What is a service plan?

What is a service plan?
When you become involved with the child welfare system, you will be involved in
making a written “service plan.” This plan is like an agreement between you and
the child welfare agency.
Service plans should describe the following:
• the reason your child is involved in the child welfare system
• your family’s strengths and needs
• your child’s strengths and needs
• your child’s and family’s goals
• actions you and the child welfare system are to take
• services you and your child are to receive and participate in
• a time period for working on these things

If your child is living at home with you, the service plan will describe what needs
to happen so that she will be safe and can continue to live in your home. If your
child is in out-of-home placement, the service plan states the reason she came into
care. It will say what needs to happen for her to be returned home and for the
child welfare agency to no longer be involved with your family.
You will be asked to sign the service plan. You will receive a copy of the service
plan to keep.