(a) Case planning.  If the district attorney files a petition to terminate parental rights based on heinous and shocking abuse or neglect or the court makes a finding that reasonable efforts are not required, efforts begin immediately to secure an alternative permanent home for the child.

• (1) The Child Welfare (CW) worker continues contact with the parent(s) per OAC 340:75-6-48.  The purpose of the contacts differs from contacts where the permanency plan is reunification and primarily focuses on advising the parent(s) of his or her rights, roles, and responsibilities and status of the case.
• (2) Visitation between the child and parent(s) is considered on a case-by-case basis.  Decisions to suspend or terminate visitation prior to adjudication on the motion to terminate or the permanency hearing are not made without a court order.

(b) Family/Child Strengths and Needs Assessment and Individualized Service Plan.  An assessment is conducted to determine the child's individual needs.  The treatment and service plan needs are written as conditions to be met in order to successfully complete the child’s permanency plan.  

• (1) The assessment is conducted with the family in order to gather information to assist in appropriate permanency planning.
• (2) A family treatment and service plan is not developed when the child's permanency plan goal is other than reunification.
• (3) Form ODH 347, Medical and Social History Report for Adoption, is completed in order to obtain the medical, health, and social history of the child and the child’s family for the permanent record.

(c) Relative placement.  Relative placements are used with caution in cases of severe maltreatment.  The risk of parental contact jeopardizing the child's safety throughout childhood and the possibility of a history of abuse within the family structure are carefully examined.

• (1) The CW worker carefully weighs the child's need for connection with his or her biological family and for a committed, safe and healthy home.  
• (2) The child's age is a factor in making placement decisions.  For example, an older child who has a close bond with a relative may benefit, while a younger child, particularly an infant, may be better served in a non-relative adoptive home.