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Court and your case · Question

What is a DFCS case plan in Georgia?

Last verified Oct 18, 2026 · Sources: PAMMS 10.23 · PAMMS 17.2 · PAMMS 19.3

Short answer

DFCS policy 10.23 says the written case plan "is developed jointly with the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child in foster care," and that DFCS will "develop the initial case plan in partnership with the family during a Family Team Meeting (FTM) meeting within 25 calendar days of the child entering foster care." The same policy says the case plan and the child's status are to be "reviewed no less frequently than once every six months by the court or by an administrative review."

Verified Oct 18, 2026 Source: DFCS policy 10.23, Case Planning

We're not attorneys, and this is not legal advice

Below we quote Georgia DFCS policy word for word and link to it instead of interpreting it. Policy and court orders can differ, and a court order controls. If your family is involved in a court case, ask an attorney, or the advocates assigned to the case, what applies to you.

What is in a case plan?

DFCS policy lists what the written plan must include. Some of the items, quoted from the policy: Verified Oct 18, 2026

  • "a description of the circumstances that resulted in the child being placed under the jurisdiction of the court and in foster care (e.g., reasons for removal)."
  • "specific time-limited outcomes and related tasks designed to address the everyday life tasks the family is struggling with and enable the safe return of the child to his or her home, or, if return to his or her home is not possible, activities designed to result in permanent placement or emancipation."
  • "a schedule for visitation between the child and his/her parents, siblings and any other appropriate kin (relatives and fictive kin) and an explanation if no visits are scheduled."
  • "the person within DFCS who is directly responsible for ensuring the case plan is implemented."

The policy also lists "a recommendation for a permanency plan for the child," the child's health and education records, and, for a child who has attained 14 years of age, "a written description of the programs and services that will help such child prepare for the transition from foster care to a successful adulthood." Read the full list in PAMMS 10.23.

Who writes it, and what is a parent's role?

In PAMMS 10.23's words, the written case plan "is developed jointly with the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the child in foster care" and includes "custodial and non-custodial parents and any incarcerated parents unless it has been determined by the court not to be in the best interest of the child." Verified Oct 18, 2026

The plan must also include "a statement that the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child and the child have had an opportunity to participate in the development of the case plan, to review the case plan, to sign the case plan and to receive a copy of the plan or an explanation about why such persons were not able to participate or sign the case plan." Verified Oct 18, 2026

PAMMS 10.23 says DFCS will develop the initial plan at a Family Team Meeting "within 25 calendar days of the child entering foster care" (PAMMS 19.3 lists the same 25-day timeframe). DFCS then submits the supervisor-approved plan to the juvenile court "within 30 calendar days of a child entering foster care." Verified Oct 18, 2026

We use this box for something we couldn't confirm with an official source, or that is changing. See it on our list of everything we're still confirming

Not yet verified: how much notice you get before the meeting

The policy says DFCS gives written notice of the case plan meeting to the parent, guardian or legal custodian ahead of time, but two DFCS policies state the notice period differently (10.23 and 19.3 do not use the same kind of days). We have not published a number. Ask your case manager for the date, time and place in writing, and ask how many days of notice applies to you.

What is a relative's or foster parent's role?

PAMMS 10.23 says DFCS is to give notice of the meeting to "the current caregiver of the child (i.e., kin, foster parent, Room Board and Watchful Oversight (RBWO) provider)," as someone who "may have significant input into the development of the case plan." Verified Oct 18, 2026

After the court approves the plan, DFCS is to give the placement resource "portions of the court approved plan that involve the permanency plan and the services to be provided to the child." Verified Oct 18, 2026

To use that voice in court, see Your right to be heard in court.

How often is the case plan reviewed?

PAMMS 17.2 lists "the initial review conducted by the court within 75 days following a child's removal from the home." Verified Oct 18, 2026 PAMMS 10.23 says DFCS will "ensure the case plan and status of the child is reviewed no less frequently than once every six months by the court or by an administrative review," and PAMMS 17.2 says the same: "a review of each child's status is made no less frequently than once every six months either by a court or by an administrative review." Verified Oct 18, 2026 PAMMS 10.23 also says DFCS will "update the case plan as needed." Verified Oct 18, 2026

The court's own order may set its own schedule. See the review hearings section of the court guide, and ask your case manager, attorney or guardian ad litem when your next review is.

What to do next

The dependency timeline, every hearing

See where the case plan fits among the court hearings.

Guide

Your right to be heard in court

How a caregiver gets input to the court before the plan is set.

Guide

Reunification: how it works

What working a plan toward a child returning home looks like.

Guide

Sources & verification

The policy lists O.C.G.A. 15-11-200 (DFCS report; case plan) and 15-11-201 (DFCS case plan; contents) as its legal basis. We could not open the text of those statutes on the date above (the sites that publish them blocked our request), so this page quotes the policy, not the statutes. Foster411 summarizes Georgia policy in plain language. Rules change; if today is past our verified date, confirm with your case manager or the source above.