Opinion ID: 750818
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act

Text: 5 Section 101(a) (1) of the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (AACWA) provides that in each case, reasonable efforts will be made (A) prior to the placement of a child in foster care, to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from his home, and (B) to make it possible for the child to return to his home. 42 U.S.C. § 671(a)(15) (Supp.1997). The Supreme Court, in Suter v. Artist M., 503 U.S. 347, 358-64 (1992), held that a failure to make such reasonable efforts gives rise to neither a private right of action, nor an action pursuant to § 1983. Accordingly, the district court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of all Appellees with respect to the Carrillos' private claim under the AACWA and their § 1983 claim for violation of the AACWA.