Opinion ID: 2321829
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Rivera's Participation in Programs

Text: The second issue on appeal is whether the trial justice erred and was clearly wrong when she found that Rivera only began to participate in programs around the time the department filed the petition. The record reveals that the social worker repeatedly suggested to Rivera in December 2005 and then again, in January 2006, that he participate in child development and parenting programs as part of his plan for reunification. Rivera contends that he did everything he could to participate in such programs, but that waiting lists and the ACI's limited classes prevented and delayed his participation. We glean from the record that the trial justice recognized that respondent had completed four different programs by the time of trial. The trial justice specifically acknowledged that Rivera received a certificate for completing a program entitled, Resolving Conflicts Nonviolently in May 2006. We therefore cannot say that the trial justice clearly was wrong when she found that Rivera began participating in programs around the time that the petition was filed on May 4, 2006. Moreover, from a review of the record, it does not appear that any tardiness by Rivera in engaging in these programs was a determining factor in the trial justice's decision. Also, to whatever extent the trial justice considered Rivera's lack of participation in programs, we do not believe that this was an error. We have said that a parent's refusal to cooperate with reunification services can be a factor that the court considers, along with other factors, when determining whether to issue a TPR decree. See In re Delicia B., 762 A.2d at 1204; In re Christina V., 749 A.2d 1105, 1110 (R.I.2000). The record discloses that on March 8, 2006, when the social worker asked Rivera about his involvement with any programs, he stated that he was not participating in any services at the time and that he still had over four years left to serve on his sentence. Although there is no evidence in the record that Rivera refused to cooperate with the department, his lack of involvement in programs related to parenting, child development, and substance abuse clearly was relevant and was a proper consideration in determining whether there was a substantial probability that the child would be able to return safely to the parent's care within a reasonable time. See § 15-7-7(a)(3).