[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Hi,

I just attended a meeting last Sat. on How to Retain Foster Parents and this was an issue that we raised. We explained that, although we know the goal in foster care is always reunification, we bond with these kids and need support when they go home. My feeling is that social services looks at it like, you knew they weren't staying rather than you suffered a loss when the kids left.

We are hoping that voicing our opinions at this meeting will help make DCS more aware of our losses too.

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I understand what it's like to rejoice the children being reunified while suffering these emotions at the same time. IMHO, if you weren't going through these emotions you wouldn't be the great foster parent you are. The day I stop grieving the loss of these kids is the day I will stop being a foster parent.

Best of luck to you.

Michelle