[mommy09]

We have had our current fs/3 for about a month now and his 6 month hearing was yesterday. Well the sw called while I was out and left a message saying that nothing was decided and that the case was going to trial next month and for us to plan on having "E" till then. Then she went on to say that she wanted my husband and I to discuss "what our feelings about the future would be". She said that if judge decides not to reunify with bio-parents that "E" will have to go somewhere. The way she kept talking about it made it sound like it might be a huge possibility. I've tried calling her back but she hasn't called me yet. We have a lot of questions. Are they talking "long term foster care (if that exists), guardianship or adoption????????????????? Is guardianship the same as doing foster care- do you still receive financial assistance or does it change- and how so???? We live in CA. so if anyone knows how this works I'd appreciate some more info...

[o2b30again]

My interpretation of her asking "think about the future" She was basically asking you to be prepared to answer whether you are interested in being an adoptive placement option for this child. By the sound of things it is still up in the air. If your interested try not to get your hopes up. One thing I have learned through this process is that nothing ever happens the way you think it will. Even when I thought of the worst possibilities.

Best of luck!

[greenrobin]

I agree--just trying to line up the ducks.

FWIW, every time we went to a status hearing, we'd be asked about what we saw as the kids' future with us. I'd honestly be questioning if they meant trial for TPR next month or if it's another status thing.

The reason? 6 months is a very short amount of time before termination. Parents usually get about 12 mos. to work a plan.

Hang on. The ride is probably going to get quite bumpy!

[o2b30again]

Both of my sib sets were only in care 6 month. Law here is 6 months for children under 8.

[ca-bigsister]

I did legal guardianship in CA, but FD was 13 at the time and did not want to be adopted because she still saw biofamily. I kept foster care payments when I was her guardian.

I don't think they would allow guardianship for a 3 year old. But check with your SW. Usually they want a permanent family for little ones which of course make sense.

[mommy09]

She said that they were doing something (having a hearing???)on the 30th to avoid going to trial on the 4th. The cw is wanting to discontinue services for parents.My sw told me she doubts they will come to a compromise on the 30th and to expect it to go to trial. When cases go to trial does it mean tpr??

E's dad is an alcoholic who won't get help and is not following through with case plan. And from what I understand mom is not really mentally capable to be a parent. They have 4 kids under the age of 5. 5-4-3&2!
Kids are not together because they sexually act out together.

[o2b30again]

Sounds like on the 30th they are going to try to get the parents to volutarily TPR. It will probably be a meeting with everyone involved in the case. The county will then present their intentions. You mentioned the stopage of services with the intent to terminate. They did this with our children. Of course nothing happened and court date was scheduled. 5 days before court parents signed. They tend to just buy as much time as they can.

[mommy09]

I messed up when I said that Friday was 6 month hearing. Mom and Dad have had a whole year but are not cooperating. CPS think they have had enough time and want to terminate services but mom and Dad want 6 more months.. My sw told me it all depends on how creative the attorneys get. To top it of mom and dad currently don't have a place of their own they are staying somewhere temporarily- so technically they are homeless... It's a mess.
Everything is up in the air. We don't know what the options are if the judge decides to terminate... Are they going to place him in long term fc, guardianship or adoption? Also we don't know whether they will look for a home for all 5 kids together. We just don't know yet. We didn't start foster care with intentions to adopt but I hate to see him go. My sw said she wants us to discuss it so if it comes up we have more than a day to decide....

[greenrobin]

Now I understand! Sorry, I'm a little dense sometimes.

Here's my understanding of terminating services--or not, as the case may be. If the parents have made any kind of progress, judges will feel a little more inclined to give them an extension. In our kids' case, their mom had a pattern of 1 step forward, 2 steps back, so services were terminated 2 weeks prior to the 1 year mark.

Then we still waited another 5 months before we actually went to the termination trial. Then we waited another 3 months before they moved the kids to the adoptive unit. Then we waited another 3 months before we finalized 2 weeks ago.

You are so right when you say you have more than a day to decide!

Praying that the judge in this case can see the best thing for the children involved!

[mamachell]

They also terminated services in our case at the 6 month hearing. Cases move more quickly for children under 3. It actually took about 2 extra months after the 6 month hearing because of a few contests by bps.

I think DCS is looking to line up an adoptive placement. It doesn't mean that's what will happen but to move towards TPR they usually need to have a child in an adoptive home or be actively searching for one. Some places do TPR without an adoptive home but a lot of judges do want to see that the child will have some permanence before they just legally free them. I also think it helps bolster the case for TPR.

[mommy09]

Case went to trial yesterday but still haven't heard anything from CPS. My agency has called them and left messages but still nothing. What the heck? Does it normally take this long to find out the results? I asked my sw if she thought they decided anything and she said that she was sure that they did. It would be nice to know what was going on. Oh well. Hopefully I will get some news tomorrow............

[breakspencils]

I wish here they went to TPR in 6 months. Our bio parents have done very little on their case plan and yet, we're coming up on the one year mark. We are fostering a 2 year old and a 6 month old. what is up with giving them forever to work a plan?

[chloroxsis]

If you don't hear tomorrow, call the GAL. They can tell you what happened.

Good luck!

[mommytoEli]

Originally Posted by mommy09

Case went to trial yesterday but still haven't heard anything from CPS. My agency has called them and left messages but still nothing. What the heck? Does it normally take this long to find out the results? I asked my sw if she thought they decided anything and she said that she was sure that they did. It would be nice to know what was going on. Oh well. Hopefully I will get some news tomorrow............

sometimes it takes a few days to find out what happend if the social worker did not go to court. then they are at the mercy of the atty or clerk at the court to get them the info they need.

[mommy09]

I wish here they went to TPR in 6 months. Our bio parents have done very little on their case plan and yet, we're coming up on the one year mark. We are fostering a 2 year old and a 6 month old. what is up with giving them forever to work a plan?
Reply With Quote

I was mistaken when I said that this was their 6 mo hearing. Come to find out kids were in another foster home for a year before they switched them to my agency. So it has actually been 18 mo.