CO HB1097

Beginning July 1, 2026, county child welfare caseworkers must create individualized placement transition plans whenever a child is moved between foster care homes, kinship foster care homes, non-certified kinship care homes, or back to the child's home, except in emergencies.

Plans must prioritize the child's mental, emotional, and physical needs and include pre-transition logistics, a timeline for the move, opportunities to maintain contact with current providers and siblings, and post-transition communications.

Caseworkers must notify the child, current provider, and future provider at least 48 hours before a non-emergency placement change occurs.

The Department of Human Services must create statewide training on placement transition plans, which new caseworkers must complete within their first year of employment and all caseworkers may complete every three years.

Courts may order a specific completion date for transition plans to prevent delays in reunification, and plans cannot override court orders for child placement.