Tulare County Department of Social Services v. Mary G.

Mary G. (mother) appeals from a juvenile court order terminating its jurisdiction over her daughter, Sarah M., and awarding the father, Douglas M., custody. She raises numerous claims of error in her effort to *917 restore the juvenile court’s jurisdiction. We will conclude that while there was error, it was not prejudicial.

We hold in juvenile dependency proceedings in which the court has placed a minor with a formerly noncustodial parent pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code 1 section 361.2, the juvenile court may: (1) order services for the purposes of improving the contact between the original custodial parent and the child rather than reunifying them; and (2) terminate jurisdiction if it determines its continued supervision is no longer necessary. Termination need not be conditioned upon the completion of any court-ordered services. Nor do the parents’ poor communication skills and mutual distrust alone constitute a sufficient basis to continue jurisdiction.

Statement of the Case

Sarah M. (born Feb. 11, 1987) was adjudged a dependent child of the juvenile court in July 1988. The court found as to:

The juvenile court conducted its disposition hearing in August…