Sec. 5. (a) The court shall determine:

(1) whether the child's case plan, services, and placement meet the special needs and best interests of the child;

(2) whether the department has made reasonable efforts to provide family services; and

(3) a projected date for the child's return home, the child's adoption placement, the child's emancipation, or the appointment of a legal guardian for the child under section 7.5(c)(1)(E) of this chapter.

(b) The determination of the court under subsection (a) must be based on findings written after consideration of the following:

(1) Whether the department, the child, or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian has complied with the child's case plan.

(2) Written documentation containing descriptions of:

(A) the family services that have been offered or provided to the child or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;

(B) the dates during which the family services were offered or provided; and

(C) the outcome arising from offering or providing the family services.

(3) The extent of the efforts made by the department to offer and provide family services.

(4) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian has enhanced the ability to fulfill parental obligations.

(5) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian has visited the child, including the reasons for infrequent visitation.

(6) The extent to which the parent, guardian, or custodian has cooperated with the department.

(7) The child's recovery from any injuries suffered before removal.

(8) Whether any additional services are required for the child or the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and, if so, the nature of those services.

(9) The extent to which the child has been rehabilitated.

(10) If the child is placed out-of-home, whether the child is in the least restrictive, most family-like setting, and whether the child is placed close to the home of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian.

(11) The extent to which the causes for the child's out-of-home placement or supervision have been alleviated.

(12) Whether current placement or supervision by the department should be continued.

(13) The extent to which the child's parent, guardian, or custodian has participated or has been given the opportunity to participate in case planning, periodic case reviews, dispositional reviews, placement of the child, and visitation.

(14) Whether the department has made reasonable efforts to reunify or preserve a child's family unless reasonable efforts are not required under section 5.6 of this chapter.

(15) Whether it is an appropriate time to prepare or implement a permanency plan for the child under section 7.5 of this chapter.

[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-19(b) part.]

As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.35-1998, SEC.11; P.L.145-2006, SEC.318; P.L.146-2008, SEC.607.