When considering moving a child from substitute care back to a parent’s home, the caseworker does as follows:

• Completes and reviews criminal and CPS background checks of any adults living in the home, if not already completed.
• Completes the Reunification Assessment tool.
• Conducts a Family Reunification (FRE) staffing (see 6521 Reunification Staffing).
• Begins services to support the child and the family during the child’s transition to the parent’s home.
• Recommends that the court authorize the child to return home.

The court must approve the child’s return to the parent before DFPS returns the child home. The caseworker documents this approval and enters it in the case file.

Upon placement of the child into the parent’s home, the caseworker must review the child’s sexual history report, Attachment A, with the parent and obtain the parent’s signature. The caseworker must upload the signed document into One Case within three business days.