[masciutto]

It's 1:30 in the am and again I cannot sleep. This past February a little 5 year girl crossed, actually dropped, right on to my path. After several hours of watching DCF workers try to find emergency placement I asked if she could just stay with me and my family until they found someone. Well, it's now June and she has her own room. This is the fourth time that she has been removed from her mom's custody. My youngest child is 19 and has a 5 day old son. Both are living with me. I am 46 and have had health problems. DCF is wanting to TPR and has asked me about adoption. The option is foster care. I am in the educational system and am familiar with foster homes in this area and I just cannot do it. She is precious. Her rate of learning has been unbelievable! She is blond with big grey eyes and hasn't demonstrated any behavior issues or personality issues. DCF is telling me that we cannot receive any financial assistance other than medicaid. I cry sometimes because I know that a person always has a choice. I can't imagine her leaving and going into the unknown, and yet I can't imagine making the decision to adopt and start all over with another child. I know that this is long.....I think that I just needed to do something, even if it was just writing.
If anyone reads this, thanks for taking the time.
Mary

[tinaruetz]

Mary,

Please contact me. I'm in Florida also. I don't know how personal messages work on this board. But please try.

Tina
horsinaourndfl@aol.com

[masciutto]

Thank you so much for writing a response. I am struggling so hard with this decision. Her name is Summer. I am a teacher also, actually a program specialist. When Summer came to me in February she could rote count to 10 and recognize 5 letters of the alphabet. By the middle of May she had mastered the objectives for promotion to 1st grade. She's like a much younger child in that she is always asking what and why questions, but she only has to ask once. She had never been to a movie, McDonalds, the beach. Only home and school and attendance was extremely poor.
I am amazed that after the abuse she has survived that there are no acting out behaviors. Would you be interested in me emailing you a photo? Just so you can see who it is you're putting on your prayer list? Please take care and good luck on your search.
Mary

[tinaruetz]

Did you get my private message by any chance?

[tinaruetz]

Please send me a picture I would love to put a face to this precious little girl. Thank you for writing back. And let me know how Summer is getting along and in what direction you heart in going.
Thanks,
Tina

[masciutto]

Yes, I did get your private message. I'm going to try your email again, it was returned the 1st time.
Mary

[Annie6]

You didn't realize that this was going to be a permant placement. What is the reason for no board payment? That makes no sense to me at all. If the child is in foster care there must be some form of board to help support her.

You didn't say what area you were from. I am very confused why it would have taken so long for them to decide if this was to be a permant placement or not.

Not all foster homes are bad. there some ( and for the most part) they are wonderful.

Annie6

[masciutto]

Annie
I agreed to keep her with me until the weekend. The caseworker was sure that they could find a relative to care for her. Apparently the maternal grandmother was listed on the abuse registry. DCF explained to me that I was being treated as a "relative placement" which doesn't qualify for any financial assistance. I was just asking them if it was possible to be reimbursed for daycare for 1 hour a day after school. It's not a financial hardship but it seems like there should be some help. Thanks for responding. Today seems so much brighter. It has been so hard to never let her see how serious things could get for her.
Thanks again
Mary

[MesaMom]

There should also be financial assistance for day care through your local County Office of Education Child Care Services!

I would pursue this as an option?