This is when the court terminates your parental rights. That means you are no longer legally your child’s parent and have no legal rights or responsibili- ties to him or her. His or her adoptive parents are his legal parents and assume parental rights and responsibilities under the law.

The reunification process in foster care is when a foster child is in the process of being reunified with their parents. Most children are able to return home to their families. There are instances in which the parent has their parental rights terminated, and then the child is placed for adoption.

6 to 12 months

Once reunification services are terminated, the focus shifts to the needs of the child for permanency and stability. At this hearing, the court can terminate parental rights if the child is likely to be adopted.

Overview. The bypass of reunification services either for one parent, a partial bypass, or for both parents, a full bypass, is a very serious action, because the parents are not provided the opportunity to reunite with their children.

A Reunification Assessment is a structured review to support and document a child’s reunification readiness decision, including a review of child safety, compliance with court orders, family conditions and dynamics, resources, strengths and protective capacities, child vulnerability and interventions needed.

Respect birth parents and be compassionate. Encourage visitation and regular contact. Communicate with the family regularly. Remember that safe reunification is best for the children.

In order to win back custody of your children, you will most likely need to work with an attorney who has experience winning similar family law cases. To find a good child custody lawyer, start by asking friends and relatives for referrals.