When must the court make the “reasonable efforts to prevent or eliminate the need for removal” finding?
This judicial determination must be made no more than 60 days from the date the child is removed from the home of his or her parents or legal guardians; however, the efforts must have been made prior to the childs removal from the home. It is the best practice and recommended that this determination be made at the initial hearing removing the child from the home. If this judicial determination is NOT made within the 60-day period, the child will NEVER be eligible for federal funding for that stay in foster care. If the case is audited, federal funds for the entire duration of that child’s stay in foster care must be returned to the federal government. 6. What if the child welfare or probation department did not provide any services to prevent or eliminate removal because even with services the child could not safely remain in the home due to the circumstances that made removal necessary? It is the level of effort by the department that must be found to have been reasonable. The departm
