Opinion
No. 06-1806.
December 28, 2006.
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Pottawattamie County, Gary K. Anderson, District Associate Judge.
A.J.R. appeals from the termination of her parental rights.
Roberta Megal, Council Bluffs, for appellant mother.
Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, Kathrine Miller-Todd, Assistant Attorney General, Matthew Wilbur, County Attorney, and Dawn Eimers, Assistant County Attorney, for appellee State.
Lori Falk-Goss, Council Bluffs, for minor child.
Considered by SACKETT, C.J., and HUITINK and VOGEL, JJ.
A.J.R. appeals from the trial court's termination of her parental rights. She contends the State failed to make reasonable efforts to reunify her with K.D.R. We review A.J.R.'s claim de novo. In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d 489, 492 (Iowa 2000).
A.J.R.'s parental rights were terminated pursuant to Iowa Code sections 232.116(1)(d) (child CINA for physical or sexual abuse (or neglect), circumstances continue despite receipt of services), 232.116(1)(e) (child CINA, child removed for six months, parent has not maintained significant and meaningful contact with the child), 232.116(1)(h) (child is three or younger, child CINA, removed from home for six of last twelve months, and child cannot be returned home), 232.116(1)(i) (child meets definition of CINA, child was in imminent danger, services would not correct condition), and 232.116(1)(1) (child CINA, parent has substance abuse problem, child cannot be returned within a reasonable time). When the trial court terminates on more than one statutory ground, we need only find termination is proper on one ground. In re S.R., 600 N.W.2d 63, 64 (Iowa Ct.App. 1999).
A.J.R. argues "that she did not receive reasonable time to rehabilitate herself" and the State failed to make reasonable efforts to reunite her with K.D.R. We disagree.
The State is required to "make every reasonable effort to return the child to the child's home as quickly as possible consistent with the best interests of the child." Iowa Code § 232.102(7); In re C.B., 611 N.W.2d at 493. This requirement involves providing "services to a parent before termination proceedings may be instituted." In re C.H., 652 N.W.2d 144, 147 (Iowa 2002). "Reasonable efforts are aimed at both preventing and eliminating the need for removal." Id. "[W]hat constitutes reasonable services varies based upon the requirements of each individual case." Id. "Generally, in making reasonable efforts to provide services, the State's focus is on services to improve parenting." Id. "[I]t is the parent's responsibility to demand services if they are not offered prior to the termination hearing." In re H.L.B.R., 567 N.W.2d 675, 679 (Iowa Ct.App. 1997). "[V]oicing complaints regarding the adequacy of services to a social worker is not sufficient." In re C.H., 652 N.W.2d at 148. "A parent must inform the juvenile court of such challenge." Id. When the parent alleging inadequate services fails to demand services other than those provided, the issue of whether services were adequate is not preserved for appellate review. In re S.R., 600 N.W.2d at 65; In re T.J.O., 527 N.W.2d 417, 420 (Iowa Ct.App. 1994).
We assume without deciding that A.J.R. has preserved error on the issues raised. The record indicates that A.J.R. was provided with the following services: substance abuse evaluation; substance abuse treatment; drug screens; family-centered services, including supervised visits and parent skill training; bus tickets; and rental deposit assistance. A.J.R.'s participation in these services has been inconsistent. She has not been able to maintain a stable home or employment. She has been living in several shelters and substance abuse treatment facilities. A.J.R. recognizes that she needs help with her drug problem. However, despite attending several residential drug treatment programs, A.J.R. has not successfully completed any of them.
Like the trial court, we find clear and convincing evidence supporting termination of A.J.R.'s parental rights under Iowa Code section 232.116(1)(h). K.D.R. is three years or younger, has been adjudicated CINA and has been removed from the home for six of the last twelve months. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that A.J.R. has not addressed her substance abuse issues, and her prognosis for doing so is poor. "A parent does not have an unlimited amount of time in which to correct his or her deficiencies." In re H.L.B.R., 567 N.W.2d at 677. K.D.R. "should not be forced to endlessly await the maturity of her parents." In re C.L.H., 500 N.W.2d 449, 453 (Iowa 1993) (citing In re T.D.C., 336 N.W.2d 738, 744 (Iowa 1983)). Accordingly, we affirm the termination of A.J.R.'s parental rights.
AFFIRMED.