Opinion ID: 1986881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Parenting, social services, reunification or treatment plan

Text: Whether it has been created following a court order or on the independent initiative of DFS, a parenting, social services, reunification or treatment plan can provide a trial court with highly relevant evidence. A parent's efforts to comply with such a plan will provide the court with an indication of the parent's likely efforts in the future to care for the child. In the Interest of B.C.K. and K.S.P., 103 S.W.3d at 328-9. A lack of effort to comply with a plan, or a lack of success despite effort, can predict future problems. In the Interest of C.L.W., 115 S.W.3d at 360. Such evidence cannot be irrelevant. While a plan is no longer mandatory, if one exists, it is error for a trial court to ignore it when considering termination of parental rights. In the Interest of A.S.O., 52 S.W.3d 59, 66 (Mo.App.2001) (purpose is to ensure that all reasonable means to help the parent remedy the adverse conditions were utilized to no avail); T.A.S. I at 813.