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Okay -- first of all. There should be a hearing every 3 months to review your foster child's case in front of a judge. You CAN go to these hearings if you want to. Bio-parents have one year from the date of removal to work the case plan provided to them by CPS when the kids were removed. At any time during that year, the CPS worker can recommend that the goal for the children change from reunification to adoption. At the end of the year, there will be a final hearing where the judge will either terminate, reunify or give the bio-parents an extension. At six months the foster parents have the right to hire a lawyer BUT there's not much they can do other than advise you. I would recommend that you become very involved in advocating for your foster child. Make sure you know when hearings are and attend them. Meet your FS' guardian ad litem, attorney ad litem and CASA (if there is one). Send progress reports, pictures and anything else that shows good progress. Basically, just keep in close touch with everyone involved in the case. The more they know about you the better. Also, make friends with the CPS worker. They can be your best advocate.
Good Luck.
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