Opinion ID: 2640889
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Authority to Order Substance Abuse Treatment in Reunification Plan

Text: (2) The overarching goal of dependency proceedings is to safeguard the welfare of California's children. ( In re Josiah Z. (2005) 36 Cal.4th 664, 673 [31 Cal.Rptr.3d 472, 115 P.3d 1133].) Family preservation, with the attendant reunification plan and reunification services, is the first priority when child dependency proceedings are commenced. [Citation.] Reunification services implement `the law's strong preference for maintaining the family relationships if at all possible.' [Citation.] ( In re Elizabeth R. (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 1774, 1787 [42 Cal.Rptr.2d 200].) Reunification services are typically understood as a benefit provided to parents, because services enable them to demonstrate parental fitness and so regain custody of their dependent children. (See, e.g., In re Baby Boy H. (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 470, 475 [73 Cal.Rptr.2d 793] [explaining reunification services are a `benefit' and rejecting an argument that parents have a constitutional entitlement to services].) The legislative scheme reflects this reunification goal. With some limited exceptions not relevant here, section 361.5 requires the juvenile court to order child welfare services for both parent and child when a minor is removed from parental custody. Unless an exception applies, whenever a child is removed from a parent's or guardian's custody, the juvenile court shall order the social worker to provide child welfare services to the child and the child's mother and statutorily presumed father or guardians. (§ 361.5, subd. (a); see Tonya M. v. Superior Court (2007) 42 Cal.4th 836, 845 [69 Cal.Rptr.3d 96, 172 P.3d 402] [parent's receipt of services is presumed at the outset of dependency proceedings].) This requirement implements the law's strong preference for maintaining the family relationship if at all possible. [Citation.] ( In re Baby Boy H., supra, 63 Cal.App.4th at p. 474.) The reunification statute further provides: When counseling or other treatment services are ordered, the parent or guardian shall be ordered to participate in those services, unless the parent's or guardian's participation is deemed by the court to be inappropriate or potentially detrimental to the child . . . . (§ 361.5, subd. (a).) In addition, under section 362, subdivision (c): The juvenile court may direct any and all reasonable orders to the parents or guardians of the child who is the subject of any proceedings under this chapter as the court deems necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this section . . . . That order may include a direction to participate in a counseling or education program, including, but not limited to, a parent education and parenting program operated by a community college, school district, or other appropriate agency designated by the court. . . . The program in which a parent or guardian is required to participate shall be designed to eliminate those conditions that led to the court's finding that the child is a person described by Section 300. We have held that this provision authorizes the juvenile court to order that a parent undergo counseling as a condition of visitation even after dependency proceedings have ended. ( In re Chantal S. (1996) 13 Cal.4th 196, 204 [51 Cal.Rptr.2d 866, 913 P.2d 1075].) (3) Of course, the juvenile court's discretion in fashioning reunification orders is not unfettered. Its orders must be reasonable and designed to eliminate those conditions that led to the court's finding that the child is a person described by Section 300. (§ 362, subd. (c).) The reunification plan `must be appropriate for each family and be based on the unique facts relating to that family.' [Citation.] ( In re Christopher H. (1996) 50 Cal.App.4th 1001, 1006 [57 Cal.Rptr.2d 861].) Thus, in In re Basilio T. (1992) 4 Cal.App.4th 155, 172-173 [5 Cal.Rptr.2d 450], the court reversed a dispositional order requiring substance abuse counseling because there was no evidence to suggest either parent had a substance abuse problem. On the other hand, a reunification order requiring submission to random drug and alcohol testing was found to be appropriate in the case of a father who had a history of excessive alcohol and drug use. ( In re Christopher H., at pp. 1006-1008; see also Sara M. v. Superior Court (2005) 36 Cal.4th 998, 1018 [32 Cal.Rptr.3d 89, 116 P.3d 550] [requirement that mother be free of drugs and alcohol during visitation was reasonable to protect the children's well-being].) The Legislature has given juvenile courts broad discretion to fashion reunification orders designed to address the problems that have led to a dependency proceeding. Unfortunately, in a great many dependency cases, parental substance abuse is one such problem. The juvenile court has authority to require a parent to submit to substance abuse treatment as part of a reunification plan as long as the treatment is designed to address a problem that prevents the child's safe return to parental custody. It is important to note that a parent may choose to waive reunification services. (§ 361.5, subd. (b)(14).) But when a parent accepts services, and when substance abuse treatment is reasonably related to the minor's welfare, the juvenile court has authority to order the parent to participate. (§§ 361.5, subd. (a), 362.) Here, no one disputes that the court appropriately ordered substance abuse treatment as part of the reunification plan to which Mother agreed. Mother tested positive for methamphetamine when her son was born, and she admitted that she needed drug treatment. However, the parties interpret this order differently. Whereas Mother views it as a condition of reunification, the Agency views it as a command that, if disobeyed, may be punished by incarceration. The disagreement thus concerns how a reunification order can be enforced.