When a Court orders a parent into drug/alcohol rehabilitation, the Court means now.
Does entering rehabilitation mean that child will be returned to the parent immediately? Absolutely not. Rehabilitation requires following a plan and succeeding in small steps as the plan moves forward. The best results come when the employees from the rehab facility testify about the progress and success seen in the parent.
Can a parent wait to enter rehabilitation?
Certainly, but the options for support from CPS and the Court will be less forthcoming as time passes. The longer a parent waits the more likely that parent’s rights to a child in state custody will be terminated. 13 months of failing to achieve goals triggers the termination process.
Don’t wait until termination papers are served.