System

This training, offered exclusively for current guardians and staff with the Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program and Richland County CASA, will provide an overview for guardians and their attorneys of the quality hearing and reasonable efforts measures that govern DSS actions in every child welfare case. The guardians will gain a better understanding of 1) the reasonable efforts DSS has to make to prevent removal from a parent or custodian, 2) how to assess DSS’ plan of services to reunite the child with the family or in making kinship placements where possible, and 3) the reasonable efforts DSS has to make to finalize a child’s permanent plan. This training will explain the different stages in the case where DSS must make reasonable efforts to meet state and federal requirements. Guardians will also better understand their role in monitoring the reasonable efforts made by DSS. This training will be offered on a virtual platform. The links will be sent to each registrant near the date of the training.