3341 Substantial Consideration of Grandparents
Publication Date: January 1, 2026
A. Substantial Consideration Requirement
1. If a child is placed in the custody of the Secretary for children and families, a grandparent who requests placement of the child in such grandparent's home shall receive substantial consideration for placement of the child.
B. Assessment of Grandparents by the Child Welfare Case Management Provider (CWCMP)
a. the wishes of the parents, child and grandparent;
b. the extent to which the grandparent has cared for, nurtured and supported the child;
c. the intent and circumstances under which the child is placed with the grandparents, including whether domestic violence is a factor and whether the child is placed to allow the parent to seek work or attend school, and;
d. the physical and mental health of all individuals involved.
C. Decision Not to Place
1. If the CWCMP decides that it is not in the best interests of the child to be placed in the home of such grandparent, who has requested placement of the child in such grandparent's home, the CWCMP shall prepare and maintain a written report providing the specific reasons for such finding.
a. Failure to place the child with the requesting grandparent within 14 days of a request is equal to a decision not to place in the home and a substantial consideration report shall be written and maintained.
D. Report Development and Ongoing Maintenance
1. The report shall be developed within 7 calendar days of such a decision not to place a child with their grandparent who has requested placement.
2. As maintenance, the substantial consideration report shall be updated, at minimum, every 3 months with the specific reasons for the continuation of such a finding.
3. The initial substantial consideration report and any subsequent updates shall be provided to the DCF Foster Care Liaison and filed with the court.
For additional information on Relative Placement, see PPM 5234.