Rule 217 – Review Hearings. (90 days*)

May 15, 2021 | Delaware, Family Law

(a) A Review Hearing shall be held within ninety (90) days of the Dispositional Hearing. Subsequent Review Hearings shall be held at the Court’s discretion until a Permanency Hearing is held.

(b) At the Review Hearing, the Court shall evaluate and subsequently issue a written order, regarding:

(1) the safety of the child;

(2) the necessity for and appropriateness of the child’s placement;

(3) the delivery of services to the child and whether the needs of the child, including but not limited to educational, medical and mental health, are being met;

(4) where the permanency plan is reunification with a parent, the extent of compliance with the case plan by the parent and DSCYF;

(5) the extent of progress made toward alleviating or mitigating the causes necessitating the placement of the child into care;

(6) the projected date of the safe return of the child to the parent or placement for adoption, guardianship or permanent guardianship; and

(7) whether independent living services are appropriate and are being provided pursuant to Rule 222 and 29 Del. C. ยง 9003(14).

Del. Fam. Ct. R. Civ. P. 217

Re-numbered and amended January 28, 2015, eff. April 20, 2015.

*Denotes time guidelines reflective of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which can be adjusted as deemed necessary by the Court.