What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: Ch. 20, § 505/5

The department shall offer family preservation services to help families, including adoptive and extended families.

The child and his family shall be eligible for services as soon as a report is determined to be 'indicated.'

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

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Statute: Ch. 20, § 505/5

To prevent the placement of children in substitute care when the children can be cared for at home

To reunite children with their families

To maintain an adoptive placement

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: Ch. 20, § 505/5; Ch. 705, § 405/2-13.1

When a court determines that further reunification services would be ineffective.

When a parent has had parental rights to another child involuntarily terminated.

When the parent has been convicted of:

First degree murder of another child

Attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit first or second degree murder of another child

Aggravated battery, aggravated battery of a child, or felony domestic battery that has
resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent