Reasonable Efforts to Reunify Families Kentucky

What Are Reasonable Efforts

Statute: § 620.020

'Reasonable efforts' means the exercise of ordinary diligence and care by the department to utilize all preventive and reunification services available to the community necessary to enable to child to live safely at home.

When Reasonable Efforts Are Required

Statute: § 620.020

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To strengthen the family unit

To secure reunification of the family and child where appropriate, as quickly as practicable

To prevent the future removal of the child from the family

When Reasonable Efforts Are NOT Required

Statute: §§ 610.127; 620.020

Reasonable efforts shall not be required if a court determines that the parent has:

Subjected the child to aggravated circumstances:

The parent has not had contact with the child for not less than 90 days

The parent is incarcerated for at least 1 year and there is no appropriate relative to care for the child

The parent has sexually abused the child and refused available treatment

The parent has engaged in abuse of the child that required removal 2 or more times in the last 2 years

The parent has caused serious physical injury

Been convicted of having caused the death of another child of the parent

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

Engaged in a pattern of conduct due to alcohol or drug abuse that has rendered the parent incapable of caring for the immediate and ongoing needs of the child, and the parent has refused or failed to complete a treatment plan

Mental illness or retardation that places the child at substantial risk of harm even if services were provided to the parent for 12 months

Other circumstances that make reasonable efforts inconsistent with the best interests and permanency plan of the child