[KelleyF]

We are a foster only home. Our fs's plan is RU, but things aren't going very well with the bio's. Even though our fs spends weekends with them, things are very shakey. They have had the same amount of visits for 3 months now and at court the other day they decided to keep everything the same. Next court date is in two months. The cw told me as of right now they're not going to take any visits away but they're certainly not going to add any. The bio's seem to be more cognitively delayed then they expected so they don't want to move things forward. From what I see, the weekend visits were given much too prematurely and now that the cw see's they've made a mistake, they're just going to leave things alone for now. There has never been a good visit, but for some reason they won't back up and take any away. Anyway, I was wondering if I should tell the cw that if things started looking towards TPR that we would be interested in adoption. I'm wondering if that would change anything in the way they are handling the case?
I know when I had my first placement they worked and worked on trying to get the bdad on his feet (bmom was out of the picture and bdad was constantly in and out of jail) but once a family told the cw they were interested in adopting them, they turned all their focus to TPR. I just don't know if they will think I'm voicing my concerns for my fs only because I want to adopt. Right now they are always asking me about the visits and they take everything I say very seriously. I wonder if that will change once they know I want to adopt.

[RobinKay]

I think you should speak up. Put the children first-if the parents cannot care for them, and the children are happy and safe with you--let's get them settled permantly with a forever family.

Don't feel guilty about offering you home--you did not create this situation; you can provide a solution for the children.

Good luck!

[melissa77]

I think you should say something as well. I've heard that some states won't even consider TPR until they know they have potential families lined up for adoption. I don't know how true it is, but it might help move things along. Good luck!

[KelleyF]

I just don't want them to think my concerns are based on the fact that I have an "ulterier motive" to adopt.

[KIDZRUS]

In NYS we have to have concurent planning which means that at about 3 months into the placement they ask all FP if they would be willing to adopt the child if they are not able to be reunified with the bio parents. In fact here if you say no you would not consider adoption they can move the child to another foster home that would provide permancy if it is needed. So I think that you voicing that you would provide permancy if it is needed may just give them the ability to move with the case the way they would like.
Also our CW tells us all the time that she lets things go, because she has to be able to tell the judge that they have done "dillegent effort" in reunification. It's very frustrating to hear and harder still to live through. Good luck!

[sunsetsky]

Is my case ... I attended permanency and told the judge that "if this case cannot be reunified I would love to adopt my fs. This was the case plan by DSS. The judge thanked me and order TPR. Everyone was shocked. There laws that protect your fs child. Timeframes--- Check your state.