9.19 Case Closure and Aftercare Planning

Legal Authority

If the forms are hand delivered, the SSW may close the case immediately, unless the client disagrees with the closure.
If the forms are sent via U.S. Mail, the SSW should wait ten (10) days prior to closing the case.

The SSW:

Time ordered by the court has expired;
Child reaches his/her 18th birthday;
Child has successfully complied with the case plan and the orders of the court; or
Child has been convicted of a public offense and has been committed or probated to the Department of Juvenile Justice;

Submits a letter to the court, no less than two (2) weeks prior to case closure, summarizing the case and specifying a date by which DCBS will cease supervision before closing a case;
Initiates completion of the ongoing assessment within thirty (30) days prior to closure and considers whether:

The factors surrounding the status behaviors are resolved to the point that the parent or guardian can appropriately supervise the youth;
The documented status behaviors have been reduced to the point that the child is able to function appropriately at home, school and in the community; and
The case planning goals have been achieved;

Discusses with the family the possibility of case closure concurrent to the completion of the new assessment;
Documents the mutual agreement to close the case;
Works with the family in developing an aftercare plan that focuses on preventing further status behaviors;
Links the family to community resources as necessary;
Provides the family, including identified fathers as outlined in SOP 4.14 Family Attachment and Involvement with the following forms:

DPP-154A Notice of Intended Action, advising of the intention to close the case; and
DPP-154 Protection and Permanency Service Appeal, advising of the right to a fair hearing;