Rule 37.  Improvement period; status conference

If an improvement period is ordered following the final adjudicatory hearing or as an alternative disposition pursuant to W. Va. Code §§ 49-4-604(d) and 49-4-610(2) or (3), the court shall order the Department to submit a family case plan within thirty (30) days of such order containing the information required by W. Va. Code §§ 49-4-408 and 49-4-604. The family case plan shall be formulated with the assistance of all parties, counsel and the multidisciplinary treatment team. Reasonable efforts to place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian or other permanent placement may be made at the same time. In accord with W. Va. Code § 49-4-610(2) and (3), the court shall convene a status conference within sixty (60) days of the granting of the improvement period or within ninety (90) days of the granting of the improvement period if the court orders the Department to submit a report as to the respondent’s progress in the improvement period within sixty (60) days of the order granting the improvement period. The court shall thereafter convene a status conference at least once every three months for the duration of each improvement period, with notice given to any party and persons entitled to notice and the right to be heard. At the status conference, the multidisciplinary treatment team shall attend and report as to progress and developments in the case. The court may require or accept progress reports or statements from other persons, including the parties, service providers, and the CASA representative provided that such reports or statements are given to all parties.