Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Boo has a Permanency hearing coming soon!
This week we had a meeting with Boo's CPS worker. We discussed a lot of things but the most important thing we talked about was what might happen in her upcoming Permanency hearing that's taking place next week.A Permanency hearing takes place after a child has been in the "system" for 12 months. At this hearing, the judge is supposed to decide whether to change the goal from reunification to severance or decide that there's a compelling reason to extend the case plan out for the parents and keep the goal as re-unification.
Yes, Boo has been in the system for nearly 12 months already. She's only 16 months old. She was removed from her mother, then from an extended family member, and then she was put into foster care and was pulled from two different homes (through no fault of her own) before she arrived with us.
I'm determined that this will be her last stop unless she's re-unified with her parents. This child deserves a permanent home and a family she can call her own. I pray that we are allowed to be that family.
So, the way CPS explained things, it looks as though we're in for a long ride no matter what the judge decides next week.
If he decides to extend the case plan, it'll be like Boo has to start all over. We're talking she'll be in the system for a minimum of 10-13 more months, if not longer, before the issue of severance comes up again. I can't get into the details of why, just take my word for it. That puts it at about next July before talks of adoption come up again. It means she'll have been in the system for 2 years and in our home for a year and 5 months!
If he decides to move towards severance, then we're still looking at many, many months before all the additional hearings, trials, appeals, and adoption court appointments will be finished so that we could finalize her adoption. In fact, when I sat down and calculated all the months these things would involve, I believe that the best case scenario would put us at about August or September of 2009 before we could finalize!
I was shocked, to say the least, when I realized how long all of this will take, no matter what happens next week. I want to cry in frustration and anger. My heart is heavy. What kind of system keeps a child in limbo that long?! It's just not right!
Both the CPS worker and Boo's lawyer are going into court next week and, once again, pleading with the judge to allow severance and adoption. They feel that is the best course of action for this little girl, given the circumstances which I can't explain.
I want to pray for the best possible outcome for Boo but I don't even know what that means at this point.
Perhaps you all might be willing to pray for God to give us strength to get through all of this and that Boo will be as unaffected as possible about the enormous decisions being made for her. I just want her to have a happy, normal childhood.
I could sure use come encouragement right about now!
By the way, the picture in this post is one of Boo at an outdoor concert, wearing my straw hat. She does love hats!
Labels: Boo, faith, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering
21 Comments:
Oh, my heart just goes out to all of you. That timeline is just unacceptable in what we call our "civilized society" that "values children". Ugh. The fact that they will start her timeline over again is indeed the most alarming. The "process" itself of wait periods, court dates, appeals, hearings, etc. does not surprise me, of course (though IMHO those are way too spread out as well). You have our prayers even more than usual. I'm praying for a miracle in her timeline. She's already had too many homes, too many transitions, and no permanent family. You are likely the most stable situation she's ever known, and b/c I sense her biological family circumstances are atrocious, I pray she stays with you.
My prayers are with you, "Your will be done, Father. And please make it as pain-free as possible!"
My heart is heavy with you, as I completely agree that the system is broken at the "benefit" for the children.
I am interceeding to God for your family, and we will continue until she is safe and sound at home!
Hoping and praying they have the good sense to make this happen faster for Boo and for you, all the while knowing that she is already blessed to be with you, and you with her.
I know how hard this is. The Boy was in our home almost 2 years before the adoption was final. But the kicker was, mom never showed for visits or court. She dropped off the face of the earth (no dad at all).....and it still took them that long!
But hang in there. It will be worth it in the end.
I'll be praying! God has a plan for you - I'll pray that He reveals it soon. Keep us updated and hang in there!
Aww sweetie that has to be so hard and I can't imagine what you are going through. I do want to encourage you that God loves Boo even more than you do..hard to believe I know!!...and He has a plan that is better than even you can dream up! He had a plan before she was even born and He will see it through...you just have to trust in His timing and abide in Him...One thing that helps me is to try to REST...relax in Gods promises, Exalt Him because He IS enough, Stand on his Word and Trust in His timing...it will all work out in the end:-) God bless you and I am praying {{{{}}}}}
I am praying for you and for Boo. My heart is heavy at the though that you all have to watch this little one you love wait in limbo for her life to be decided for her. Ugh.
Be encouraged that you are exactly where you are supposed to be today. And so is she. And that is what matters.
Im praying for your sweet little girl. and for you. I can only inagine what you are going through, I pray the judge makes the right decision.
Wow, I can't even imagine. :( I'm praying. What a messed up system. I hope the court decides in Boo's best interest.
I just want to say thank you for what you have done for this little girl, and how I will be praying for the whole situation. From reading your blog, I can feel how you really care for her which is sort of rarity for a lot of foster children! God Bless you all and I pray everything works out for the best!
Beverly
Praying for Boo and your family and that this precious little girl will have her "forever home" soon.
Oh, I know exactly how you feel. Our daughter was placed in foster care at 4, moved in with us as a foster-adopt placement at almost 6 and finalized a year later. The wait time is just ridiculous! Judges seem like they have to give parents chance after chance to show they are competent and they never do what they are supposed to. Hang in there...I will be praying for you guys! :)
It's sad that you have to go through all of this, but I can understand why they want to give the parents every chance they can.
Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope you can be calm and accepting of whatever the decision is.
Good luck.
You have a very long year ahead of you, but I know you have the strength as a family to overcome all obstacles placed in your way.
She is happy and healthy and lets hope the judge can see sense and let her stay with you for ever, but if not, then that she stayes with you until the end, like you said, not getting moved around.
You are a wonderful family with a very big heart and it is a priviledge to have you share your family with all of us via your blog. Please keep us posted.
It's so sad how long some kids have to be stuck in the system like that :( Will praying for you guys! Looking forward to meeting up with you this weekend too!
Dear sweet lady, It is strange that I checked your blog tonight, after not checking it for months.
I hear the anguish in your words. I know I cannot begin to understand all the legalities in the obviously inept foster care and adoption systems people like you, who just want to love little children must go through,
I understand that legal, bloodline parents' rights are protected by laws that more often than not, don't do what's best for the kids. Horrible examples of this were in the news in Colorado this year.
I do know that our Lord rewards our loving efforts to change their lives. I'm not saying this is easy. I'm just saying it is possible, for with God it is.
I can tell you what caring people like you who God placed in my life did. Their love and care was almost a miracle. They took me out of poverty and ignorance, if only for a while. But that taught me life could be better, and I headed down a road to find out.
I realize this is much harder for you than I can imagine. The more you love that little baby girl, hats and all, the more the idea of having to give her up crushes your heart. But you are in this for the long haul. Courts will rule what they must, but our Lord is more powerful than them.
The thing that made me know I was safe and loved by those who took me in, was everyday proof of it.
A look, an unexpected gift, an atta boy for good grades, a pretty dress, and lots of genuine hugs.
The hard thing about loving is the giving it, while not knowing how it will turn out. In the morning give her a happy hug and a smile, and know that her fate is in God's hands. I will be praying for this.
I so pray for severance and for adoption to move very, very, very swiftly. Heather @especiallyheather had this scripture up this morning. I claim in for my situation, claim it for yours...
The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still Ex 14:14...
God Bless You!
Boo is so cute in your hat. What a precious little one. We will be praying that what is God's will for Boo will be done. God never makes mistakes and He will do what is best for Boo. Will also be praying that God grants you peace, wisdom, and strenght in the days to come.
Blessings from Costa Rica
Wow, my heart is heavy just reading your post. I will definitely be praying things go well and Boo can become a permanent part of your family a lot faster than that. We seriously need to fix the system in this country!
I am praying. This situation is so tough - my friends are going through the same thing and have been for some time. I am praying for a past & positive resolution for Boo!
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