[faithlovehope09]

DH and I have had our current FS for 5 weeks. During this time, the police have been out to the apartment for domestic violence, the mom was arrested and taken to jail because she beat up on dad, and mom has missed 2 visits. They get 1 hour each one day a week. Dad has only missed 1 visit and that was because he had to show up in court for the DV charges against the mom. Dad has a job and supposedly mom was getting a job but i'm not sure. The case recently went to a new worker and she doesn't keep us posted on things as good as the first worker did. The first worker would call the police station to get reports and everything else so i'm hoping that this one does the same thing. There is an aunt that expressed interested in having a homestudy done to get our FS and she said she was moving and has not contacted the county or started the process whatsoever. in my opinion she could be dragging her feet to see if Dad and Mom are going to get him back because i couldn't leave my nephew in Foster Care for 5 weeks and i'm sorry, it doesn't take that long to move!!!! Mom and dad have an upcoming court date end of February with judge and children services and i'm wondering is there a chance the judge would give him back then? I just would like to get some opinions. We just love this little guy and it's going to be soooo hard to see him go. He's our very first placement and we have no bio kids. it's so hard when you dont get a whole lot of answers and you are dealing with 3 different caseworkers it's nuts! i would appreciate any input or to know if anyone else has had a similar situation?
thank you!

[mamachell]

I know it's so hard when you don't know which way a case is going.

When you accepted the placement what did the CW say? Did he/she say it was very temporary?

Also, it would depend on what is their history with the system. Have other kids gone into the system or been adopted?

If this is just the first time they will probably have a case plan with DV classes, etc. and if they work that they'll probably get him back but I'm not sure when. I know there are several hearings in a row: 1st to decide if DCFS should return the child or if there is enough evidence to keep the child in care; then a case plan, status hearings, etc. Sounds like maybe this is the hearing where they determine the case plan.

I don't have a lot of experience with the system but good luck.

Mamachell

[faithlovehope09]

Originally Posted by mamachell

I know it's so hard when you don't know which way a case is going.

When you accepted the placement what did the CW say? Did he/she say it was very temporary?

Also, it would depend on what is their history with the system. Have other kids gone into the system or been adopted?

If this is just the first time they will probably have a case plan with DV classes, etc. and if they work that they'll probably get him back but I'm not sure when. I know there are several hearings in a row: 1st to decide if DCFS should return the child or if there is enough evidence to keep the child in care; then a case plan, status hearings, etc. Sounds like maybe this is the hearing where they determine the case plan.

I don't have a lot of experience with the system but good luck.

Mamachell

The mom and Dad do not have any other children. they have no phone, no car, and i think they just got an apartment but i'm not positive. Mom is bipolar and has post pardum depression and then the DV situation.
The plan from the beginning was RU and temporary placement but that is the goal at first with most of their placements.

[jllambert]

With all that going on it is unlikely the judge will return the child at this hearing! I believe they will set up services for the parents. Even if the Aunt steps up for your FS it will take time to get her homestudy done, and there is always a chance she won't pass the homestudy!
With the CW I would call from time to time to try and see what is happening, but also email (that gives you apaper trail) that way if cw does not answer you can go to supervisor and request some answers (do this as a last resort you want cw to be on your side as much as possible) and you will have proof you have tried getting answeres from cw first.
Also if FS has CASA get to know them! They are very very helpful (most of the time) and have access to most of the same info as CW! GAL is also a good resource, and can often key you in to what is going on!
I know it is hard, confusing, and so very emotional (it is like this on all cases)! Try to stay calm and have a positive attitude, but be persistent!
Enjoy the todays and try not to worry to much about the tomorrows! Easy to say hard to do, but in the end it will make your time with FS so much better!!

[craftingmama]

it could take the caseworker months to do the homestudy on a family member.. that's been our experience at least.

[faithlovehope09]

Originally Posted by jllambert

With all that going on it is unlikely the judge will return the child at this hearing! I believe they will set up services for the parents. Even if the Aunt steps up for your FS it will take time to get her homestudy done, and there is always a chance she won't pass the homestudy!
With the CW I would call from time to time to try and see what is happening, but also email (that gives you apaper trail) that way if cw does not answer you can go to supervisor and request some answers (do this as a last resort you want cw to be on your side as much as possible) and you will have proof you have tried getting answeres from cw first.
Also if FS has CASA get to know them! They are very very helpful (most of the time) and have access to most of the same info as CW! GAL is also a good resource, and can often key you in to what is going on!
I know it is hard, confusing, and so very emotional (it is like this on all cases)! Try to stay calm and have a positive attitude, but be persistent!
Enjoy the todays and try not to worry to much about the tomorrows! Easy to say hard to do, but in the end it will make your time with FS so much better!!

Hi, I keep seeing CASA on here but had no idea what it was!!! I googled it and obviously i figured it out but i dont know that my FS would even have one? i'll definitely check with the CW on that but what is GAL? oh gosh i'm so new no one tells us anything!