Engaging relatives in child welfare cases

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Relative engagement in child welfare cases

Relatives are valuable resources for children, and Oregon recognizes and honors the importance of relationships with parents, siblings, grandparents and other relatives. DHS is committed to advocating for and implementing a strong partnership with extended family in order to better serve the needs of children who come into the child welfare system.

This year, DHS is developing administrative rules concerning the engagement of relatives in child welfare cases. The agency will take the following actions:

• Revise the current administrative rules to reflect the Department's requirement to make diligent efforts to place a child with his or her relatives throughout the life of a case.
   
  
• Incorporate into administrative rule the requirement to not only search for relatives both as a placement resource and as a resource to provide safe and appropriate connection and support to children in substitute care.
   
  
• Develop administrative rules which can be implemented within current resources
   
  
• Develop administrative rules which promote a strong, consistent practice that is achievable throughout the state.
   
  
• Develop administrative rules which guide casework staff on the timely assessment of identified relatives -- this may include working with identified relatives who live outside the area or state.

The Department is in the process of revising administrative rules regarding engagement of a child's relatives in child welfare cases. The Department anticipates current child welfare rules I-A.4.5, OAR 413-010-0300 through 413-010-0340, Rights of Relatives http://www.dhs.state.or.us/policy/childwelfare/manual_1/i-a45.pdf will become obsolete and replaced with new rules.

In proposing new rules, the Department has drafted a set of rules on safety service providers, I-AB.7, Assessment of Safety Service Providers, which includes, but is not limited to a child's relatives. A second set of rules describes the Department's responsibilities in engaging a child's relatives as a safety service provider, substitute caregiver, or a relative who provides ongoing connection and support to the child's family. This set of administrative rules will replace the current I-E.1.1 Working with Relatives Toward Placement of Children, OAR 413-070-0060 through 413-070-0093, http://www.dhs.state.or.us/policy/childwelfare/manual_1/i-e11.pdf

Proposed New Administrative Rules -- We Want Your Input and Ideas!

• Safety Service Providers draft rules
  • Review draft rules
  • Submit your comments
    
    
• Searching for and Engaging Relatives draft rules
  • Review draft rules
  • Submit your comments 

In the coming months, we will be seeking more input through surveys and questionnaires.

Here is a DRAFT brochure we are working on, and we welcome your review and comment on this pamphlet, too.
 
Relative Rights (PDF)

Contact information

For more information, please contact:

AJ Goins, Assistant Manager

Foster Care Program

a.j.goins@state.or.us

503-945-6897