Certified Case Manager Practice Test

What should a case manager do if parents refuse to sign the case plan?

1. Complete the plan without their input

2. Submit the plan to court without their signature and document refusal

3. Ignore their decision

4. Revise the entire plan

The correct answer is: Submit the plan to court without their signature and document refusal

When parents refuse to sign the case plan, the most appropriate action for a case manager is to submit the plan to court without their signature and document their refusal. This approach ensures that the necessary legal protocols are followed while also maintaining a record of parental input—or lack thereof. Documenting the refusal is critical because it provides evidence that the parents were presented with the plan and chose not to agree to it. This documentation can be important in any future legal proceedings, as it shows that the case manager acted in good faith and sought the parents' participation in the planning process. Completing the plan without their input overlooks the parents' rights and can lead to a lack of trust and cooperation in the case management process. While revising the plan might seem like a way to address parental concerns, it is not always feasible or appropriate without their engagement. Ignoring their decision entirely disregards the parents' role in the case and could lead to significant ethical and legal implications. Thus, submitting the plan with documentation of their refusal strikes a balance between respecting the parents' rights and fulfilling the legal obligations of the case management process.