Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families California

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: Welf. & Inst. § 361.5

Child welfare services

Court ordered counseling and other treatment services, for the reunification of the child with the child's family

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: Welf. & Inst. § 361.5

Whenever a child is removed from a parent's or guardian's custody.

For a child age 3 or older, services may not exceed a period of 12 months from the date the child entered foster care

For a child under age of 3 years, services may not exceed a period of 6 months from the date the child entered foster care

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: Welf. & Inst. § 361.5

Reunification services need not be provided when the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence, any of the following:

The whereabouts of the parent are unknown

The parent has a mental disability that makes him or her incapable of utilizing services

There is a prior adjudication of physical or sexual abuse of a child

The parent caused the death of another child through abuse or neglect

The infliction of severe physical or sexual abuse on the child or a sibling

The child was conceived as a result of a sexual offense

The parent has willfully abandoned the child

Parent's rights to another child have been terminated and conditions not remedied

The parent has been convicted of a violent felony

The parent has a history of chronic use of drugs or alcohol and refused to comply with a treatment
program

The parent has indicated a lack of interest in reunification services