Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families North Carolina

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: §§ 7B-101; 7B-507

Diligent use of preventive or reunification services by a department of social services

Services or other efforts aimed at returning a juvenile to a safe home or at achieving another permanent plan

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: §§ 7B-101; 7B-507

To prevent or eliminate the need for placement of the juvenile

If a court determines that the juvenile is not to be returned home, efforts to develop and implement a permanent plan for the child

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: §§ 7B-101; 7B-507

Such efforts would clearly be futile

The parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances, including abandonment, torture, chronic abuse, or sexual abuse

Parental rights to another child have been terminated involuntarily

The parent has committed murder or voluntary
manslaughter of another child or has aided, abetted, or attempted to commit such crime

The parent has committed a felony assault that resulted in serious bodily injury to the child or another child of the parent