[mallory4]

We are facing another TPR hearing in February.......there have been the usual ups and downs with R's case and we are sweating bullets.

R's county worker implied there was no reason for me to contact his GAL because in that county the GAL's usually get all their info from the workers.

I thought that was odd, because the county worker rarely comes to see R--our agency worker is the one who comes out here, so any info the GAL gets would either be third-hand or a few months old by the TPR hearing. So I did it anyway.

Now I am glad I did, because I got a friendly email back saying he would love more info about R and a home visit. We can't help but think if the GAL comes out and sees R in our home, it will help him represent R that much more enthusiastically.

Anybody have any suggestions for making sure the GAL has the info he needs to feel confident in recommending TPR/adoption by our family? Thanks!

[jenf]

We also see our county worker very seldom- 2 times in seven months- and then only because I called the dept. head and complained! I do keep an ongoing journal on my two little ones and fax it over to my GAL monthly. I also had an independent psychological evaluation done on them and made sure to get a copy of that, too. Keep building your own case, you can't wait for the county to do it! Good luck-February is so close, we have to wait until May.

[gregorysparents]

Good job guys, keep up the good work. In my state, a caseworker is required to come to the home once every two months and check on the child. Now, that doesn't mean that they stay more than 10 minutes or so, but that they at least have to come to the home. In all honestly, my two caseworkers DON'T have the time to spend much longer than that at my home. They each drive over an hour one-way to arrive at my home. So, they are putting in over two hours in travel.

Jenf, way to go with the evaluation - hopefully that info. will help your two little ones.

Something I have failed to do and I need to is to work on daily documentation - any suggestions?

Our CASA is in support of our fs staying with us - and all recommendations from CASA have stated this. Furthermore, EVERY recommendation that has been given to the Judge has stated "don't send the child back to his birth parents" - but the Judge is still going to send him back.

Keep fighting for your children. By fighting for your children, you could be fighting for all of the other children out there in the system that you have never met. I know that we are fighting for Gregory, but we are really fighting for ALL of the children out there in the foster care system. Even when Gregory goes, we will not stop fighting for him or for all of the others in the system. I know, it sounds like I am running for a political office (I AM NOT ) - but I strongly believe that the rights of the child should come before the rights of the birth parents or before the rights of any parent.

Keep up the good work. Keep us informed of your situations.

Christina

[mallory4]

The GAL said in his email he would like any documentation we had--I'm not sure I know what he means?

I was thinking of typing up a summary of R's milestones, doctor visits, etc. so the GAL could have everything at a glance in one easy-to-read format, instead of paging through tons of copies of copies sent to him by the sw.

Every week we get a copy of the OT and speech therapists' notes, but these are carbon copies on yellow and don't copy well --not to mention the handwriting isn't the most legible since he is usually grabbing the pen as they write them....so I thought I would summarize the original evaulation and most recent reports..

Other than that, and maybe some photos of R enjoying family activities, can y'all think of anything else I should put in there? I feel like having all our friends and family sign a petition !

[TAC]

Can't believe it is still the ups and downs even after bio-grandad didn't show...thoughts are with you and I'm sure when GAL does the home study it will be beneficial for you and your family...BTW-is GAL the lawyer or advocate for the child...if anything comes to me later will post

Pat

Thought-if you started a college savings fund for R maybe provide documentation...pictures from trips...art work...if I'm way off base, please just ignore...you know this is a new ball game for me

[1of2moms]

I used an extra lesson planner book I had (I am a teacher). I used one class section for each day as most planners have room or 7 or 8 classes. It gave me enough room for 4-6 sentences about how the day went.

[mallory4]

Here has what has happened since: I wrote up a summary based on what you all said about journalling and providing documentation and mailed it to him, and emailed him to let him know it was coming.

He called me, though he hadn't rec'd what I sent yet, and asked me some questions about R. I don't know what is typical for GAL's to know and not know, and maybe they are really overburdened and so only get up to speed on a child right before a hearing, but here is some stuff he didn't know:

--That R is developmentally delayed and receiving services 2x perweek.
--That biodad refused to give persmission for those services and so the sworker had to go to court to get it.
--That neither bdad or bgrandpa has ever clapped eyes on R, nor made any effort to--other than saying they wanted to and then not following up to schedule a visit.
--The number and nature of the offenses for which biodad was incarcerated.
--Whether biodad was working his plan.

It seems to me that all of these things should be taken into consideration, so I am very glad I got to speak to the GAL.

He also told me the opposite of what the county worker told me: she had said there was no reason for me to attend TPR hearings because I had no standing. The GAL said that we should definitely attend and testify.

He also said we had nothing to worry about and should not be scared. I know it isn't up to him, so I don't feel totally confident, but I do feel better.

What if I had just listened to my social worker and never contacted the GAL? Scary.

[lakin11]

Okay I know we are still clueless to how the real world works in the foster care system, but isn't the point of the GAL to represent the needs of the child? To be their voice in court?! HOW can someone be the voice to a child they've never had any contact with?! Or in Mallory's case have hardly any knowledge of the child's situation!? I know that the SW's are spread thin and too many cases/person, but that just seems ridiculous that the GAL would be so clueless.
I guess we'll find out soon enough!
Shannon

[mallory4]

R's GAL came out to meet him right before the holiday. He seemed very friendly and down to earth, and reassured us that we have nothing to worry about.

In fact, he said that even if bdad makes progress on his plan between today and the TPR hearing, it won't matter because the TPR has already been ordered--it was what he should have done prior to that (and didn't do) that mattered.

I didn't know that--I thought that anything could crop up at any time?

Anyway, we are a bit more relaxed and have *almost* started planning the adoption party--don't want to jinx ourselves, but can't resist thinking about it all being legal!

[TAC]

Mallory,

Glad to hear your news...wishing you much joy in the new year...

Pat

[gregorysparents]

Mallory,

You are still in my thoughts and prayers.

Christina

[lisajm54]

When my daughters GAL came out she didn't spend much time talking to me at all. She and my daughter went into the family room by themselves and talked and played for about an hour. When she was done, she said she felt my daughter was where she should be and would recommend adoption. What happens at this visit may depend on the age of your child. Mine is 6 so she was able to speak for herself.

lisajm54

[5starday]

I send frequent e-mail updates on our fd to her GAL. I send pictures just as often. I wanted her to know that she was a real child and to show her how happy she is with our family.

Our fd's case manager also attempted to steer us clear of contact with the GAL and also told us that it wasn't necessary for us to attend the TPR hearing. The GAL almost insisted that we go to show the judge that we ARE a family. I had a CPS supervisor tell me the same thing. What are the case manager's afraid of? That we'll actually let the court see the whole picture?

To top it off, the case manager almost totally screwed up her testimony at the TPR! She had been asked when the last contact with the birth family had been and she stated that it was January 11th! Duh! It was since November of 2004! The GAL questioned her answer and corrected her reply as soon as she could. Unbelievable!

You did the right thing by contacting the GAL and keeping him up to date on your foster child. They need to know!

[mallory4]

5 Star, I am with you--I can't imagine why they try to discourage fparents from being in contact with the GAL.
I can't think of any way that could help, since it only means the advocate doesn't know much about the child he/she is advocating for.

Just mindboggling, but another example of why these boards are so helpful--if I was doing this in pre-computer days, I would have no way of knowing anything other than what the workers tell me...I can't imagine how vulnerable that would make me feel. I really depend on getting the straight scoop from the experienced fparents on the boards. Thanks, all!

[MomInAL]

OK, I'm sorry if this is a stupid question... but they say the only stupid question is the one you don't ask, so....

Is the GAL the same person as the child's attorney? We know and have met the attorney for our sibling set that we have (he came to IEP meetings at school, etc.) but I don't know who the GAL would be if it is a different person?

Thanks,
MomInAL