In re N.R. (Los Angeles County Dept of Children and Family Services v. O.R.) (S274943)
The California Supreme Court will consider how juvenile courts should weigh a parent’s substance use disorder when the minor is of tender age (roughly six years or younger), and how to define “substance abuse” for these purposes. CSAC’s amicus brief argues that the DSM definition of substance abuse should not govern in child dependency cases, and that while a parent’s substance use disorder is not dispositive for purposes of dependency jurisdiction, it is a factor that is given more weight when a minor is of tender years. CSAC’s brief was drafted by Elizabeth MacDonald in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office.
