{"id":128,"date":"2016-03-06T07:32:48","date_gmt":"2016-03-06T07:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advokids.wpengine.com\/?page_id=128"},"modified":"2021-10-26T14:31:08","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T21:31:08","slug":"concurrent-planning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adevine.io\/advokids-backup\/childhood-mental-health\/concurrent-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Concurrent Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/a><\/a>aa<\/span><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning is Mandated by Law<\/h1>\n

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\"legos\"<\/p>\n

Concurrent planning in California is mandatory for all court dependent children in out-of-home care for whom reunification services have been ordered.\u00a0The purpose of concurrent planning is to honor the child\u2019s attachment needs and to expedite a permanent home for the child should reunification fail.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe social worker is required to develop two simultaneous plans for the child; one plan to facilitate reunification between parent and child, and a back-up plan for legal permanency for the child (often foster placement with prospective adoption parents) if reunification fails. Such concurrent planning is intended to avoid multiple placements and expedite permanency for children who cannot be returned to a parent.\u201d<\/p>\n

California Juvenile Dependency Practice<\/em>, Continuing Education of the Bar (2013 Edition) \u00a7 5.9;
\nWelfare and Institutions Code \u00a7\u00a7\u00a0358.1(b)<\/a>, 366.21(l)<\/a>, 16501.1(f)(10)<\/a>;\u00a0California Rules of Court 5.708(e)(2)<\/a> and 5.690(a)(1)(B)(i) and (ii)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:<\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Is Mandated By Law<\/a><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Defined<\/a><\/p>\n

Permanency Defined<\/a><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Should Honor the Child\u2019s Attachments<\/a><\/p>\n

When Concurrent Planning Occurs<\/a><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Law, Policy, and Practice<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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<\/a>a1<\/span><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Defined<\/h3>\n

\u201cConcurrent planning means to work towards family reunification while, at the same time, developing an alternative permanent plan. It is concurrent rather than sequential [permanency] planning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not a fast track to adoption, but to permanency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gerald P. Mallon, D.S.W.,\u00a0Understanding and Using Concurrent Planning<\/em> PPT<\/a>, National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning at The Hunter College of Social Work, New York.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn concurrent services planning, alternative forms of permanency are identified, and implemented early in the case planning process. The case plan addresses both how reunification can be achieved \u2026 and how legal permanency \u2026 can be achieved if efforts to reunify fail. \u2026 The development of both tracks simultaneously is necessary to achieve the goal of timely legal permanency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concurrent Services Planning: Resource Guide<\/em>, California Department of Social Services, p. I-3 (rev. 6\/19\/98 as cited in California Juvenile Courts: Practice and Procedure<\/em> (2013) \u00a72.129[9].)<\/p>\n

<\/a>a2<\/span><\/p>\n

Permanency Defined<\/h3>\n

\u201cPermanency is not a philosophical process, a plan, or a foster care placement, nor is it intended to be a family relationship that lasts only until the child turns age 18. Permanence should bring physical, legal and emotional safety and security within the context of a family relationship and allow multiple relationships with a variety of caring adults.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPermanency is the goal. Reunification is a primary but only one of several acceptable permanency goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gerald P. Mallon, D.S.W.,\u00a0Understanding and Using Concurrent Planning PPT<\/a><\/em>, National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning at The Hunter College of Social Work, New York.<\/p>\n

<\/a>a3<\/span><\/p>\n

Concurrent Planning Should Honor The Child's Attachments<\/h3>\n

Concurrent planning should honor the child\u2019s attachments and expedite a permanent home for the child, in the event reunification fails.<\/p>\n

\u201cHealthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a young child\u2019s relationships with the important people in his or her life, both within and outside the family. Even the development of a child\u2019s brain architecture depends on the establishment of these relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships: Working Paper No. 1<\/em>. <\/a>National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2004).<\/p>\n

\u201cMultiple foster care placements present a host of traumas for very young children. When a baby faces a change in placement, fragile new relationships with foster parents are severed, reinforcing feelings of abandonment and distrust. Babies grieve when their relationships are disrupted and this sadness adversely affects their development. All<\/em> placement decisions for infants and toddlers should focus on promoting security and continuity in out-of-home care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Restructuring the Federal Child Welfare System: Assuring the Safety, Permanence and Well-Being of Infants and Toddlers in the Child Welfare System<\/em> <\/a>(January 2007). Zero to Three Policy Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly secure attachments with a stable primary caregiver play a central role in a young child\u2019s social, emotional and cognitive development \u2026 Children who have experienced abuse or neglect have an even greater need for sensitive, caring and stable relationships. Placement decisions should focus on promoting security and continuity for infants and toddlers in out-of-home care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStrategies to protect the child\u2019s existing relationships include:<\/p>\n