(a) Services to minors are best provided in a framework that integrates service planning and delivery among multiple service systems, including the mental health system, using a team-based approach, such as a child and family team. A child and family team brings together individuals that engage with the child or youth and family in assessing, planning, and delivering services. Use of a team approach increases efficiency, and thus reduces cost, by increasing coordination of formal services and integrating the natural and informal supports available to the child or youth and family. (b) (1) For the purposes of this section, âchild and family teamâ has the same meaning as in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501. (2) In its development of the case plan, the probation agency shall consider and document any recommendations of the child and family team, as defined in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 16501. The agency shall document the rationale for any inconsistencies between the case plan and the child and family team recommendations. (c) A case plan prepared as required by Section 706.5 shall be submitted to the court. It shall either be attached to the social study or incorporated as a separate section within the social study. The case plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: (1) A description of the circumstances that resulted in the minor being placed under the supervision of the probation department and in foster care. (2) Documentation of the preplacement assessment of the minorâs and familyâs strengths and service needs showing that preventive services have been provided, and that reasonable efforts to prevent out-of-home placement have been made. The assessment shall include the type of placement best equipped to meet those needs. (3) (A) A description of the type of home or institution in which the minor is to be placed, and the reasons for that placement decision, including a discussion of the safety and appropriateness of the placement, including the recommendations of the child and family team, if available. (B) An appropriate placement is a placement in the least restrictive, most family-like environment that promotes normal childhood experiences, in closest proximity to the minorâs home, that meets the minorâs best interests and special needs. (4) Effective January 1, 2010, to ensure the educational stability of the child while in foster care, both of the following: (A) Information providing assurances that the placement agency has taken into account the appropriateness of the current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement. (B) Information providing assurances that the placement agency has coordinated with appropriate local educational agencies to ensure that the child remains in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement, or, if remaining in that school is not in the best interests of the child, that the placement agency and the local educational agency are to provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in a new school and provide all of the childâs educational records to the new school. (5) Specific time-limited goals and related activities designed to enable the safe return of the minor to the minorâs home, or in the event that return to the minorâs home is not possible, activities designed to result in permanent placement or emancipation. Specific responsibility for carrying out the planned activities shall be assigned to one or more of the following: (A) The probation department. (B) The minorâs parent or parents or legal guardian or guardians, as applicable. (C) The minor. (D) The foster parents or licensed agency providing foster care. (6) The projected date of completion of the case plan objectives and the date services will be terminated. (7) (A) Scheduled visits between the minor and the minorâs family and an explanation if no visits are made
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