AboutTerrie Expertise Hello, I am an adoptive mom, past foster parent, I also work with a support group for potential and current birth and adoptive parents. I am also very knowledgable about Open and Private adoption. As well as using a lawyer, counseling, Homestudies, Also Legal Guardianship.
Experience I am an adoptive mom, on online community leader, as well as I am the founder of an Support group for adoption, We help potential birth and adoptive parent's. Find answer's to their need. I also can refer them to appropriate resources.
Organizations United thru Adoption,Online community Leader on adoption concerning Open Adoption and Adopting an Older child.
Expert: Terrie Date: 12/4/2007 Subject: trying to adopt my nephew from from foster care
Question My nephew is in foster care. He was just recently moved (8weeks ago)into a home in which my mother the childs half sibling and the half siblings mother reside. My brother and his girlfriends rights are going to be terminated. DHS told us to have a family meeting to decided what the best placement for the child would be. Our home was chosen, because of stability and the fact that he is my nephew and I love him. However, DHS has been talking to the mother of the half sibling and told her not to worry that she will be able to adopt him and that no other family will be considered. This was done behind everyones back with no family involved what so ever. I told the case worker that we want him to stay in the family, the case worker keeps saying over and over that he will be in the family because the siblings mother is family and is the current foster parent in the household. If she is to adopt him he is no longer related to any of us, how is that keeping him in the family? Also, the only way that she was able to become a foster parent is because Dhs figured my mothers income with hers because she did not make enough to cover her own expenses. My mother has moved out in the last few days, so shouldn't that be considered?
I guess my question is, how can DHS do this to the child and to all the paternal and maternal family? What are the procedures when the parents rights are terminated and the child is placed for adoption? Do the courts decide or is it set in stone by DHS.
Melissa
Answer Melissa, I use to be a foster parent for many years. We were always told that when it came to the child being placed for adoption that birth family rights were considered first, you should talk to your nephews guardian at litem which is his lawyer appointed by the state to make sure that the child's rights are protected. Also if their is a CASA worker assigned find that out and talk to this person also that is a court appointed special advocate. Also talk to a family lawyer about your rights and also ask to speak the workers supervisor about your rights as family to this child. Best wishes
Terrie
