[iammykidsmom]

So, if the case plan says on a concurrent plan 'reunification is the first choice'. second choice is 'placement with fit and willing relative' does that mean that's all they will consider? the CW said there isn't a fit and willing relative she'd approve and probably one doesnt' exist. how much stock do we put in that?

[greenrobin]

Basically, yes. At this time that is all they are considering.

It doesn't, however, stop them from changing the case plan later.

Our kids' family started out straight RU, then around the 10th month went to RU/appropriate relative (which, like your kids', didn't exist), then just after 12 months changed to RU/non-relative adoption, then straight adoption a month or so later and then we had the TPR trial.

Tomorrow we finalize.

It's a waiting game sometimes.

Sometimes parents pull it together and get their kids back. Sometimes a great relative pops up and kids go there. Sometimes it goes to non-relative adoption.

You just wait.

[chevyjewel]

The ONLY thing you ever put stock in is RU happening.

I wouldn't let another thought about it enter my mind until that was officially off the table.

[fredalina]

Don't know the specifics of your case, and mine hasn't been TPR'd yet so who knows. But it was indicated to us that the dept was going to pursue a "sole goal of adoption", even in an email, at the permanency meeting.

The bios have been MIA since they checked out of the hospital (fake addresses, etc), and they've had multiple other kids TPR'd and adopted out for severe drug issues. (Neither of the previous adopters wanted to pursue D). There were previously no fit relatives, and that has continued with D.

We sat down at the permanency meeting and they do not pursue a "sole goal of adoption". In fact, they pursue a dual goal of RU with birthparents and exit to a relative. Despite the fact that there are no birthparents and there are no fit relatives! (In their defense, it is dept policy to have 2 goals, and the primary one should always be RU).

At the permanency hearing, the magistrate said, and i quote, "Why the heck would i do that?!?" He reset the court date for a month later, and at THAT hearing, he agreed with the perm plan with a sole goal of adoption.

Take that FWIW, but the moral of the story is you just never know until TPR, and even then there could be some relative crawl out of the woodwork.