1. (a)

   1. (1) The case plan is a written document that is a discrete part of the case record between the family and the Division of Children and Family Services that outlines a plan of services and supports and articulates needed changes in order to ensure the child’s safety.

   2. (2) The case plan:

      1. (A) Addresses the family’s needs;
      2. (B) Builds on the family’s strengths;
      3. (C) Outlines the roles and responsibilities of all involved parties; and
      4. (D) Provides appropriate timeframes in which each action listed on the case plan will be completed.
   3. (3) The ultimate goal of the case plan is to assist the family in rectifying the issues that resulted in division involvement.
   4. (4) Case plans will be developed after a thorough assessment of a family’s strengths and needs.
   5. (5) The strengths and needs identified via the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) will inform the development of the case plan for supportive and in-home services case plans.
   6. (6) The strengths and needs identified via the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) functional assessment will inform the development of the case plan for out-of-home cases.

   7. (7) Using the information from the FAST or CANS, as applicable, to help identify priority needs and strengths, the case plan will then be developed with the involvement of:

      1. (A) Family;
      2. (B) The age-appropriate children;
      3. (C) The foster parents (if applicable) and the attorney ad litem (if there is court involvement);
      4. (D) The Family Service Worker; and
      5. (E) Any other involved parties.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The case plan will be updated as necessary following updates to the FAST and/or CANS.
   2. (2) Consideration of the health and safety of a child must be included in case planning for children involved in all case types.
   3. (3) No child in an out-of-home placement will have a case plan goal of reunification for longer than twelve (12) months, unless otherwise ordered by the court.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "02/2015"