Florida Child Welfare Case Manager Certification Practice Exam

Diligent search continues until:

1. Court orders it to stop

2. Mother requests it to be ended

3. Law-enforcement intervenes

4. Child reaches age of six

The correct answer is: Court orders it to stop

A diligent search continues until a court orders it to stop because it is a legal requirement that all options are exhausted in finding a child's family placement before proceeding with other plans. The other options, although they may be relevant in some cases, do not have the same legal weight as a court order. For example, a mother's request or law enforcement's intervention may not be enough to stop a diligent search as they do not have the power to officially end the search process. Additionally, a child reaching age six may not necessarily be the end of a diligent search as other suitable family options may still be available. A court order is the only definitive and legally binding way to end a diligent search.