Children are not supposed to remain in foster care forever. Family Court reviews Voluntary Placement cases every 18 months to see what the long-term plans for the children are. If the parent fails to plan for the child's return, it can be used as evidence of neglect. Planning for the child's return can include getting drug treatment, housing, counseling, or parenting skills education, as well as other things a parent may need to do before ACS will allow the child to go home. Parents have a right to visitation while children are in foster care at least twice a month at the agency, unless visitation poses a risk to the child's health or safety.
Parents can go to court to ask for more visitation.
Failure to visit can be used as evidence of neglect. Being late for visits or not showing up for scheduled visits can also be used as evidence of neglect against the parent. They are supposed to be consulted about decisions other than minor ones. However, if the parent does not stay involved with the foster care agency, the agency may not be able to notify the parent.