[deadcalm]

Once a week the agency picks up Bright Eyes for her visit with her mother. Last week I placed the baby in the van and noticed that they don't use a car seat, which I thought was strange. But, even more strange was the fact that the caseworker left the baby in the back and got in the front of the van with the driver. So, I decided to buy a carseat for the safety of Bright Eyes. Since, I don't drive and know nothing about baby carseats, suggestions are welcome.

FYI: She is 35 pounds.

[ca-bigsister]

I would not allow a baby in a van without a car seat, even if it was SW. I would call the police and let them talk to SW.

[o2b30again]

This is child indangerment and reportable. Do not spend your own money on a carseat. There are programs through the childs insurance that will cover them. Contact Public Health.

Personally I wouldn't allow them to leave unless they have a carseat. SW or not. Apparently she isn't doing her job very well!

Also if this is a child that is a potential long term placement or adoption I would suggest that you definatly not buy the carseat. I used all of mine for the transport of our 11m old FD. Now at the age of 18m if she sits in it she pulls her hair out and eats it. She has PTSD because of that stupid carseat. Every time she is in it she thinks she is going back. I had to purchase one and to get something different we ended up paying 180.00. Oh and washing it didn't help. The seat had to sit differently. Worth the money as she now has hair but I had to invest in it...twice!

Just my 2 cents!

[jcm]

Wow. I had to read that several times over to make sure I wasn't missing anything! I cannot believe the agent of a state would be so careless with a child. I cannot fathom in a million years why a LICENSED social worker would drive around with a baby NOT in a car seat. If she gets pulled over, she's screwed. I'd be making calls all over that agency.

Wow. Still floored. I agree with the other poster about not spending your own money, but in the mean time your little one needs to be safe. Sorry, no advice on the car seat...as I am still trying to figure that one out for myself.

[athikers]

Is it a new van that is equipped with a five point harness system? Some are now and in that case, car seats are not required.

But, if not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not leave the baby in that car again.
That is so wrong on so many levels.

My son has permanent, life altering disabilities due to not being properly restrained in a car. Please, please, please, don't let her leave again if not in a car seat.

And as others have said, I would report it.

[hrisme]

Yeah...wanting to know what the resolution is here! One of the reasons my friend's boys were finally removed was failure to properly restrain the boys in the car (as someone else said this is considered child endangerment). I don't know *any* state where a 22 month old can legally ride in a vehicle without a carseat. I'd be on the phone to the supervisor NOW. Carseats & boosters are required even for last minute removals, here many of the state cars for DCFS have them in the cars & ready to go.

Presumably, this is an open cab van & not one in which the child is separated from the driver/front passenger seat by a solid barrier?

Absolutely do NOT buy the carseat yourself if it is to be used soley by the caseworker for transportation.

[parenting-over-40]

Agencies like this give Foster Agencies in general a bad name. It sounds to me like the Agency itself needs to be investigated. How many more children are they endangering? ? ? Just makes me mad.

Okay, now to answer your question . . . My understanding is this CW and Transporter are part of your agency and not CPS. Is that correct? ? ? If so, then do you know the CW for Bright Eyes that works for CPS? I would report it directly to the CPS Case Worker. Tell them you have stopped visits until a proper car seat is provided.

Or, as PP stated, you can call the Police. Tell the Police what time the agency is scheduled to pick up Bright Eyes next time and have them meet the Agency at your house.

It is our responsibility as Foster Parents to protect these children. BTW, you can also call the child's GAL and/or Attorney. They would be all over this information.

[chloroxsis]

I would first ask the worker because it doesn't make sense. I am guessing her car is equipped with a "built-in" seat.

[MommyAlysia]

I had the same reaction as everyone else-it seems like child endangerment to me. But, I am wondering, is it some type public transportation that is exempt from seat belt laws? I know its a stretch but I can't believe a SW would do something so ignorant!

[irelady10]

Am I correct by reading your signature that your fc is 22 months old? If this is the case, I CANNOT BELIEVE that she would be transported without a carseat.

I agree with the other PP- I would not allow her in the van until there is a carseat, and I would not buy one with my own money. It is the agency's responsibility to transport your child and this includes securing her safely in the vehicle. I am shocked that an agency related to child welfare would not put a baby in a carseat!

Let us know what happens!

[Ashley-n-D]

Originally Posted by MommyAlysia

I had the same reaction as everyone else-it seems like child endangerment to me. But, I am wondering, is it some type public transportation that is exempt from seat belt laws? I know its a stretch but I can't believe a SW would do something so ignorant!

I know that in my state econoline vans do count in the no carseat execption but that doesn't make it right and if your going to use public trans or what not and the child isn't strapped in then an adult should be there next to them at all times !!!

[arbuckle17]

22 mo should still be a 4 pt that faces forward.

I agree you should not be making the purchase. The seats are not exactly cake to take in and out of the cars, so it would serve the dept to have one purchased that stays in there.

[shaylynn]

Yes, I would say to put the child in a car seat for it's own saftey. I am sorta having that dilema myself right now but with a 5 yr old. Just turned 5 but is over 100 lbs but also short. It is a little difficult due to his physic to get up in to the seat but I checked with the local police station and they say that if over 100 they could possibly go without a booster but since he is 7 inches under the height requirement to go without a booster seat, they said it would basically be up to the individual police officer as if I would get a ticket or not. Our state law is booster or harness seat until age 6 except for on public transportation bus or school bus. I make him sit in a booster seat otherwise the shoulder belt comes right across his face. His own mom doesn't use anything though but I am making the transport workers and anybody else that transports him use the booster seat for both his safety and to cover my butt if an accident were to ever happen,.

[arbuckle17]

Shay if you are concerned about it, stop by your local police station and have an officer come out and tell you what he thinks. Takes his badge number and if it becomes an issue tell the officer pulling you over that the officer with this badge number told you this when you checked.

They won't argue if you were proactive about figuring it out (our officers will actually come to your house if you ask them for help with car seats).

[DPline]

Many police and fire stations do not have officers who are CPS techs to advise you on carseat installation and usage. They can tell you the law, but are not trained to be providing car seat advice. (Some do, but don't assume because they are a police officer they know about car seats.) If you follow this link https://ssl13.cyzap.net/dzapps/dbzap...AFEKIDSCERTSQL you can put in your zip code and find a qualifed tech in your area.