What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: § 19-1-103(89)

The exercise of diligence and care, to provide supportive and rehabilitative services to the family that are required to prevent unnecessary placement of the children outside the home and to foster safe reunification of a child with the child's family, or, when it is appropriate, to find and finalize an alternative permanent plan for the child.

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: § 19-1-115

To prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the home

If legal custody has been awarded to the department, efforts will be made to reunite the child and the family

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: § 19-1-115

Reasonable efforts are not required to prevent the child's removal from the home or to reunify the child and the family in the following circumstances:

When the court finds that the parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances as described in § 19-3-604

When the parental rights of the parent with respect to a sibling of the child have been involuntarily terminated, unless the prior sibling termination resulted from a parent delivering a child to a firefighter or a hospital staff member pursuant to § 19-3-304.5

When the court finds that the parent has been convicted of murder or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent; aiding, abetting, or attempting to commit such crimes; or a felony assault that resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or to another child of the parent