Examples of Contrary to Welfare and Reasonable Efforts Language

For Juvenile Justice Cases:

• *It is contrary to the welfare of the community for John not to be placed in secure detention as a consequence for his criminal behavior. Likewise, it is contrary John’s welfare to not be placed in secure detention. Placing him in secure detention will protect himself and others by deterring him from committing serious crimes.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid placement in secure detention by supervising a previous six month Deferred Prosecution Agreement with John, offering and setting up appropriate services for the family, and scheduling two intake conferences that the family did not attend.
  
  
• *It is contrary to the welfare of Joe’s family for Joe not to be placed in foster care, as he continually is violent towards them. It is contrary to Joe’s welfare for him to not be placed in foster care as his family is forced to defend themselves when Joe gets violent, which could lead to Joe being harmed, and there are no other family members available to care for Joe.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid placement by counseling the family, trying to set up parameters regarding safety in the home, and exploring extended family members caring for Joe. These efforts failed as all family members do not feel safe with Joe remaining in the home and no extended family members are available to care for Joe.
  
  
• *It is contrary to Jane’s welfare for her to remain in the home as her parents have failed to properly supervise Jane, thereby allowing Jane to engage in activities that put her in danger (i.e. ingesting alcohol and illegal drugs, having unprotected intercourse, etc.).
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid placement by providing the Family Training Program and attempting to assist the parents with supervision guidelines for Jane.
  
  
  *For Contrary to the Welfare Language, make sure you state how it’s contrary to the welfare of the child, not just the community.
  
  
  
  

  For Child Protection Cases:

• It is contrary to John’s welfare for him to remain in the home as the Department of Human Services has found severe and frequent bruises on his body that endanger his safety. The Department has also determined that these bruises have been caused by his father when attempting to discipline John.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid the placement by providing intensive, in-home therapy to the family and by providing respite childcare.
  
  
• It is contrary to Jane’s welfare for her to remain in her parent’s home as she has sustained a broken arm while in the care of her parents. Jane is too young to protect herself and is nonverbal.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid the placement by beginning the investigation process to determine how Jane sustained her injuries.
  
  
• It is contrary to Joe’s welfare for him to remain in the home as he has special needs that his mother is unable to meet for reasons other than poverty.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid the placement by arranging for the public health nurse to come into the home to show Joe’s mother how to properly care for him. Such efforts have failed as Joe is still in danger when in the care of his mother.
  
  
• It is contrary to Martha’s welfare to remain in her parent’s home, as the conditions in the home are unsafe for a child of her age.
  
  
• The Department of Human Services has made reasonable efforts to avoid this placement by beginning the process of assisting the family in making their home safe.