Reunification: How Do I Get My Child Back From Foster Care
How do I get my child back from foster care?
This is a question many people ask themselves when their children are separated from them. Although child welfare agencies only seek the best care and protection for kids, this can be an overwhelmingly stressful event for a parent. After all, there's nothing like the pain of having your children taken away.
We understand that navigating the foster care system and dealing with the court is often confusing. That's why we've compiled this guide.
Follow these steps if you're working towards family reunification so you can be with your kids again.
How Do I Get My Child Back From Foster Care?
First, it's crucial to take a deep breath so you can focus on what you must do next. Remember that reunification is the primary goal in most foster cases. Returning to their family is usually in a child's best interest.
The entire process involves a lot of evaluating, planning, monitoring, and teamwork. As a foster parent, it's up to you to ensure that you deal with the issues that led to the removal of your child in the first place.
Thankfully, this isn't a task you must do alone. You'll have access to support and services to help you address issues and create stability for your child.
The first step in the foster care process is the permanency plan development. Case planning identifies a child's needs and devises a solution to help them find a safe and stable environment. It also outlines where the child should live when they leave foster care.
Participating with the court and the foster agency is the fastest and most efficient way to achieve reunification. It also helps you to hone your parenting skills and grow as a person.
Reunification: A Checklist
Before your kids can return home, the court and the child welfare agency must ensure they'll be safe. That's the purpose of creating a case plan.
Each plan will look different depending on a parent's situation. For instance, it may require seeking treatment for substance abuse or speaking with a therapist for mental health issues. Therefore, the first item on your reunification checklist is to address safety concerns.
The court will have a plan to help you do so. However, it's up to you to follow it.
Next, you must ensure that you can meet your child's needs. The agency will work with you to help you create a safer environment, receive medical care, get enough food to eat, find support, etc. You may need to enroll in specific programs or get assistance from the state.
The third step is to strengthen your parenting skills. Nobody is perfect, and we all have room to learn and grow. You may need to attend training or services to teach you appropriate childcare techniques.
If there are any more steps to follow, the child welfare caseworker and your support team can help you through them. During this time, it's crucial to build a support network.
Although you might be feeling many strong emotions, such as anger, guilt, frustration, etc., remember that seeking help is okay. Even working with the foster parents to schedule visitations or share information benefits you and your children.
The case plan is regularly reviewed, and your progress is frequently checked. If you meet all the goals outlined in the case plan, there is usually a transition period before the final reunification.
Which States Allow Reinstatement of Parental Rights?
The termination of parental rights is a scary prospect for any parent. It can mean losing your kids permanently.
If this occurs, a few states allow parental rights to be reinstated after termination. These states include North Carolina, New York, Illinois, Colorado, and California.
Requirements for reinstatement vary by state. Research your area's rules so you know whether you can pursue this course of action and what you must do.
A Parent's Rights When a Child Is in Foster Care
You have rights as a biological parent. It's in your best interest to understand and exercise these rights.
Your rights include the following:
- Know why your child was removed
- Being represented by a lawyer
- Understanding what to do to achieve reunification
- Know the dates and times of court hearings
- Have an interpreter if necessary
- Receive updates on your child's health, behavior, academic progress, and development.
It's up to you to appear in court, arrive at appointments on time, keep in touch with your social worker, ask if you don't understand something, and complete any paperwork assigned to you.
You also have the right to help develop a case plan. Work with your caseworker so they can learn as much as possible about your situation, including your strengths, your family's needs, support systems, and so on. The more open you are with them, the easier it becomes to get your kids back.
It's also up to you to follow the goals outlined in the case plan. Focus your energy on growing and making changes no matter what it takes.
Always speak up if you have questions or don't understand something about the plan. Work with your caseworker or address your questions and concerns to the court. You may also consider working with an attorney to walk you through the process.
When it's all over, you'll be a stronger person and a better parent thanks to the effort you put in and the support you've gained.
The Goal of Family Reunification
"How do I get my child back from foster care?" We hope this guide helps answer that question and assists parents in working with the court and the child welfare agency.
A parent's worst nightmare is having their children taken away. However, child welfare agencies will always strive to see to a child's best interest. In most cases, that means reunification after all safety issues have been addressed.
If you have any questions about the process or working with foster parents, or if you need to contact your local agency, we can help. Simply send us a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
