From Betsy:

Originally from Chicago, I've lived on both coasts and have settled on my favorite one. With a background in the arts, I spent years teaching and performing music and theater.  Following my true passion, I recently earned a double Master's degree in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University's Teachers College. While in New York, I provided counseling to at-risk LGBTQ youth, many of whom were homeless or marginally housed. In addition to counseling, I helped clients access resources such as GED programs, housing and job readiness. I most recently served as a Youth Service Specialist for Santa Barbara's Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA), where I was a counselor and facilitator of life-skills group classes for at-risk youth. I also do in-home behavioral therapy for young people with autism and parent education through Koegel Autism Consultants at UCSB. My training and experience have revolved around helping and empowering individuals and families to live more fully satisfying lives despite various challenges, and I am thrilled to be a part of the incredible Angels family.

 A Court Minute: the 366.26 Hearing

   366.26 Hearing, or "26" as it's often called, is a hearing scheduled by the Court to develop a permanent plan for dependent child(ren). By the time the 366.26 hearing is set, the Court has already determined that the parents will not reunify with the child because the parents have either failed reunification services or the Court has bypassed offering services to the parents altogether.

   The 366.26 hearing is usually set for 90-120 days after the termination of family reunification services.  The termination of family reunification services is not the same as terminating parental rights.  The termination of family reunification services means that Child Welfare Services (CWS) and the Court are no longer trying to reunify the family and services for the parents are no longer arranged and paid for by CWS. Terminating family reunification services always happens well in advance of the termination of parental rights.

   During the time between the termination of family reunification services and the 366.26 hearing, the parents may still receive visitation, though usually not as frequently as previously.  They also have the legal ability up until the time of the 366.26 hearing to file a JV-180 petition, in which they attempt to demonstrate a change of circumstance and ask the court to either place the child with them or for them to receive additional reunification time.  They have to legally make this case before the Court and other parties, such as County Counsel for CWS, and the child's attorney may contest their JV-180 petition.

   One factor which may delay the 366.26 hearing is the issue of notice of the hearing to the biological parents.  If the parents were present at the hearing when family reunification was terminated, they were given notice then of the 366.26 hearing date.  However, if the parents were not present, CWS must notice the parents of the 366.26 hearing date and file proof of service with the Court.  In this situation, notice cannot be done solely by first class mail to the parents' residence, rather must be in-person notice or notice by publication. Historically, 366.26 hearings have been continued by the local Court due to noticing issues and to provide further time for CWS to notice parents properly of the pending court proceedings. Whether proper notice was given is one issue often argued in appeals filed with the State Appellate Court. 

   At the 366.26 hearing, the Court determines what the permanent plan should be for the child(ren). The plan can be either: adoption, legal guardianship, or long term foster care.  The most permanent plan for a child, and the one most preferred by the Court, is that of adoption. The Court terminates parental rights only if it determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that it is likely that the child(ren) will be adopted.  The Court wants to avoid creating legal orphans (when parental rights have been terminated but there are no adoptive parents to step in and take on the parental role).

   After the 366.26 hearing and the termination of parental rights, the biological parents have the right to appeal the Court's decision to the California State Appellate Court.  The parents must file their appeal within 60 days of the date of the Court's ruling terminating parental rights.  Once parental rights are terminated, on-going visitation between the child and his/her parents and family ends.  Depending on the age of the child and the current circumstances, the parents are usually given one last visit with the child before visitation completely ends.  

    It may certainly seem like a lengthy process, but it is also a legally necessary and protective one for all involved -- the child, parents and the prospective adoptive parents.

- Jennifer