Opinion ID: 2382556
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Leo's case plan

Text: A social worker developed a case plan for Leo as well and mailed a copy to him on October 25, 2006. The plan required Leo to complete parenting and domestic violence classes, a substance abuse assessment, substance abuse treatment if recommended, and random weekly drug tests. Leo did not meet with a social worker to discuss his case plan requirements until May 2007, at which time he signed the plan and agreed to its terms. Around that time, Leo was arrested on a drug charge to which he pled guilty and went to jail for a month. In September 2007 Leo tested positive for cocaine, leading to the revocation of his probation and a 60-day prison sentence. Leo was also charged with criminal trespass and received a suspended sentence. By the end of 2007, Leo had made almost no progress on his case plan, failing to complete a new substance abuse assessment or domestic violence classes, starting but not finishing a mental health evaluation, and only participating in a few drug tests. In March 2008 Leo completed a substance abuse assessment in which it was recommended that he participate in an intensive outpatient treatment program. Leo entered treatment that month. Leo's case plan was updated in June 2008, although the issues to be addressed remained largely the same. Leo was required to participate in domestic violence and parenting classes and supervised visitation with his children. Leo completed an intake form for a domestic violence program that month in which he admitted to committing acts of domestic violence against Barbara, and then began but quickly abandoned the 36-week program. In August 2008 Leo left the state and returned to Florida without notifying OCS. He stopped attending substance abuse treatment and was discharged for non-compliance as a result. By leaving the state, Leo also cut off visitation with his children. When he returned the following month, Leo was arrested on a probation violation and sentenced to 18 months in prison at the Palmer Correctional Center, a sentence he was serving during the termination trial. By the end of 2008, Leo had completed parenting classes and started, but not completed, substance abuse treatment and domestic violence classes. He was incarcerated and acknowledged that it would be impossible for him to be reunified with his children at that time. As a social worker put it, he had not mitigated the circumstances that brought the kids in[to] custody. By the conclusion of the termination trial in May 2009, Leo was still incarcerated and had made no further progress on completing the case plan.