Opinion ID: 885702
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Appropriateness of the Treatment Plans

Text: ¶ 19 From what we can deduce, Marta and James Sr. contend the treatment plans were inappropriate and unreasonable in light of the long term care required to help these sexually abused children. Further, Marta and James Sr. assert they were trapped into a treatment plan which was destined to fail due to the abbreviated time constraints of the plans. To support this proposition, Marta and James Sr. cite the concurring opinion in Matter of J.S. & P.S. (1994), 269 Mont. 170, 178-79, 887 P.2d 719, 724 (Gray, J., specially concurring). ¶ 20 This Court has not specifically defined what constitutes an appropriate treatment plan as a matter of law and, indeed, no such bright line definition is possible given the unique circumstances existing in each case. Matter of Custody and Parental Rights of M.M. (1995), 271 Mont. 52, 56, 894 P.2d 298, 301. In evaluating the appropriateness of a treatment plan, we have considered such factors as: (1) whether the parent was represented by counsel and stipulated to the treatment plan; and (2) whether the treatment plan was directed at problems facing the parent and the child. Matter of M.M., 271 Mont. at 57, 894 P.2d at 301. ¶ 21 In the present case, DPHHS documented several instances of incestuous sexual abuse perpetrated against several children in the family by their siblings. There is no evidence indicating Marta or James Sr. ever sexually abused any of the children. Therefore, DPHHS primarily sought to educate the parents on how to provide a safe physical and emotional environment for the children. To that end, DPHHS developed several treatment plans to address the parents' deficiencies. ¶ 22 From August 24, 1998, to June 6, 2000, DPHHS designed five separate treatment plans for Marta and James Sr. The treatment plans endeavored to establish stable financial conditions, heightened parenting abilities, a safe environment for the children, improved mental health in regards to Marta and James Sr., and an improved parent-child bond. To perpetuate the treatment plans, the family underwent extensive individual and family counseling and maintained continued contact with social workers. While Marta and James Sr. signed only two of the treatment plans, they attempted to comply with all of them. The District Court approved all five plans. ¶ 23 Marta and James Sr. contend that their treatment plans were destined to fail due to unrealistic time constraints. They cite the concurring opinion in Matter of J.S. & P.S. in support of this proposition. In Matter of J.S. & P.S., two minor children were removed from their home after their father sexually assaulted one of them. The Department of Family Services established treatment plans for both the mother and father. After their mother failed to comply with her two month treatment plan, the District Court terminated her parental rights and this Court affirmed. Matter of J.S. & P.S., 269 Mont. at 178, 887 P.2d at 724. In a concurring opinion, Justice Gray stated: I am troubled by the notion that a two-month treatment plan which involves counseling is an appropriate treatment plan under § 41-3-609, MCA. Preparing such an abbreviated plan involving counseling strikes me as trapping the parent into an inability to successfully complete the program within the time allotted. Successful results from counseling will not be immediate, and such short-term counseling mandates should not be utilized in treatment plans merely to provide an easy and expeditious opportunity for the government to establish that the parent has not been successful in completing the treatment plan. Matter of J.S. and P.S., 269 Mont. at 179, 887 P.2d at 724 (Gray, J., specially concurring). In essence, Justice Gray expressed concern about terminating the mother's parental rights in light of the brevity of her two month treatment plan. ¶ 24 In the present case, DPHHS drafted five treatment plans for Marta and James Sr. over the course of two years. Marta and James Sr. had more than sufficient time to comply with any one of the treatment plans. At all times relevant to the custodial proceedings, Marta and James Sr. were represented by counsel. The record does not reflect any objections to the plans prior to this appeal. Clearly, these treatment plans were directed at protecting the children from further sexual abuse within the home. We conclude that the treatment plans were appropriate for purposes of § 41-3-609, MCA.