[fostermomintx]

You should be able to ask your foster child's worker about what is going on. I had a really good worker for my son who kept me informed about what they were planning to do every step of the way. Also, usually mediation means that they are speaking with the family about relinquishing the rights to the child in exchange for pictures, letters, etc. That's what happened with my son. The bparents both got attorneys and were advised that the State was going to court to terminate rights and if they wanted to not lose all contact with the child they would go to a mediation hearing and relinquish their rights (and if they lost in court they would not have any contact).

Both of my son's bparents were there and agreed to sign over their rights in order to maintain contact, i.e. I agreed to 4 visits per year plus pictures/letters, etc. It has worked out well for my situation because I want my son to know who his biological family is and not feel like he's been abandoned (when he is old enough to understand). His bparents are harmless; bmom missed 3 out of the 4 last year and bfather missed only 1.

I would think that your worker or the child's worker would contact you about the mediation since it concerns you, if you are interested in keeping him. Contact either worker or the guardian ad litem and ask questions, you do have a right to know what is going on since you are his caregivers. Don't hesitate to ask questions!

Good luck to you!