Reunification is the critical process of safely returning a child to their parents or guardians after the court determines that it is in the child’s best interest. The timeline for reunification in juvenile dependency cases depends on several factors.
Initial removal and case plan
When the county removes a child from their home due to abuse, neglect, or safety concerns, the court becomes involved immediately. Parents receive a case plan outlining steps to address the issues leading to removal, such as attending parenting classes, completing substance abuse treatment, or securing stable housing.
All parties, especially parents, must meet in person and sign paperwork to ensure that everyone is aware of and in agreement with the measures required for reunion.
Review hearings
The court conducts regular judicial review hearings to monitor the parents’ progress on the case plan. There are these hearings at least once every six months. The first review happens either 90 days after the court approves the case plan or six months after the county removed the kid, whichever comes first.
Reunification timeline
Reunification typically occurs over the course of six months to a year. A permanent hearing needs to take place no later than 12 months following the child’s removal. Reunification can happen faster if both parents make progress and the court thinks it’s safe. If parents fail to make adequate progress, the court may extend the timeline or consider other permanent options, such as adoption or guardianship.
Final decision
The judge may decide to reunite parents with their child if they finish the case plan and demonstrate that they can provide a stable, safe environment. These can include long-term guardianship or permanent custody arrangements with relatives. As a last resort, the court may proceed with terminating parental rights.
Moving forward with reunification goals
In Florida’s juvenile dependency cases, parents need to stay focused on meeting the goals in their case plan in order to get their child back with them. The ultimate goal in juvenile dependency cases is to achieve a safe and stable environment for the child.
