Opinion ID: 885702
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Success of the Treatment Plans

Text: ¶ 25 The District Court determined, pursuant to § 41-3-609(1)(f)(i), MCA, that Marta and James Sr. failed to successfully complete their treatment plans. Marta and James Sr. contend they satisfied all of the attainable goals of the treatment plans. Therefore, they argue the District Court erred in finding the treatment plans unsuccessful as that finding was not supported by clear and convincing evidence. We disagree. ¶ 26 DPHHS arranged for the family to undergo treatment at South Central Treatment Associates (SCTA), an outpatient sexual abuse treatment program. DPHHS developed the first treatment plan in September 1998. Since January 1999, five professionals from SCTA were involved with treating this family. SCTA provided the family with several treatment services including sexual offender treatment for the identified sex abusers in the family, victim support and individual counseling for S.H., N.S., and J.B. Jr., individual counseling and group therapy for Marta, and family therapy for the whole family. ¶ 27 One of the professionals, clinical social worker Michael D. Sullivan, testified that on at least three occasions between April and August 1999, SCTA informed Marta and James Sr. of treatment expectations and consequences for noncompliance. Marta and James Sr. were repeatedly warned that a failure to comply with their treatment plans could result in termination of their parental rights. With the children's safety as the primary concern, SCTA worked with Marta and James Sr. to improve particular problem areas. Areas of focus included establishing boundaries, acknowledging denial, and fostering honest communication. ¶ 28 Sullivan testified that during his work with Marta he did not feel she effectively participated in treatment. During Marta's treatment, Sullivan noted she appeared dishonest, projected blame on DPHHS, failed to assume personal responsibility for behavior, and attempted to manipulate professionals. Similarly, Sullivan testified that James Sr. was very manipulative and dishonest, projected a great deal of blame, failed to assume responsibility, and felt victimized by the circumstances. Further testimony revealed sporadic attendance and ineffective use of time in treatment. The evidence also indicated Marta and James Sr. failed to provide support and encouragement to the identified sexual offenders' participation in treatment. ¶ 29 In Sullivan's opinion, neither Marta nor James Sr.'s therapy proved successful as he saw no improvement in their parenting skills or ability to protect the children. Sullivan testified that from November 1998 until his last meeting with the family, he saw no improvement which would cause him to pause in recommending termination of parental rights. Cathy Cardneaux, a licensed clinical professional counselor, and social worker Nita Weyler corroborated Sullivan's testimony regarding Marta and James Sr.'s lack of improvement. ¶ 30 While the record indicates Marta and James Sr. did comply with some obligations of the treatment plans, partial compliance with a treatment plan is an insufficient basis on which to premise error in the District Court's finding that Marta and James Sr. failed to comply with their treatment plans. See In re A.N., 2000 MT 35, ¶ 45, 298 Mont. 237, ¶ 45, 995 P.2d 427, ¶ 45. The record before us contains substantial evidence supporting the District Court's finding that Marta and James Sr. failed to successfully complete the obligations of their treatment plans. Therefore, we conclude that the District Court's finding that Marta and James Sr. failed to successfully complete their treatment plans is not clearly erroneous.