In re N.O.; In re K.O.

Syllabus

The respondent, Matthew O., appealed from decrees of the Family Court terminating his parental rights to his two sons. On appeal he argued that the trial justice erred in finding that the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) had made reasonable efforts to reunite him with his children. The Supreme Court reviewed the trial court record and perceived no basis for holding that the trial justice had clearly erred in finding that DCYF made the requisite reasonable efforts to reunify the respondent and his children. DCYF referred the respondent to a specially tailored parenting program at the Groden Center and offered, on multiple occasions, to make referrals for mental health treatment as well. However, even with these specially tailored services, the respondent was unable to make the progress necessary for reunification. Accordingly, the Supreme Court affirmed the decrees of the Family Court.