If the caseworker makes concerted efforts to engage each parent in service planning and the parent refuses to cooperate, the caseworker must develop the family’s service plan without the parent.

The caseworker must document in the plan the:

  •  reasons for the parent’s lack of participation; and

  •  caseworker’s attempts to secure the parent’s participation.

After completing the family’s service plan, the caseworker must ask the parent to sign it and give the parent a copy of the plan, whether the parent is willing to sign. However, the plan does not take effect unless the parent signs it or the plan is made an order of the court. See 5520 The Family’s Service and Visitation Plans: Filing and Review Requirements .

Texas Family Code, §263.103External Link

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1321External Link