[kimb1005]

MY first foster arrived in late Feb 2009. His older sibs were TPR'd and being adopted--mom is dragging it out by filing an appeal. Newborn brother (May) went to this same home as we could not take him. Mom noncompliant and MIA. Relatives considered but all denied. Today was his 5 month hearing date. I attended and got to met the other foster mom--we hsared photos and talked. The judge asked if we would be considered not just a foster home but a preadoptive resource. What exactly does this mean? Does mom and dad still have 15 out of 22 months or does the timeline change as the older three have already been TPR'd, neither are compliant with either plan or visits and she just had the drug addicted newborn? Any answers would be welcome.

[mommy2fiveplus]

All a preadoptive resource means is that you will be considered for adoption if his case goes to TPR. All other aspects of foster care and his case remains the same. Sometimes if they feel a case will eventually go to TPR they start looking for adoption resources and try to place the child in a foster adopt versus straight foster home. That way a bond can develop early and be maintained. Say you didn't want to adopt, they could move the child to a foster-adopt home and he could have from now until the 15/22 rule comes into effect to bond and then possibly be adopted by the foster-adopt family OR they could keep him with you until the 15/22 monthes is over and then TPR and move him, unfortunately the second option results in his becoming more bonded to you and potentially making the transition to an adoptive home more difficult.

[greenrobin]

I think the answer to what you're asking is this--the 15/22 months started the day they took the child into care. Nobody gets a do-over on time because of a court date. There can be extensions, though.

The court is trying to line up the case so that this child will have a permanent home, be it with you or with another family.

Like the pp said, it's just in case.

[carlychan]

Just because the "limit" is 15 out of 22 doesn't mean they will get that. If they have had TPR's in the past, they probably won't get as much time. The 15/22 "guideline" is for cases that drag out a long time. This doesn't mean that TPR won't happen before that. My FD is TPR'ed and done and she is only 11 months old.

An adoptive resource is just saying you are willing to adopt the child if they become available.

[kimb1005]

Judge really wanted to know what was happening with the TPR appeal on the older 3 kids. He was also the one who wanted to know if I would consider adoption. His one month baby brother is with the 3 older sibs and that mom is also preadoptive for baby. Mom is doing nothing and is not making visits or even contact with SWs. I was just wondering if the timeline was still upheld or if it was shortened in cases like this.

[greenrobin]

In my experience, usually upheld.

Especially if it's the judge doing the asking.

But, judges always surprise me.

[kimb1005]

The judge handles all the foster cases. He's a pretty good judge and has been with this family also for awhile. He gave us what we needed--consent for tube surgery as mom did not respond to any outreach and has not seen my fs since beginning of April and has only seen baby once since he was born in mid- May. It's his decision on TPR for the older ones that mom is appealing. He was the one who specifically asked me if we would be preadoptive and wnated an answer. That suprised me.

[birdiebabee]

In our case the 15/22 doesn't apply. The kids have been in care for just a little over 6 months and TPR trial starts in a week. This is the first time they have been in care and no previous TPRs on either parent. It just depends on the case, situation, and current issues that determine when CPS files TPR.