C.A. 2nd;
B277756

The Second Appellate District reversed a dependency court judgment and remanded. The court held that the dependency court abused its discretion in ordering a reunification plan with which the parent, due to language barriers, was indisputably unable to comply.

The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services initiated dependency proceedings as to the minor children of father A.S., due to A.S.'s drinking problem. A.S., an immigrant from Myanmar, spoke only Burmese and his native dialect, Karen. The county, despite its efforts, was unable to find a residential alcohol treatment program in which A.S. could participate with his limited language skills. The county so advised the dependency court. The court nonetheless ordered A.S. to participate in a full drug and alcohol program with on-demand testing, a 12-step program, and a parenting program. Despite the court's directive to the county to assist A.S. in locating programs in Burmese or with appropriate translation, no appropriate program was ever found.