Opinion ID: 6348794
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Mona’s Initial Assessment

Text: OCS next met with Mona in June 2017 at a Bethel shelter; Mona had just left her village because of a lack of support there. She told the OCS caseworker that she had been using tramadol, a synthetic opioid, for about two years due to stress and had last used it a few days before. The caseworker later testified that during the encounter Mona’s children were unruly and “not really listening to [Mona],” and Vera had a bruise 2 (...continued) for membership in an Indian tribe and is the biological child of a member of an Indian tribe”). -3- 7598 near one eye. Six days later Mona returned a call from the caseworker and, according to the caseworker’s later testimony, “didn’t feel that she was safe right now for the kids.” She also told the caseworker she was pregnant.3 The caseworker began looking for a temporary caregiver for Anders and Vera; the caseworker left a voicemail for Jared and spoke with Mona’s mother, who declined to take the children. The caseworker then talked to Ruth, who agreed to take the children overnight and again while Mona received an integrated assessment to evaluate any substance abuse and behavioral issues. Mona’s integrated assessment recommended a six-week residential treatment program, which the caseworker encouraged her to attend. Mona initially agreed to participate but then changed her mind; she told OCS that she and the children would return to the village instead.