[lvmykidz]

Why would a judge deny a mental health evaluation?
The caseworkers have been requesting one since Jan for our 10mth old's bio mom. She is known to have bipolar and depression.
We've had our FD since she was 3 weeks old. She's been in care with us for 10 mths now.
Bio mom had to find stable living and a job and take the parenting classes. The state helped find her stable living for the next 3 years. She took all the parenting classes.
She had a job in the beginning for 2 months---then was without one for 8 mths---recently just found another job.
The caseworkers still feel that although mom is working her caseplan, mom is not able to parent. They've seen some things during the visitation that would lead them to believe this.
But yesterday the judge denied the mental health evaluation. Bio mom has psychiatrist, nurse practioner,etc available to her but none of them are willing to come forward to state about moms parenting ability. That is why the state is making this request.

Can mental health alone be a factor for not having a child go home? Do they need to show how moms state of mind is affecting her parenting?
Any thoughts?

[Sam-N-Tony]

I think they should always automatically have an mental health evaluation done on the parents. Unfotunately since know one is willing to step forward they have their hands tied behind their backs. It sounds like she's on track so maybe that's all the judge really cares about.

[hunterfamily]

Usually to add a mental health task to the case plan something really big needs to happen. Honestly, a mental health evaluation is not going to say much about her parenting. Even parenting evaluations done by mental health proffessionals are not helpful. Everyone I have seen says that with help, they will be able to successfully parent their child. No judge can TPR on that. Also, just because they have a history of mental health issues does not mean that they need an mental health eval now. The fact that she has been seeing someone says that she is willing to get treatment and is not ignoring her problem. If she wasn't seeking treatment, then maybe there would be a case for one. The big question is she a harm to her children? Is her bad parenting putting the children in an unsafe enviorment? Are the children in physical danger when they are with her?