[6furbabies]

Hello,

I've had my FD for almost 6 months now, and she's never met her GAL. I've never heard from him at all. I met with the sw last week, and she suggested that I give him a call to see if he has any questions for me about my FD or if he would like to come by the house to meet her and see how she's doing. So, I've left him a message to give me a call.

I guess my first question is what exactly should I be sharing with him? Basically, just how far she's progressed since she's been with me? She's only a year and a half old, and I know some of her progression is due to age, but I also feel that some of it has to do with the fact that she's being mentally stimulated more now.

What kind of questions should I have for him (in general)? I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to ask about her parent's progress, or how well her relatives are doing in getting certified to become foster parents (they're going for relative placement).

This is my FD's second GAL. Her parents requested that the first GAL be removed from the case, because she was my FD's bmom's GAL when she was in foster care, so they felt it was a conflict of interest. We, as foster parents do not have any say in who our FC gets as a GAL, right?

Thanks everyone!

[mamachell]

The amount of contact a GAL has with their clients seems to vary from county to county (maybe even state to state). I know our GAL never came to the house but her investigator came out every 6 months. In our case, the GAL is an attorney and she's at court all day so I don't think she'd even have time to come to the house. So, in our county I'd say most GALs don't have any contact with their clients if they are young babies. It would probably change with an older child because they could ask them their wishes, etc.

With such a young child, I may not push for the GAL to come out but I would get their email and send email updates and make sure he knows how well your fc is doing. Also, I found they may call you before a hearing otherwise they are working on whatever is the case right before them.

[mommytoEli]

i think it is ok to ask how the case is progressing. i always knew how the parent was doing on the plan and what relatives where doing as far as possible placements. i think it is important for a caregiver to know how much longer a child may be with you. regardless, i don't think it hurts to ask.

[6furbabies]

Thanks!

I just find it odd that this man is arguing in court about what is best for this child, when he's never met her, and doesn't know what kind of situation she's in currently.

DSS has told me in the past that he does have access to the weekly updates I send to the social worker. He's supposed to review those updates before each court date.

It just feels to me that if I were a GAL, I'd want to see for myself how that child is doing... seems crazy to me that they don't meet the children they are the advocate for.

[parenting-over-40]

It does seem odd that he is arguing in court for her behalf when he hasn't met her. My FK's have always met their GAL. I take the little ones. So, all of my FK's have been non-verbal but GAL comes by for visit regardless.

When he comes just follow his lead. They usually have questions for you. Feel free to ask him anything about the case.

[Larue]

We discussed the same things with our FD's GAL that we would with her CW during a home visit. Her progress, development, any health concerns, etc. We also let her GAL know that we wanted to be considered as a permanent placement if RU or a relative placement doesn't occur, and the goal is ever changed to adoption. We also let him know that we are 100% committed to our FD, and if she ever reentered the system in the future, that we would want to be considered as a placement. And that we would keep our licence active. Can you tell we love her.

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking about the status of your FD's case, and whether relatives have made progress in getting certified. After all, it has a direct impact on you, and it would allow you to help your FD transition to a new home if you knew the potential timeline.

Best wishes!!!

[6furbabies]

Thanks everyone. I actually spoke to the GAL last night, and I feel much better about things. He informed me that he has already met my FD (which I was never told) during a doctor's visit that the sw took her to when she first came into care. But, he said he would like to see her again before court next month, so he will be calling me sometime soon to set up a date and time to meet with both me and the sw at my house.