Shelter care is a very serious tool used by county officials when a child is at risk for immediate or threatened physical or emotional harm. Although it is very invasive with respect to the parents’ right to raise their child as they see fit, it is necessary for the continued protection of children who are abused, neglected, and dependent. The parents are afforded certain opportunities to keep the agency who removed their child "in check", and the agency must make reasonable efforts to reunite the child with his or her family.