[Kara J]

Hi! Hope I can get a few pointers here... my husband and I are new foser parents and have a BEAUTIFUL 6 week old baby girl that we have had since she was 6 days old. We have been asked to attend her staffing meeting tomorrow and I am really a bit nervous! What should we expect? What type of things will be discussed? How should we dress... really professionally like for court or more casual? Any help will be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks in advance! ...KARA

P.S. We are located in Texas...

[mj77]

We dress casual (no dried milk on clothes though--lol). Jeans and a clean shirt are fine for us. They will probably just discuss where the case is at and where it is going. If a judge is present, they may make some recommendations. It just gives the state the opportunity to let the court know where the case is at--that they aren't just sitting around.

[Kara J]

Thanks so much! I will try REALLy hard not to have milk stains...but she does have reflux...LOL.... A judge is supposed to be present.... who all usually attends or is invited? What happens if the BP's don't show?


So sorry for all the questions... but SOOOOOOO much to learn!

Thanks again... Kara

[shycar]

Here we have staffing meeting every 6 months. Here we dont get a judge. Usually who goes are the foster parents, the sw, the gal, the b-parents and somebody from the state. They just discuss how the case is going, who is doing what and if the goals should stay the same. This meeting is usually for the state, they want to make sure the county is doing things correctly and that everyone has support. We have Baby M next week. I know her b-parents are not going since they dissapeared. Hmmm how can someone dissapear . Oh and I wear jeans and a clean shirt nothing biggie.

Good Luck

[brl]

I have only been to two. It was casual. Never had a judge.
It seemed to be just a meeting to see where everything was. I just got asked how the kids were doing etc...

It is a good chance to see everyone and to meet the bios' and let them see you and relieve them of any worries.

[Kara J]

Thanks so much guys! I will check back in tomorrow and let you know how I made it...LOL :-)

[mj77]

Sometimes our staffings were in front of a judge, sometimes in front of a Citizen Review Board (CRB). Attorneys representing the child, and the birthparents are usually present as well as the cw or a fill in for them.