V.C.

BACKGROUND

In March 2023, the minors were removed from petitioner’s custody in Santa Cruz County due to petitioner’s substance abuse. The Santa Cruz County Superior Court took jurisdiction over the minors and ordered reunification services for petitioner. The matter was transferred to Sacramento County. Over the course of the next 13 months, petitioner completed his court-ordered services, working with the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (Department). By the time of the 12-month review hearing on August 15, 2024, petitioner had been testing negative for controlled substances for approximately seven months. Despite his seven months of sobriety and his completion of services, the Department expressed concern about his ability to complete his treatment objectives, meet the minors’ needs, and provide for the minors’ safety, protection, and well-being. There were no concerns expressed about petitioner’s current sobriety.

1 Undesignated statutory references are to the Welfare and Institutions Code.

2 The juvenile court terminated petitioner’s reunification services and set the matter for a section 366.26 hearing. The court adopted the Department’s…