[EandDmom]

Since this is my first placement I have no idea if this is normal. Our fkids have been here two weeks and the advocate is doing her 3rd visit in the morning. I am by no means complaining I actually like having her stop by. She is very nice and very concerned about the kids she tries to answer my questions the best she can but this is a new job for her so she doesn't know anymore than I do usually. I'm just wondering if she is just super excited about this new job or if this is really how it works.

[quiescentfury]

My kids don't have an advocate. They do have a guardian ad Litem, but being in care with us for 18 months, they have never met him, not once. I talked to him 3 mintues after the initial hearing. He has never contacted me since. I don't know his name or phone number.

In my opinion she is really excited, she has not been run down by the system yet, and she probably is a great advocate. They are not all like that.

[bethy724]

She is super excited & that's great!!! My son had 3 different advocates & saw each 1 or 2 times in 2 years. I'm happy to hear a positive about an advocate - I didn't have that experience.

[EandDmom]

Originally Posted by quiescentfury

In my opinion she is really excited, she has not been run down by the system yet, and she probably is a great advocate. They are not all like that.

We are one of her first cases. She told me today that she has 4 cases. She and her husband want to do foster care but can't yet because he is a fireman and is doing some kind of training. She is a mother of 6 and cute as a button. I don't know how old she is but I know she has some teenagers. I swear though she looks almost like a teenager herself. She came over today and brought 2 books with her and just sat and read to the kids and played with them for about half an hour and left. I think I'm probably going to get spoiled by her and then next placement I'll be sadly disappointed in whoever I get. I hope not though.

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Originally Posted by EandDmom

I think I'm probably going to get spoiled by her and then next placement I'll be sadly disappointed in whoever I get.

Yes, you will! So eat this up honey It will be so nice should these kids need someone to help them---the person will actually feel a connection to them (much like you) and know them well enough to be able to truly voice their best interests.

How refreshing.

[EandDmom]

Originally Posted by xxsurroundedbyxy

Yes, you will! So eat this up honey It will be so nice should these kids need someone to help them---the person will actually feel a connection to them (much like you) and know them well enough to be able to truly voice their best interests.

How refreshing.

She is getting very attached to the kids already which I love cause I know she will fight for them when if they need it. She informed me she was planning on telling the judge the kids need to stay here for awhile so mom can get it together this time. This is 2nd placement since april for these kids. Advocate wants mom to take extra time and get it right this time so she doesn't have anymore problems. Who knows if the judge will listen but I hope so these are sweet kids and I hate the thought of them having to keep going through getting pulled from their mom.

[RobinKay]

Originally Posted by EandDmom

She is getting very attached to the kids already which I love cause I know she will fight for them when if they need it. She informed me she was planning on telling the judge the kids need to stay here for awhile so mom can get it together this time. This is 2nd placement since april for these kids. Advocate wants mom to take extra time and get it right this time so she doesn't have anymore problems. Who knows if the judge will listen but I hope so these are sweet kids and I hate the thought of them having to keep going through getting pulled from their mom.

I hope she is aware of what the plan is for these children and is supporting it. Is she also talking to others involved in the case, such as the bmother or the children's teachers? (Don't know if they are school age or not).

It is wonderful to hear they have a stable situation with you. Best of luck with everything!

[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Originally Posted by RobinKay

I hope she is aware of what the plan is for these children and is supporting it. Is she also talking to others involved in the case, such as the bmother or the children's teachers?

You must keep in mind that this is the CHILDREN'S advocate. It is not their job to help and support mom...that is what the caseworkers are supposed to do (and rarely do which is why many bioparents have the children removed repeatedly). I agree that the parents need support and everyone's goal should be reunification (when safe and reasonable) but the advocate's job is to decide what is in the child's best interest....not the mom or teacher's. The previous post stated:

"She informed me she was planning on telling the judge the kids need to stay here for awhile so mom can get it together this time. This is 2nd placement since april for these kids. Advocate wants mom to take extra time and get it right this time so she doesn't have anymore problems. "

So it sounds as though she is VERY supportive of mom in that she wants mom to make it this time and do so in a manner that will be stable enough to last and cause the children less pain.

Kim