[misstonicee]

We had our FD's permanency hearing yesterday. It was a little weird because we were in the building with her parents and we hadn't met them yet. We were actually sitting about 6 feet away from her dad and didn't know it. The supervising cw came up to us and started talking about the case (and her dad's issues) with him sitting next to us. That could have been really awkward. We asked to be introduced and he agreed. So he seemes like a very nice man who just made some mistakes. We went into the court room and her mom came in with her dad and their lawyers. We were allowed to make a statement and then we had to leave. I kind of liked getting to meet him because my opinion of him is different now then when he was this "bad" guy that I envisioned in my mind.

The outcome of the case was that they are moving it to the adoption unit. So now we begin the process of TPR. I know that the dad will appeal, not sure about the mom. I also think that the dad will name family members, but no one has seemed interested so far (12 months into the case). Does anyone have any information they can share about the process? How long can it take? What should we be doing if anything to move the process along?

Thanks.

[JJemail1]

Hi Misstonicee,

Congratulations on your latest ruling--that's a step in the right direction! The TPR hearing should be scheduled within 3 months. If TPR is granted, you may file for adoption 45 days after TPR and/or as soon as DYFS completes your adoption package (which they tend to do slowly so keep on top of them)! If parents appeal, you'll of course have to wait for that decision before filing for adoption. For now, keep attending ALL HEARINGS and keep issuing a statment--even if it's only an update. The more the judge(s) sees you, the better.

During the interim, since the case is being moved to the adoption unit, here's a heads up on the contents of the adoption package, some of which you can start working on now (ask your new caseworker for forms):

We're hoping for TPR soon too.

Here's what's required on your part before adoption (DYFS should provide you with the forms):

1. Pre-adopt Medical (blood test for sickle cell (for AA children), lead for all children under 5, TB for all children 9 months and older).

2. Dental check-up by dentist for children over 3 years of age. Dental check-up by doctor for children under 3 years of age.

3. Psychological evaluation or signed waiver by adoptive parents (which basically states that you see no problems with your child's psychological health and will assume full responsibility should something change after adoption).

4. School report (filled out by teach for school-age children/by daycare for infants, toddlers, pre-k).

5. Current adoption homestudy/foster home certification (The study conducted for your foster license will likely suffice. The worker may come into your home to do an interview with you--a sort of update to an outdated study.)

6. Letter of intent to adopt. You can write anything from a few lines to a few pages about your desire to adopt your foster child. The letter can be addressed "To Whom it May Concern" or directly to your caseworker.

7. Fingerprinting--doesn't matter if you just did it, you have to do it again (DYFS will pay/set up appt. for you)

Here's what DYFS has to do prior to adoption:

1. Obtain birth certificate
2. Obtain Guardianship order or legal clearance (TPR)
3. Write up and/provide 20-page medical report on child to foster parents (when possible)
4. Write up/provide indivual family assessment (when possible)
5. Adoption summary (I don't know what this is)
6. IV-E determination (I don't know what this is)
7. Subsidy forms and SAR for any increased board rates and approved subsidy waiver if applicable
8. Court report (that's that homestudy-like sit-down I referenced above)
9. CHRI/Promis Gavel & CARI background checks (fingerprinting results)
10. Adoption assessment
11. MVR (Minimal Visitation Requirement--your monthly visit from the caseworker)

I always recommend printing this list out and reviewing it with your adoption caseworker to get your ducks in a row and formulate a plan to complete everything.

Best wishes to you!
Jennifer

[JJemail1]

Slight amendment: we're not "hoping for TPR too"--we've already adopted! (I cut and pasted my list from an old post I wrote...LOL)

Best wishes!
Jennifer

[gigisam]

Originally Posted by JJemail1

Slight amendment: we're not "hoping for TPR too"--we've already adopted! (I cut and pasted my list from an old post I wrote...LOL)

Best wishes!
Jennifer

I was wondering if there was a new baby in your life when I read that!

[msgypsylee]

Here was my timeline:

Permenancy hearing at 12 mos (Aug 07)---changed to adoption unit.

Parents still offered services, visits continued, court dates scheduled every 3 mos.

Feb 08--no progress made by parent, judge scheduled a mediation in March 08.

March 08--parents did an identified surrender to me at mediation (I was in shock!!)

Adoption completed November 08 (national adoption day)

Good Luck to all of you.

[misstonicee]

WOW! That is awesome. Our resource worker said it could take 6 months and if the parents appeal it could take much more time. She has seen cases go for years she said.

Once the rights are terminated, can the adoption happen immediately?

[mamala]

Originally Posted by misstonicee

WOW! That is awesome. Our resource worker said it could take 6 months and if the parents appeal it could take much more time. She has seen cases go for years she said.

Once the rights are terminated, can the adoption happen immediately?

If the parents don't appeal, then it COULD be finalized in 6 months if DYFS has all their stuff (listed by the pp) completed. Odds of that? Depends on your county. As I understand it, Essex is notoriously slow. But any child adopted through any means must live in your home for 6 months before you can finalize--even if it were a private adoption.

5. Adoption summary (I don't know what this is)

I believe this is the 3-6 page summative history of the child and the child's birth family that is usually in front of the 20-page medical.

6. IV-E determination (I don't know what this is)

This is for subsidy--to see if they qualify.