1

Filed 7/22/16 In re S.A. CA1/2

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS

California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for 

publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication

or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115. 

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT

DIVISION TWO

In re S.A., a Person Coming Under the 

Juvenile Court Law.

AMBER S.,

Petitioner,

v.

THE SUPERIOR COURT OF CONTRA 

COSTA COUNTY,

Respondent;

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CHILDREN 

AND FAMILY SERVICES BUREAU,

Real Party in Interest.

 A148502

 (Contra Costa County

 Super. Ct. No. J15-J00876)

Petitioner Amber S. (Mother), mother of 11-month-old S.A., seeks review by 

extraordinary writ, pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 8.452, of the juvenile 

court’s orders terminating reunification services and setting the matter for a permanency 

planning hearing, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 366.26.1 Mother 

contends substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s finding that the 

Contra Costa County Children and Family Services Bureau (Bureau) provided reasonable 

services to her. We shall deny the petition for extraordinary writ. 

 

1 All further statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code unless 

otherwise indicated. 
2

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On August 17, 2015, the Bureau filed an original petition alleging that S.A. came 

within the provisions of section 300, subdivision (b). The petition alleged that Mother 

had a chronic substance abuse problem that significantly interfered with her ability to 

parent in that she had tested positive for cocaine and amphetamine in May 2015, during 

her pregnancy with S.A.; she had tested positive for amphetamine and ecstasy in August 

2015, at the time of S.A.’s birth; S.A. had tested positive for amphetamine at the time of 

her birth; and Mother had a self-reported history of methamphetamine use since age nine. 

On August 18, 2015, the juvenile court ordered S.A. detained.

In the detention/jurisdiction report filed on September 28, 2015, the social worker 

reported that she had interviewed Mother, who said that she was aware that S.A. was 

born exposed to methamphetamine and that she had “made a mistake.” Mother also 

stated that she had been using methamphetamine “off and on” since she was nine years 

old. Mother had three other children between the ages of 8 and 16, none of whom were 

in her custody. Mother said she was willing to enter a drug treatment program.

At the September 28, 2015 jurisdiction hearing, Mother pleaded no contest and the 

court sustained the petition, which had been amended to state that Mother had a chronic 

substance abuse problem that interfered with her ability to parent in that she had tested 

positive for amphetamine and ecstasy at the time of S.A.’s birth and S.A. had tested 

positive for amphetamine at the time of her birth. 

In the disposition report filed on November 4, 2015, the social worker reported 

that Mother had acknowledged a 20-year history of using methamphetamine, including 

the night before S.A.’s birth. She also acknowledged a significant criminal history 

related to her substance abuse. Mother reported having mental health issues for which 

she had required ongoing treatment. In 2003, she had been diagnosed with depression, 

borderline personality disorder with suicidal tendencies, and bipolar disorder, and had 

been hospitalized in the past. According to the social worker, Mother “has . . . ensured 

the state [that] her mental health continues to be monitored, and is in compliance with her 

psychotropic medications.”
3

Mother had, however, “exhibited little in efforts to address substance abuse 

treatment,” despite the fact that the social worker had provided her with treatment 

program information, including current availability, and ongoing orientation information 

on several occasions. The social worker had also encouraged Mother to enroll in 

outpatient treatment while she waited for a residential treatment opening. The social 

worker had repeatedly asked Mother about her progress with getting into treatment, but 

Mother said she could not make appointments for intake or orientations due to 

transportation issues and had declined the social worker’s offer of bus passes. The social 

worker had referred Mother to drug testing, but Mother reported having difficulty 

obtaining an identification card due to problems obtaining her birth certificate from out of 

state. The social worker therefore arranged for her to obtain a temporary identification 

from the Bureau for purposes of drug testing only. The social worker had also referred 

Mother to parenting classes. 

Mother was consistently participating in visitation with S.A., who had been placed 

in a foster home. S.A. was born premature and exposed to methamphetamine. There 

were concerns about jerky movements and potential seizure activity, although she 

appeared to be developmentally on target. Mother also has three older children, two of 

whom were living with relatives out of state and one of whom had been adopted by the 

maternal grandmother in an open adoption. The maternal grandmother had submitted 

paperwork to be assessed as a placement for S.A., although there were concerns about 

placing S.A. with her. 

The Bureau recommended that reunification services be provided to Mother. The 

Bureau believed she would be best served by entering into a residential treatment 

program followed by outpatient treatment, as well as by random drug testing and ongoing 

participation in Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The Bureau also believed that, while 

recovery would be the primary focus of her case plan, Mother would also benefit from 

individual therapy and parenting classes.
4

At the November 4, 2015 disposition hearing,2the juvenile court adjudged S.A. a 

dependent child, and ordered out of home placement and family reunification services. 

The court adopted the Bureau’s proposed case plan, which required Mother to participate 

in a mental health assessment and general counseling, a parenting education class,

inpatient substance abuse treatment and aftercare, substance abuse testing, and a 12-step 

program.

3

In the six-month review report filed on May 16, 2016, the social worker reported 

that she had referred Mother to the following services: random drug testing, 12-step 

meetings, a parenting class and a parenting partner, therapy, and supervised visitation. 

The social worker had also spoken with Mother several times about treatment programs, 

12-step meetings, and drug testing, and had encouraged her to engage in services. 

Mother had initially reported that she was on waiting lists for multiple residential 

treatment programs. However, she never began drug testing or attending 12-step 

meetings. In February 2016, Mother told the social worker that one reason she was not 

going to 12-step meetings was because “she has a very difficult time being around 

people. In fact, she stated that she is seeing a therapist and taking Wellbutrin to help her 

with the problem.” In March, Mother admitted that she had stopped trying to get into a 

residential treatment program and had never begun drug testing because “ ‘[w]hat’s the 

point when I would just give a dirty test?’ ”4 When the social worker spoke with Mother 

about the possibility of adoption for S.A., Mother said, “ ‘I can’t take care of myself so 

how can I take care of her?’ ”

 

2 Mother tested positive for amphetamine at the disposition hearing. 

3 Mother’s boyfriend was considered an alleged father until paternity testing 

indicated he was not the biological father. The court found that he was neither the 

biological nor the presumed father, and therefore ordered him removed as a party. 

4 Mother, who was helping her boyfriend to care for his disabled mother and the 

mother’s roommate, said she was so overwhelmed from that activity “that she had no 

energy or desire to enter a drug program.” 
5

Mother had consistently participated in weekly supervised visits with S.A., during 

which she was “always loving and appropriate with the child.” S.A. was in good health 

and was developmentally on target, both physically and cognitively. S.A. had been 

placed in a concurrent home in March 2016. 

The Bureau recommended that the court terminate Mother’s reunification services 

and set a section 366.26 hearing. 

At the May 16, 2016 contested six-month review hearing, Social Worker Denise 

Spolerich testified that she had been the social worker assigned to the case since 

November 2015. Spolerich met with Mother in December 2015, and again in January

2016, at which time they discussed drug testing and what Mother felt was keeping her 

from attending 12-step meetings. Spolerich also referred her to several possible

parenting classes. 

In January 2016, Mother told Spolerich that she was seeing a psychiatrist, 

although Spolerich had “made the mistake of not following up on that” by getting the 

psychiatrist’s name for verification purposes. Mother said she was seeing the psychiatrist 

through county mental health and that “she was really trying to work on the issues she 

was dealing with that she felt were keeping her from both going to 12-step meetings and 

participating in an inpatient program.” Spolerich obtained a referral for Mother to 

participate in a mental health assessment through the Bureau’s mental health liaison. At 

the end of January, Spolerich gave Mother the name of the mental health professional 

who would perform the assessment.

Spolerich and Mother also met in February 2016, and discussed Mother’s case 

plan. Mother again reported that she was meeting with a psychiatrist every other week

and was taking medication. Mother explained that she was seeing the psychiatrist due to 

her difficulty being around other people, which was one of the reasons she had not 

entered a drug treatment program or attended 12-step meetings. Spolerich encouraged 

her to continue with the therapy. Spolerich subsequently left a message for the 

psychiatrist, but was not able to make direct contact with him. During the February 

meeting, Mother also told Spolerich that she was still using methamphetamine. 
6

Spolerich had most recently met with Mother on March 3, 2016, at which time 

they discussed the importance of residential treatment, drug testing, and the 12-step 

program requirement in Mother’s case plan. Spolerich gave Mother a new drug treatment 

referral to three potential programs, along with the phone numbers to call. Between their 

in-person meetings, Spolerich and Mother also talked on the phone at least once a month.

Spolerich testified that Mother had been very regular in her visits with S.A. 

Spolerich did not know of any visits that she had missed. 

At the conclusion of the hearing, the court found that Mother was a very 

sympathetic person who had experienced extensive trauma in her life, including in her 

relationship with her boyfriend. “And she has not been able to find a path out of that 

dysfunction and substance abuse. [¶] And [Mother] really is appropriate during the visits 

and very loving. It’s seldom that I have ever read such warm comments and descriptions 

about what transpires in the visit. Which is very sad. 

“On the other hand, I do find based on the testimony of Ms. Spolerich as well as 

what’s contained in the report that reasonable services were offered. And that the social 

worker on multiple occasions provided referrals and information and encouragement to 

mother to get engaged and get started. It’s not up to the [Bureau] to lead mother to the 

program. And at some point, if [Mother] is going to be successful, part of the test of that 

is being able to get up in the morning and finding yourself to [sic] those services. And 

[Mother] has just been unable to do that.” The court therefore terminated reunification 

services and set the matter for a section 366.26 hearing on September 12, 2016. 

On May 19, 2016, Mother filed a notice of intent to file writ petition.5

DISCUSSION

Reasonable Services Were Provided

Mother contends substantial evidence does not support the juvenile court’s finding 

that reasonable services were provided. 

 

5 On June 17, 2016, we denied Mother’s request for a stay pending resolution of 

the petition. 
7

“The court shall not order that a hearing pursuant to Section 366.26 be held unless 

there is clear and convincing evidence that reasonable services have been provided or 

offered to the parent . . . .” (§ 366.21, subd. (g)(1)(C); accord, § 361.5, subd. (a)(3).) 

“ ‘[T]he focus of reunification services is to remedy those problems which led to 

the removal of the children.’ [Citation.] A reunification plan must be tailored to the 

particular individual and family, addressing the unique facts of that family. [Citation.] A 

social services agency is required to make a good faith effort to address the parent’s 

problems through services, to maintain reasonable contact with the parent during the 

course of the plan, and to make reasonable efforts to assist the parent in areas where 

compliance proves difficult. [Citation.] However, in most cases more services might 

have been provided and the services provided are often imperfect. [Citation.] ‘The 

standard is not whether the services provided were the best that might be provided in an 

ideal world, but whether the services were reasonable under the circumstances.’ 

[Citation.]” (Katie V. v. Superior Court (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 586, 598-599 (Katie V.); 

see also In re Riva M. (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 403, 414 [a reasonable services finding is 

appropriate when the record shows “that the supervising agency identified the problems 

leading to the loss of custody, offered services designed to remedy those problems, 

maintained reasonable contact with the parents during the course of the service plan, and 

made reasonable efforts to assist the parents in areas where compliance proved 

difficult”].) 

We review the juvenile court’s findings for substantial evidence, “reviewing the 

evidence in a light most favorable to the prevailing party and indulging in all legitimate 

and reasonable inferences to uphold the court’s ruling.” (Katie V., supra, 130 

Cal.App.4th at p. 598.) 

Here, Mother argues that the Bureau failed “to offer or provide any services 

pertaining to [her] mental health needs arising from her mental health disability.” We 

disagree. 

First, the circumstances underlying the dependency petition in this case involved 

Mother’s chronic substance abuse and its effects on her ability to parent newborn S.A. 
8

The Bureau therefore devised a case plan aimed at assisting Mother to overcome her 

substance abuse issues, with requirements that she participate in inpatient substance 

abuse treatment and aftercare, substance abuse testing, and a 12-step program. The social 

worker assigned to the case repeatedly attempted to assist Mother to meet these

requirements. In face-to-face meetings and telephone calls, the social worker provided 

Mother with a number of referrals to and information regarding residential treatment 

programs, while also encouraging her to enroll in outpatient treatment until an opening in 

a residential program arose. The social worker also referred Mother to random drug

testing and a 12-step program. 

The social worker repeatedly encouraged Mother to engage in these services and 

discussed with her the barriers to doing so. When Mother said she was unable to get to 

intake appointments or orientations due to transportation issues, the social worker offered 

bus passes, which Mother refused. When Mother said she could not drug test because 

she did not have identification, the social worker arranged for her to obtain a temporary 

identification for drug testing purposes only. Despite the various referrals and support, 

Mother failed to engage in any of the offered services related to her substance abuse.6 

Second, while participation in services related to overcoming her chronic 

substance abuse was the primary focus of Mother’s case plan, the case plan also required 

her to participate in individual therapy, a mental health assessment, and parenting classes. 

Although Mother asserts that the Bureau never referred her to either a parenting 

education program or a mental health assessment, the record shows otherwise. Following 

the disposition hearing in November 2015, the social worker referred Mother to both a 

parenting class and a parenting partner. At the six-month review hearing, the social 

 

6 Mother points out that the Bureau’s drug testing referral process was changed 

during the course of the dependency and the social worker did not explain the new 

process to her until their meeting in March 2016. It is not clear from the record when the 

procedures for drug testing changed but, even assuming it was significantly before the 

March meeting, there is no evidence that Mother had ever attempted to drug test, much 

less that she had tried and been unsuccessful due to the change in procedures. 
9

worker testified that, in January 2016, she gave Mother another referral to parenting 

classes and discussed the various options with her. The social worker also testified that, 

in late January, she obtained a referral for Mother to participate in a mental health 

assessment, for which she gave mother the contact information. 

With respect to individual therapy, Mother reported that she had mental health 

issues that required treatment, having been diagnosed in 2003 with depression, borderline 

personality disorder with suicidal tendencies, and bipolar disorder. The social worker 

noted in the November 2015 disposition report that, although Mother had made little 

effort to address her substance abuse issues, she had “ensured the state of her mental 

health continues to be monitored” and was “in compliance with her psychotropic 

medications.” During a February 2016 meeting with the social worker, Mother told her 

that one reason she was not going to 12-step meetings was because she had a hard time 

being around people, but said she was seeing a therapist and taking medication to help 

with the problem.7 She was meeting with her psychiatrist every other week and “was 

really trying to work on the issues she was dealing with that she felt were keeping her 

from both going to 12-step meetings and participating in an inpatient program.” The 

social worker encouraged Mother to continue with the therapy. Although, when Mother 

first told her that she was seeing a psychiatrist, the social worker had “made the mistake 

of not following up on that” by getting the psychiatrist’s name from Mother, the social 

worker subsequently did leave a message for the psychiatrist, but was unable to make 

contact. 

Mother claims that the Bureau’s failure to better monitor and support her mental 

health needs undermined her ability to successfully engage in her case plan. The record

belies Mother’s assertion that the lack of sufficient mental health support rendered her

unable to participate in the case plan. Although it would have been preferable for the 

 

7 Mother also said she had stopped trying to get into residential treatment because 

she was exhausted from other commitments and had no energy to enter a drug program. 

She had not begun drug testing because she did not see the point of doing so when she 

knew she would not test clean. 
10

social worker to refer Mother for a mental health assessment before January 2016 and to

have made additional attempts to contact Mother’s psychiatrist, this alone does not 

demonstrate that the Bureau failed to provide Mother with reasonable services. Mother 

had ensured that her mental health needs were being addressed through regular therapy 

appointments and monitoring of her medication, which she believed was helping her. As 

she told the social worker, she was working with the psychiatrist to address her difficulty 

being around other people. On the other hand, after receiving the mental health 

assessment referral, she failed to participate in an assessment. In addition, it is notable 

that Mother was able to consistently attend weekly visits with S.A., during which she was 

always loving and appropriate. In fact, the social worker was not aware of her having 

missed a single visit. 

Mother thus was able to participate in two components of her case plan: individual 

therapy and visitation, for which she is to be commended. It was the other case plan 

requirements, particularly those related to the substance abuse issues on which S.A.’s 

dependency was based, that she repeatedly failed to follow through with, while offering 

various excuses for not doing so.

8

The record thus reflects that the Bureau attempted to 

support Mother in overcoming the primary obstacle to reunification with S.A., i.e., her 

ongoing substance abuse. (See Katie V., supra, 130 Cal.App.4th at pp. 598-599; In re 

Riva M., supra, 235 Cal.App.3d at p. 414.) Unfortunately, Mother did not avail herself of 

the services offered. 

Mother cites In re Elizabeth R. (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 1774, 1792 and In re 

Victoria M. (1989) 207 Cal.App.3d 1317, 1320 in support of her argument that the 

Bureau was required to, but did not, accommodate her special needs as a mentally ill 

person. She again criticizes the Bureau’s alleged failure to refer her for a mental health 

assessment or a parenting education course, which, as previously discussed, it in fact did. 

But she does not identify any special accommodations that should have been provided 

 

8

She also failed to follow through with the referrals for a mental health 

assessment and parenting classes. 
11

beyond the referrals to substance abuse and other services, along with the social worker’s 

ongoing encouragement and reminders of the importance of satisfying her case plan 

requirements. (See Angela S. v. Superior Court (1995) 36 Cal.App.4th 758, 762 [“The 

fact that a parent suffers from emotional problems does not excuse her from the statutory 

requirement of participating in a reunification plan, as some capacity to achieve the 

reunification goals is presumed”].) Mother unfortunately did not use the resources that 

were offered to support her in overcoming her substance abuse issues. 

As in most cases, the services provided to Mother were not perfect, but they were 

plainly reasonable in the circumstances. (See Katie V., supra, 130 Cal.App.4th at 

pp. 598-599.) Substantial evidence supports the juvenile court’s finding that reasonable 

services were provided. (See id. at p. 598; see also §§ 361.5, subd. (a)(3), 366.21, subd. 

(g)(1)(C).) 

DISPOSITION

The petition for extraordinary writ is denied on the merits. Our decision is final as 

to this court immediately. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.490(b)(2)(A).) 

_________________________

Kline, P.J.

We concur:

_________________________

Richman, J.

_________________________

Miller, J.