2006 Indiana Code - CHAPTER 15. CASE PLAN

IC 31-34-15
     Chapter 15. Case Plan

IC 31-34-15-1
Requirement of case plan
    31-34-15-1 Sec. 1. In accordance with federal law, a case plan is required for each child in need of services who is under the supervision of the county as a result of:
        (1) out-of-home placement; or
        (2) issuance of a dispositional decree under IC 31-34-20.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.

IC 31-34-15-2
Time for completion
    31-34-15-2 Sec. 2. The department, after negotiating with the child's parent, guardian, or custodian, shall complete a child's case plan not later than sixty (60) days after:
        (1) the date of the child's first placement; or
        (2) the date of a dispositional decree;
whichever comes first.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.302.

IC 31-34-15-3
Provision of copy of completed case plan
    31-34-15-3 Sec. 3. A copy of the completed case plan shall be sent to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian not later than ten (10) days after the plan's completion.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17.

IC 31-34-15-4
Form; contents
    31-34-15-4 Sec. 4. A child's case plan must be set out in a form prescribed by the department that meets the specifications set by 45 CFR 1356.21. The case plan must include a description and discussion of the following:
        (1) A permanent plan for the child and an estimated date for achieving the goal of the plan.
        (2) The appropriate placement for the child based on the child's special needs and best interests.
        (3) The least restrictive family-like setting that is close to the home of the child's parent, custodian, or guardian if out-of-home placement is recommended. If an out-of-home placement is appropriate, the county office or department shall consider whether a child in need of services should be placed with the child's suitable and willing blood or adoptive relative caretaker, including a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, or an adult sibling, before considering other out-of-home placements for the child.
        (4) Family services recommended for the child, parent,

guardian, or custodian.
        (5) Efforts already made to provide family services to the child, parent, guardian, or custodian.
        (6) Efforts that will be made to provide family services that are ordered by the court.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.303.

IC 31-34-15-5
Cooperation in development of plan
    31-34-15-5 Sec. 5. Each foster parent of a child and the department shall cooperate in the development of the case plan for the child. The department shall discuss with at least one (1) foster parent of a child the foster parent's role regarding the following:
        (1) Rehabilitation of the child and the child's parents, guardians, and custodians.
        (2) Visitation arrangements.
        (3) Services required to meet the special needs of the child.
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.304.

IC 31-34-15-6
Filing of paternity action by local prosecuting attorney's office
    31-34-15-6 Sec. 6. (a) This section applies whenever a child who was born out of wedlock is:
        (1) or is alleged to be a child in need of services; and
        (2) under the supervision of the department or a county office as a result of a court ordered out-of-home placement.
    (b) The department or the county office shall refer a child's case to the local prosecuting attorney's office for the filing of a paternity action if the:
        (1) identity of the alleged father is known; and
        (2) department or the county office reasonably believes that establishing the paternity of the child would be beneficial to the child.
The local prosecuting attorney's office shall file a paternity action regarding each case that is referred under this subsection. The department shall sign the paternity petition as the child's next friend.
As added by P.L.103-1997, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.305.