[mijojosmom]

I have been a foster parent for a few years now, but have never attended an adjudication hearing.
What exactly is an adjudication hearing and are there any reasons why I should or should not attend.
This hearing is for the parents (not together) of our new 2 year old foster child.
I have voiced my concerns to DHS and CASA and feel like they will be included in the CASA report.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
We are very active foster parents and have attended all court proceedings for our other foster children....except adjudication.

[lambeausam]

The adjudication hearing is where the state presents evidence regarding the charges against the parent(s) - neglect, risk of harm, etc. If the state has sufficient evidence to warrant continued custody, then the child will be made a state ward. If there is insufficient evidence, the judge may dismiss the charges/allegations and send the child(ren) home. This is actually one of the most informational hearings you can attend in the early stages of a case. You will learn the specific charges/allegations and the evidence which warrants custody.

Sam

[AmahMama]

When notified, I go to all of "my" kids hearings. This way I know, myself, what the case plan is and what the judge has ordered for visits etc. I get a feel for where the parents are "at" with their situations. It is usually a slam-dunk hearing and like above, the most informal.

I learn much by attending the hearings and not waiting for someone to "tell" me what has been ordered.

[emcal]

We have 4 foster children, and this is our first placement. we have asked and asked to be "invited to attend anything", but nothing yet! WATING TO HEAR INFO IS THE PITTS!

[mj77]

If you can attend the hearings, please do just in case the child would ever go to adoption. I too am from OR btw!

Though some cw's and CASA's are open with case information, sometimes they aren't. If this is ever the case, by attending court, you can get a better picture of the case. I was soo thankful my son's bsib's fmom went to the last hearing. She was able to tell me how my son's bmom was doing, how she looked... I wanted to know she was alright. She too got a tad bit more info on the case than she'd had before.

The cases I've gone to are only like 10-15 min, but it gave me time to question the child atty if I needed.

Take care. I pm'd you.

[ml4474]

I have tried to attend all of our fc's court dates. The SW told me I was not aloud to go into the court because I'm only a foster parent. I feel like I should be able to go into the court room. The GAL will not talk to me about the children's progress and after 3.5 years we still do not have a CASA. Is the sw required to turn in all of the information she is given? (I have a feeling she hasn't done that but I could be wrong...)

[vernellinnj]

In NJ, FP's can only go into the court when it's time for them to make remarks. FPs cannot be in the court when the case is discussed as the parents have a right to privacy.

My FC's cases have never made it to TPR so I'm not sure if things change at that point Good luck.

[emcal]

i was invited to attend my first case coference this week and during the meeting our social worker asked all of the members of the team if i could attend the cout dates all agreed. yeah i will now get first hand info.