Performance Goals

The Child and Family Reviews are focused on performance. We must continue to focus on strengthening families to help them provide adequate care of their children. The level, and extent of, state intervention into a family's life must be equivalent to the risk to the child. Michigan's ability to meet the needs of children and families through services must reflect the basic premises, that safety, permanency and child well-being are the major concerns of child welfare. We need to remember that permanency, child well-being and safety can, and should be, assured with their families. Services must safely reduce unnecessary out-of-home placements and the length of time that children live apart from their birth families before reunification. If reunification is not possible, services must be provided to ensure a permanent placement for children in a timely manner.