If a parent lives outside the U.S., the service plan must reflect the services available in the parent’s community. A service plan should not require a parent to enter the U.S. to participate in a service, unless a parent can legally do so. As with any parent, the service plan should focus on specific issues the parent must address to safely care for the child in question.

To find out about available services in Mexico, caseworkers must contact the CPS border liaison staff or the CPS immigration specialists who work closely with Mexican consular staff.

For other countries, information about available social services may be available on the Internet (search for government agencies for child protection, substance abuse and related issues) from foreign consul representatives, or the International Social ServicesExternal Link office. CPS immigration specialists are also available to assist in this process.