4.18 Placement with the Non-Custodial Parent

Placement with the non-custodial parent and other relatives should be considered for emergency or crisis situations when immediate placement must be sought. All placements with non-custodial parents or relatives including those where DCFS does not take custody but the placement is a condition of the safety plan, require the CPSW to:

• Conduct a background check via CANTS and LEADS. Review positive and negative matches with the supervisor
• Check for existing court orders (divorce, custody, visitation, etc). If found, consult regional legal counsel
• Notify the custodial parent of the plan to place with the non-custodial parent or relative and address any issues or concerns the custodial parent may express regarding this plan
• Conduct safety and risk assessment
• Complete the Placement Conditions Checklist for any unlicensed caregiver (including custodial and non-custodial parents)
• Begin to assess the relative's or non-custodial parent's ability to provide permanency for the child including the nature and frequency of previous contacts
• Assess the nature and history of the child's relationship to the prospective caregiver and the caregiver's previous financial support for the child