ASFA/Concurrent Planning

In 1997, a federal law called the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) was passed in an effort to promote permanency and safety for children in out of home care who are in the custody of a Child Welfare agency.

The hope is that children will have a permanent home and family to grow up with that will keep them safe. When a child is placed into foster care, there are different options for permanency. They are:

• Returning home when it has been determined to be safe
• Placed for Adoption
• Referred for Legal Guardianship
• Placed in another permanent living arrangement

When a child is placed from a parent's home, there are hearings held in Juvenile Court to determine if the child should remain in placement or if the child should return home. When a child has been in out of home care for 12 months there is a Permanency Hearing, to decide the Permanent goal, out of the options listed above.

The law requires parents to show that they have corrected the issues that brought the child into care, within one year of the child's placement. If parents have not made the necessary changes and their child has been in placement for 15 out of the past 22 months, the child could be placed for adoption.

This law sets strict time limits and deadlines for both parents and the Agency. Should a parent not make the necessary changes for their child to return home safely, parental rights could be terminated without the parent's agreement.

It is important that parents work with their caseworker and the Agency to resolve the issues that brought the child into care, and that they comply with the goals outline by the Juvenile Court.

Concurrent Planning

As soon as a child enters out of home care, a plan is developed with the parents and all involved parties to provide a safe and permanent home for the child. The Agency has a responsibility to make sure that children are in out of home care only temporarily, and therefore Concurrent Planning is often utilized when determining appropriate services for the child and family.

Concurrent planning provides for reunification services to take place with the family, while simultaneously developing an alternative plan for the child. This type of planning focuses on setting clear goals, being honest with parents about supports, and establishes time limits for working with parents. Adoption is a possible alternative plan that can be identified if the child is not reunified with his or her family.