made by the family toward the reunification goals established by the supervising agency throughout the 12-month period. If it is determined, that the family has made little or no progress, then the court will grant permission to proceed to a termination hearing. The termination hearing should occur within 45 days of permission granted. However, delays, illnesses, scheduled vacations, and overbooking can cause considerable delays.

If, on the other hand, the court finds that the family has made some progress, the children may remain in foster care. If the workers involved feel the family can possibly be reunified soon. Then the court will order the permanency planning be reviewed again in 90 days.

If the family has made significant progress towards the reunification goals, then the court may order the children returned home. Sometimes, the court will order the children returned home that very day. Other times, the court will order extended visitation, such as weekend visits. This allows the children time to get used to new parenting and allows some transition from the foster home. Young children learn that even though they leave, the people they love still exist, in another home.

The Adjudication Hearing Placing a Child in Foster Care
The Review Hearing for Your Foster Child
The Parents’ Reunification Goals When Their Children Are in Foster Care

Sending a Foster Child Home
The Tantrums Associated With Transitioning a Foster child Back Home

Photo Credit Julia Fuller 2007