here in this state children are allowed back if the parent cooperates with the treatment goals set down but the parents arent allows alot of I'll do that tomorrow kind of attitute because this state also has a law stating any open cases that are open 12 months or more automatically the code do not return to parent and in some cases temination of parental rights is done at that time.

Here in this state at the point where the child protective services are called the parents and the intake caseworker (this person is on the case only the first six months then a permanent caseworker is assigned to complete the following months.) sit right then and there working out the first goal sheet. Then within a weeks time the parents have to appear in court to answer to why the children were put in foster care, and whether or not arrest or commitments are pending. At that time they are represented by either their own lawyer or a court appointed one. During that hearing childrens services submits any further goals if need. That parent then has plenty of time to accomplish the goals set down. While the parent is accomplishing their goals, the children are placed in therapy and treatment goals are also worked up for that child.

for example - my son went into care because I was suicidal and self injury in front of my son (consciously I never did but I have memory pieces that do cut and those were rerunning in front of my son). The intake worker came to my house. before she left with my child I knew what I needed to do -

1.Schedule and see primary physician for depression and possible meds
2. schedule intake for therapy.
3. have a comprehensive psychological evaluation

I had goal 1 complete in one day - my family doctor was able to get me in that next day (the same morning that I called him)

Goal number 2 was completed aalso that next day.

goal 3 took longer because childrens servicies was paying for the evaluation so the intake worker not expecting me to be able to get right in with my doctor took care of my sons side of the case first of placement and getting him the items he needed right away his asthma meds and so on. But the testing part of the evaluation was completed within a month, the report didnt get back for 6 months. But between the intake worker and I by the court date (one week after my son being placed in care) I had a date for the psych testing.

The only other goal set before me was during court - I was mandated to follow any and all recommendations made by the testing psychiatrist. Between the date of court and the psych eval I also registered for parenting and anger management classes and entered a depression management class.

The psych eval recommendations - remain in therapy as my therapist designates, medication at my primary physicians discression and attend parenting classes.

By the time his results and recommendations came through I had been on medication and therapy for 6 months, was just completeing the parenting class and the depression management class and starting the anger management class that I wasn't mandated to take.

We were working the coming home process for my son 9 months from the date he was placed. He was home 5 months when the caseworker decided to put him back in to go through a residential treatment program. At that point the case had been open over a year so the day he was placed back in foster care the case coding of do not return automatically was placed on the case. Which basically meant the state could no longer consider anything on my side of the case, and they could no longer require me to do anything. The case now is based on my son and the things they are doing for him

By the way - an alcoholic getting drunk and passing out when there is no other responsible non drinking adult person around to care for the children is abuse called endangering a minor and neglect. Here they are given the chance to get their children back by completing a psych eval, alcohol rehab/awareness classes, and attending therapy. I know alot of parents from when I was working on completing my set goals and visiting with my son that recieved their children back. Any of those that I do know didn't get their children back (and didn't have the caseworker that got fired for harrassment, and breaking state and federal laws to keep the children) are those that basically said f* the goals. Some at the last minute tried to appear doing the work but by then it was too late.