[HappyMomAnna]

KristieMaureen -- I was not intending to be answering the last post alone with my post. I agree with you that ONE part of this issue is to work on the issue you bring up. To be perfectly honest I myself experienced a period of time in my own childhood where my two little brothers and I were placed into Foster Care for issues that had not been properly investigated first. It did take my own parents some period of time to get us out of care--it cost money--and it was actually very horrible for our whole family.

Yes, it was terrible but, also it was not impossible. Typically there is an event or situation that leads a casewroker to remove a child from the parents. And, from time to time there are problems in 'proving' suitibility on getting your child returned. But, generally speaking the children who remain in foster care for extended periods of time have parents who in one way or another do not stand up and do what it takes or what is required by the State in Order to have the children returned.

Failing of drug tests, faiure to get a job, provide a decent home, or to end domestically violent situations. It does NOT require a great deal of programs or large dollars to be spent in order for the vast majority of parents to meet the minimum requirements. Not taking drugs in order to have your children returned can be accomplished by the person who wants their children returned.
There are many ways to get help if it is important enough to the family.

Getting a job and providing a safe place for a child to sleep eveynight is something any parent would consider important. There are many programs in each state and through the federal government for people to access to help with this. Yes, it requires going out and finding it---completeing paperwork on time and sending it to the correct place, and basic record keeping skills. There are programs that provide many supports for a MOTIVATED person to use to their own advantage.

Not allowing violent and dangerouse people to be around a child is as simple as not allowing it. A parent who is unable to protect themselves or their child from abuse does not need to be raising a child. If reunification requires cutting abusive people out of your life this does not require a 'program' to accomplish. And having been a victim of domestic violence I can promise you there is a VAST amount of support.

I agree there are children in the system who should be with their families. I know because it happened in my life. But, my parents would have moved moutains to get their children back. If thay had been asked to stand on their heads for a week they would have. Most parents who have their children placed in Foster Care are given a program to work--a set of requirements to have their children returned--most of the requirements are BASIC and most families who love their children can and will work hard to meet the requirements --where there is a will there is a way.

The Safe Families act does set a goal for ending years and years of children living in the system. One part of the law provides that states may now move to terminate parental rights if a child spends 16 out of the past 22 consecutive months in Foster Care.
The reason the federal governments has made these limits is that too often children come into and are left in the Foster Care system. Our society has also come to understand that there is a large number of parents when given a way to get their children back still cannot meet the most BASIC of standards or give up the damaging behaviors.

To the original poster---I think it is not good to have the parents pushed to the adoption porcess to avoid Foster Care. I think every parent should be offered every chance possible to reunify with their child..... I find it sad and I have seen it talked about where preasure is placed on the parents--the real question about 'getting back on their feet' is what does this include. In our state a parent is allowed to--not have a home--it takes more then one strike to move toward adoption......