[lovinmykids]

We have a foster daughter who we have had since birth (8 months now). We have always expressed our disire to adopt her (her FIRST worker inquired if we were interested). She now have a new worker who is against our adopting. We have had to hire an attorney to help w/ this matter. It is racially motivated and it is very easy to see. He has said that removing her from our home will not harn her she will recover and that he will not just "give" her to us. We are certified to adopt and she would not be our first adoption. We also have never had these problems w/ anyone else on the 14 plus years we have been involved on the state.
Does anyone know of any status that give foster parents/foster kids some rights to maintain the bonds they have aquired during their time in care? It just seems so heartless to remove a child from the only home she has ever know when it is not a situation that dictates it being needed.his caseworker is brand new from a very small office in Arizona. He also shares the same race as my foster daughter and I feel very strongly that is the main issue. I have already hired a private attorney who informs me she has gotten no where w/ the supervisor (these smaller offices seem to go out of their way to protect eachother). This child has been in my home since birth and is now 9 months old. This worker took the case at 5 months in..claims IM too attached. This child is medically fragile ect. We have invited the baby's attorney to our home and Im hoping that will make a difference. It just sickens me that a I type he is "shopping her around" to non family members though we are licenced to adopt and have a desire to do so. I have been in and out of this "system" for 14 years and have four adopted kiddos....this is the first time I have ever had to hire a personal attorney. This guy has a major personaility conflict w/ us and I feel he doesnt approve of adopting out of our race. He always stops one sentence before actually saying it. He has even asked bios dads EX mother in law if she will take this child..now how is that family? We have provided for her since day one adn honeslty if I hadnt always heard "time in care.."time in care" I wouldnt have taken the risk. I have four adopted children who are binded w/ her as a sin in the true sence of the word sibling!!!! I wouldnt have done this to them if I thought we could loose her. Im sorry to be rambling on..I just dont know what to do to keep her in the only home she has ever known and w/ the family that loves her. I do not understand how this One worker can hold so many cards!!!
I know he has already said "she would recover from a move".

[Happy123]

Have you tried contacting the child's GAL or CASA worker?

You might also call the supervisor's supervisor and state your case.

Good Luck,
Happy123

[locoenlacabeza]

Is this an ICWA case?
If so, although it can be done, you have a long road to hoe.
I am sure that race is the reason, but has he said this to you? If so you need to look at the ARS statues for the new guidelines that Janet recently signed. I do believe that there is legislature that says that race can not be a factor in considering where a placement is.

[ckh8456]

We have had this problem, we went to the Head of the State Adoption Dept. and demanded a new Social Worker, we got one and have finalized our adoption. Write to Dr. Phil and tell his staff your story. They are very interested in Fostercare and adoptions and have "friends"in high places. Also write or call your state rep. they will make calls. If you think you are the absolutly the best person for this child make sure everyone else knows it to!

[DonnaBurton]

I would follow the advice of ckh8456 and scream and shout to anyone who listen...Maybe a little MSNBC Investigation Report should be done about Current CPS workers in Arizona State...Dateline was just making a big ole' deal of foster parents in a report shown on TV like 3 weeks ago. Maybe you guys saw it. This system apparently sucks and enough people got together and shouted about it to make it known things would change. Bring up the issue that 1 case worker said yes, and then a new case worker said no...what if your child was 5 yrs old instead of 9 months..and you told that child Im gonna be your Mommy forever only to have a new case worker come in that dont know crap and say no. THATS BS to the MAX. Your baby at 9 months knows you, your family,and friends. It is written that by removing that child it WILL suffer serperation anxiety and depression. Bring that up and tell him she isnt going to recover to do his homework and read case studies on infants. Join Fosterclub.org and let them know whats going. Im sure they would be more than willing to help and they are free. They will know what to do.