In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
Parenting Time Schedule: Plan 4
The plans provided are to act as a guide in developing a parenting time plan that best suites the needs of the child as well as the parents.
They are recommendations, not required methods.
Recommended for children ages Birth to 5 years.
How it Works
Every week, the non-custodial parent has the child 3 times. Two of the periods are for 3-6 hours and one overnight.
Example
Vacations
Parents may have two one-week periods separated by at least 4 weeks. At least 30 days before the planned vacation, each parent must gibe the other parent written notice of the travel dates. At least 3 days before travel, each parent must give detailed information to the other parent, including the places they will be going and how to reach the child or the parent during the vacation.
Holidays
Parents should consider dividing holidays or special occasions in time blocks similar to their regular parenting time.
This plan should be chosen if
- Parents have cared for the child about equally
- Both parents know how to care for the child overnight
- Parents live close enough together that the child will not have long care trips between homes
- Parents can communicate and cooperate with each other about the care and well-being of the child
- Parents have been successfully following Plan 3 for awhile
Advantages
- The child has frequent, but short visits with the parent who has less parenting time
- Offers consistency and predictability
- The custodial parent receives a few "breaks" throughout the week
Disadvantages
- There are 5-6 exchanges each week, which may be difficult for parents that do not get along
- The week may seem a bit "choppy" or broken up