4.2  Time-Limited Services

Families have a right to be free of unnecessary interference.  Division intervention into their lives will not be open-ended.

The purpose of intervention is to assist families in changing the conditions that bring harm to the child as quickly as possible.  In doing this, consideration must be given to the emotional, sociological and environmental circumstances of the family and its members.

All efforts should be made to reduce risks and achieve case goals within one (1) or two (2) treatment periods.  (A treatment period is defined as the time necessary to complete an assessment/reassessment and the subsequent Written Service Agreement.)  A treatment period shall not exceed four (4) months (120 days), allowing a maximum thirty (30) days for the assessment/reassessment, and a maximum of ninety (90) days for the treatment plans.

Not all cases can be closed within one or two treatment periods.  Services may be continued as long as necessary to achieve treatment goals and thereby reduce risk.

Case consultations and supervisory reviews are required to determine if clear justification exists for a case to remain open at the completion of a treatment period.