In Re Alvin R.

Appellant, Alvin R., Sr. (father), appeals determinations made by the juvenile court at a review hearing that he had been afforded reasonable reunification services in an attempt to regain custody of his son, Alvin R., Jr. (Alvin), and that it would be detrimental to return Alvin to his father’s home at that time. After review of the record, we conclude substantial evidence supports the findings of the juvenile court that the plan adopted for reunification was reasonable, father fully cooperated and complied with all aspects of the plan, and it would have been detrimental to return Alvin to his father’s home at the time. But we disagree with the juvenile court’s finding that the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (the Department) provided reasonable services to effectuate the plan.

The key to the original reunification plan was that father and Alvin participate in conjoint counseling, but only after Alvin had received eight sessions of individual counseling. The Department effectively abdicated its responsibility to effectuate timely individual counseling for Alvin, which precluded father from participating in conjoint counseling sessions with…