Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families District of Columbia

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: § 4-1301.09a

Efforts by the agency to preserve and reunify the family

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: § 4-1301.09a

Prior to the removal of the child from the home to prevent or eliminate the need for removing the child

To make it possible for the child to safely return home

If return home is inconsistent with the child's permanency plan, efforts to place the child in accordance with that plan in order to finalize a permanent placement

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: § 4-1301.09a

Reasonable efforts to reunify are not required if the parent:

Subjected a sibling or other child to cruelty, abandonment, torture, chronic abuse, or sexual abuse

Committed or attempted to commit murder or voluntary manslaughter of a sibling or other child

Committed a felony assault against the child, a sibling, or other child

Had his or her parental rights terminated involuntarily with respect to a sibling