Opinion ID: 1375148
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: A Meaningful Improvement Period

Text: Despite all the so-called improvement periods in this case, none of them appear to have comported with the kind of focused, goal-oriented plan that we have previously mandated. Upon remand, the court, in formulating a meaningful improvement period, should adopt the consolidated, multi-disciplinary approach we recommended in Carlita B., giving regard not only to the provision of individual counseling for the mother, but also conducting a plenary review of the child's needsphysical, emotional, educational, and needed services. [41] In this connection, however, it should be noted that the home study provided to this Court on February 19, 1995, suggests a potential obstacle to such an improvement period. Appellant repeatedly indicated that she is unwilling to participate in any counseling programs offered to her by the DHS. She is quoted as stating that she does not want an[y] involvement with the Department of Health & Human Resources, and sees our department as vindictive and harassing. The home study further indicates that Appellant feels that she will not need any help adjusting to Jeffrey's return and has refused our offer of Family Preservation or Family Counseling Services, but states she will allow Jeffrey to continue seeing his therapist, if needed. Given this alleged unwillingness to engage in counseling services that the DHS has concluded are necessary, the circuit court on remand may inquire into this matter and if it finds that Appellant refuses to participate in individual counseling, then an improvement period would be for naught. Furthermore, a circuit court always has the authority to terminate an improvement period if there is evidence that the parent is not following the conditions prescribed or is failing to make improvement. The record is replete with indications that the Appellant has lacked insight in recognizing her parental deficits and in cooperating with the DHS to remedy the underlying problems. If a record is established on remand that the Appellant has been offered individual counseling in the past and has refused such counseling, then it may proceed to disposition. At the conclusion of the improvement period, if given, the court should proceed to the determination set forth in syllabus point six of Carlita B.: the court shall review the performance of the parents in attempting to attain the goals of the improvement period and shall, in the court's discretion, determine whether the conditions of the improvement period have been satisfied and whether sufficient improvement has been made in the context of all the circumstances of the case to justify the return of the child. 185 W.Va. at 616, 408 S.E.2d at 368, Syl.Pt. 6, in part. In making this determination, the reality of Jeffrey's life during the last several years, including the fact that he has now resided with the Harrises for approximately three years cannot be ignored. Cases involving children must be decided not just in the context of competing sets of adults' rights, but also with a regard for the rights of the child(ren). Thus, how Jeffrey has fared educationally and emotionally with these foster parents and Jeffrey's own feelings and emotional attachments should be taken into consideration by the lower court. As we said in Lemley v. Barr, 176 W.Va. 378, 343 S.E.2d 101 (1986), a case involving the rights of natural versus adoptive parents: The day is long past in this State, if it had ever been when the right of a parent to the custody of his or her child, where the extraordinary circumstances are present, would be enforced inexorably, contrary to the best interest of the child, on the theory solely of an absolute legal right. Instead, in the extraordinary circumstance, when there is a conflict, the best interest of the child has always been regarded as superior to the right of parental custody. Indeed, analysis of the cases reveals a shifting of emphasis rather than a remaking of substance. This shifting reflects more the modern principle that a child is a person, and not a subperson over whom the parent has an absolute possessory interest. A child has rights too, some of which are of a constitutional magnitude.' Id. at 386, 343 S.E.2d at 109 (quoting In re Bennett v. Jeffreys, 40 N.Y.2d 543, 387 N.Y.S.2d 821, 356 N.E.2d 277, 281 (1976)). Another critical factor which must be examined is the living arrangements and potential presence of Wilbur White in Jeffrey's life, and the ability of the mother (or the lack thereof) to adequately protect Jeffrey. While the record in this case is very limited as to the actual harm that Mr. White has inflicted on Jeffrey, the various orders, psychological reports, court summaries, and recommendations from the guardian ad litem all concur on one pointWilbur White's presence is harmful to Jeffrey. The failure of the mother to comply with earlier court orders not to permit Mr. White in the home with Jeffrey may also be considered on remand. The home study submitted to this Court on February 10, 1995, includes information that attempts made to verify Mr. White's current residence indicate that Mr. White receives his mail at the same address at which Appellant currently resides. This fact alone may, upon introduction of proper evidence verifying that Mr. White does pose a continuing problem with regards to Jeffrey, prevent Appellant from receiving custody of Jeffrey. Clearly, it would be disastrous to permit Jeffrey to return to his mother's home on a permanent basis without resolving this issue of Mr. White's presence and the potential that his presence, permanent or sporadic, would have a deleterious effect on Jeffrey's continued progress. Should the court eventually determine that Jeffrey should be reunified with his mother, such change should be accomplished with a sufficient gradual transition period to enable Jeffrey to accept such change with as little upheaval as possible to his life. See Syl.Pt. 3, James M., 185 W.Va. at 649, 408 S.E.2d at 401 (recognizing need for gradual transition when permanent custodial arrangements are altered.) [42] In In re Christina L., ___ W.Va. ___, 460 S.E.2d 692 (1995), we recently pointed out that West Virginia Code § 49-6-1 (1995) sets forth mandatory notice requirements in abuse and neglect cases. [43] In the instant case, it appears that the rights of Wilbur White were terminated without any allegation of abuse or neglect. Indeed, such rights appear to have been terminated on the basis of a finding of abandonment without there ever having been a formal allegation of abandonment. [44] Although the issue of the rights of Wilbur White are not before the Court at this time, we urge the lower court on remand to clean up the record, if not for the father's benefit (who from the record before us has indicated very little interest in the child), at least for Jeffrey's benefit. We spoke with disapproval in Christina L. of the practice of not including allegations of abandonment in petitions for abuse and neglect, effectively leaving the child's legal status in limbo. In syllabus point six of Christina L., we said: When the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources seeks to terminate parental rights where an absent parent has abandoned the child, allegations of such abandonment should be included in the petition and every effort made to comply with the notice requirements of W.Va.Code, 49-6-1 (1992). If the rights of the father were terminated without due process, Jeffrey's future status could be subject to challenge.