• To promote the immediate health, safety, and well-being of children eligible for these services based upon the case assessment and individual case plans.

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• Reduce the risk of future maltreatment of children who have previously been abused or neglected and protect the siblings of such children and other children who are members of the same household who may be subjected to maltreatment.

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• Avoid the unnecessary placement of children into foster care resulting from child abuse and neglect, voluntary decisions by families, or the commission of status offenses.

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• Facilitate, if appropriate, the speedy reunification of parents with any of their children who have been placed in out-of-home placement.

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• Ensure that the placement of a child is neither delayed nor denied due to consideration of the race, color, or national origin of the child or any other person unless such consideration is permitted pursuant to federal law; and promote the best interest of the child.