Caseworker: Rebecca Witten is progressing in treatment but must secure housing for reunification

At a virtual juvenile-court hearing, the department's foster care worker reported that Rebecca Witten is participating in a step-down residential program, has obtained employment and is taking parenting classes, but the department remains concerned about housing and long-term sobriety monitoring.

Brenda Burgess told the court, "She is still in Herberlite. Although, in August, she went to a step down program, so she is able to, leave in the afternoon. She still has programming there, but she's able to leave to look for employment, and she did, get a job at Meyer." Burgess said Witten is "about halfway through" the foster-care supportive visitation and parenting class, has had visits with the children, and had a psychological evaluation completed but the results were not yet available.

Burgess said the department is "maintaining the permanency goal of reunification" for the oldest child but that goal could change depending on Witten's progress; Burgess estimated the step-down program would end "by October," and said securing housing would be required to proceed toward return. Burgess also said she and Witten discussed relapse-prevention planning but the caseworker did not have the written relapse-prevention plan and would request it.

Why it matters: The department's baseline recommendation to maintain reunification as the permanency goal for the oldest child hinges on Witten completing treatment, securing housing and engaging consistently in recommended services; the court set a near-term continued hearing to review progress.

Supporting details and context: Burgess said Witten had a psychological evaluation but results were not yet available and that prior removals factored into monitoring. Burgess acknowledged past cycles of sobriety and relapse and said relapse-prevention planning exists with providers but the written plan had not been provided to the caseworker at the hearing; she said, "I don't have that. I can request it." The department is offering transportation supports and appointment reminders and has discussed applying for disability benefits as an income resource.

Taper: The court received the report without objection and continued the hearing to allow parents to testify and for the department to return with updates on housing, the relapse-prevention plan and other outstanding items.