Study in Support of Permanency Plan and to Maintain/Revoke Commitment

Policy Manual

Superior Court For Juvenile Matters

46-3-22.1
Study in Support of Permanency Plan and to Maintain/Revoke Commitment - Transfer of Guardianship

Study in Support of Permanency Plan	The Study in Support of Permanency Plan shall be submitted at the time the Motion for Review of Permanency Plan is filed. The title of the Social Study shall also indicate what action DCF is requesting that the court take regarding the commitment: maintain commitment, revoke commitment, and/or transfer of guardianship. The Social Worker shall draft the study, which shall then be reviewed by the Social Work Supervisor and the Principal Attorney or Staff Attorney. The Program Supervisor shall further review and approve it.
Number of Children Per Study	The Social Worker shall complete one (1) Study in Support of Permanency Plan to address all children who were the subject of the original neglect petitions and who are still in DCF custody. When completing a Study in Support of Permanency Plan for more than one (1) child, the Social Worker shall specify the child being referred to when providing examples of conduct, individual development, or any other information unique to a particular child.
Continuing Efforts Toward Reunification	The Social Worker shall include in the study all reunification efforts undertaken. The parents’ acceptance or rejection of the services shall be specified. If the court has previously found that further reunification efforts are no longer appropriate, then the following shall be stated: “On (date) the court found that further efforts to reunify (identify by name parent or guardian) are no longer appropriate.” If reunification efforts have been made despite the prior finding by the court, then that information shall be provided as well.
Permanency Plan	The child’s health and safety shall be paramount when formulating the permanency plan. This plan shall reflect the child’s best interests and take into consideration the child’s need for permanency. The Social Worker shall identify the specific permanency plan the court is being asked to approve and indicate why this plan is in the child’s best interests. The Social Worker shall state in the child’s concurrent plan whether the prognosis for reunification within six (6) months is poor. The Social Worker shall address the reunification efforts made by the Department to achieve the plan that has been in effect for the previous twelve (12) months. If the permanency plan is not reunification, transfer of guardianship, TPR, or long-term foster care with an identified relative, the Social Worker shall state compelling reasons for not choosing one of these preferred plans.
Copies and Signatures	The study, as part of the motion package, shall be reviewed by the Principal Attorney for legal sufficiency and signed by the Social Worker, Social Work Supervisor and Program Supervisor. One (1) original is provided to the Attorney General’s Office with the motion package. One (1) copy is placed in the legal section of the Uniform Case Record.

Connecticut Department of Children and Families Effective Date: November 1, 2005 (Revised)

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