Opinion
No. 12–P–1197.
2013-03-20
ADOPTION OF KEEGAN.
By the Court (VUONO, RUBIN & SULLIVAN, JJ.).
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER PURSUANT TO RULE 1:28
The mother's sole contention in this case is that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) failed to make reasonable efforts towards reuniting the family as required by G.L.c. 119, § 1. In particular, she argues that DCF's failure to refer her for treatment in a “dual diagnosis” program was not reasonable in light of having determined that such a program was appropriate for her. See Adoption of Lenore, 55 Mass.App.Ct. 275, 278 (2002) (outlining reasonable efforts requirements).
A dual diagnosis program is one designed to treat both mental health and substance abuse issues.
Even assuming the mother's claim that the inadequacy of the efforts made by DCF was raised timely, a question we need not decide, the factual record does not support her contention. Specifically, the social worker assigned to the family testified at trial that she believed that the mother needed dual diagnosis treatment but that “on several occasions, [the mother] reported that she has done these programs already, and she's not interested in doing them. She's done them at Dimock; she's not interested in doing it.” In these circumstances, DCF was not required to put forward further effort with respect to a dual diagnosis program.
Decree affirmed.