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Unfortunately "preference" is not the same as forcing placement. It is normally up to CPS to decide whom placement is with. They don't have to place with relatives in every single case....I know I found that out the hard way and had to fight too. As for "preference" that can be defined as only "Grandparents" or something else and if the Grandparents say NO then they don't have to look at other relatives. We even had my SIL on our side too whom stated she'd sign away rights if our niece was placed with us. Eventually it did happen but only after we did the same thing-contacted from the SW up to the Governor's office and even our state representative. Unfortunately the laws a so vague on relative placement that CPS can use that against relatives.
And I'm not saying unsafe or uncleared relatives either. I don't think if the relative is not a safe place for any child they should take placement. I'm only speaking of the relatives that are cleared (such as how we went thru the entire foster care licensing).
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