Reasonable Efforts to Preserve or Reunify Families

“Reasonable efforts” is a legal term that refers to the activities of a state’s social services agencies that are focused on providing assistance and services needed to preserve or reunify a family. Federal mandates require States to make reasonable efforts to reunify families prior to the placement of a child in foster care. The goal is to prevent, or eliminate, the need for removal of the child from their home. And above all, to make it possible for a child to remain, or return, safely to their home. The laws for child welfare agencies are different by state, but the goal of each is to make reasonable efforts to provide services that will help families remedy the circumstances that bought the child into the child welfare system. 

What are reasonable efforts?

Most states have a broad interpretation of what “reasonable efforts” entail. The ambiguity from state to state is one reason having legal representation well versed in your state’s laws is vital to your family’s reunification process. Generally speaking, reasonable efforts means accessible, available and culturally appropriate services that are developed to improve the safety and stability of homes for children with their families. Some refer to these efforts as “family reunification,” “family preservation,” “family support,” and “preventative services.” These efforts will include things like family therapy, parenting classes, treatment for substance abuse, respite care, parent support groups, home visits and more. 

What reasonable efforts are required?

Reasonable efforts are services and supports that are provided by the state’s child welfare agencies to assist a family in addressing the problems, or issues, that place a child at risk of harm. The goal is always to prevent the need for substitute care or reducing the time the child must be stay out of the home. The services are geared towards increasing the family strength and stability, increasing the parent’s confidence and competence, affording the child with a safe and stable home, as well as a support family environment. Some statutes in states also require than when the court deems family reunification not in the best interest of the child that efforts should be made to finalize another permanent placement

Finding legal representation to walk you, your family, your child or your foster family through the ebbs and flows of reasonable efforts is critical for the success and well being of the child.