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 5
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. One of the periods is for 3-6 hours and two overnights on non-consecutive days.
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 give 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 have a bond with the child
- 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 or 4 for some time
Advantages
- The child has frequent, but short visits with the parent who has less parenting time
- The custodial parent has almost daily "breaks"
Disadvantages
- There are, almost daily, exchanges each week, which may be difficult for parents that do not get along
- The week may seem a bit "choppy" or broken up
Item of Note
A child this age should not be separated on a regular schedule from either parent for longer than three days. Children can be separated from either parent for longer periods of time for legitimate reasons, like vacation.