Identify all possible practices and strategies that address the needs of a child and family and encourage solutions which do not require court intervention.
Recognize that a child should be reunified with his or her parents whenever possible and, if not, then with other family members.
Understand the need for urgency in service delivery and decision-making for those children who do require court intervention.
Whenever possible, employ non-adversarial court processes including facilitation and mediation strategies as a means for resolving concerns.
Employ family finding strategies in recognition of the potential trauma caused by family separation.
Employ decision-making and planning strategies that are family driven.
Employ family engagement strategies as a means of insuring strength-based family centered skills for professionals serving children and families.
Employ non-adversarial, family-driven planning strategies at the initial stages of the dependency process and at any other stage at which a plan is being developed or updated.
Assure timely and thorough court hearings and expeditious decisions for each child.
Assure competent legal representation for children and parents before a shelter care hearing and throughout the legal process.
Ensure that the voices of parents or other caregivers are heard at each stage of the process.
Employ concurrent planning for permanency as each case commences and at every stage of the proceedings.
Minimize the length of time children must spend in foster care and other temporary living situations.
Accomplish timely permanency for every dependent child according to the law.
Terminate court intervention in the life of a child when that child is no longer dependent.
Identify, create and implement additional systemic improvement practices.
Ensure that recruitment activities are fully pursued to identify the best adoptive family for those children who cannot return to their families.
Ensure close coordination with Orphans’ Courts aimed at finalizing adoptions in a timely manner.
Recognize that permanent legal custodianship is a viable option when reunification or adoption is not possible.
