First, please understand that I support some family reunification even with foster children but am also realistic. Meaning that I realize there are a number of foster children that should not be part of it or for it to even be part of their plan. Again it should only be about what is best for the foster children and not the parents.

Yes, family reunification or kinship placements should be an option, but not the only option. In some cases it may not be in the best interest of the child. When family reunification is the right choice for the children then it can be a great, wonderful tool for all involved.

I have been told by others that problems with failed family reunification,... more

We have to stop looking at family reunification and kinship placements with starry eyes, and not evaluating placements before placing a foster child there. We are placing children right back in harm's way by preserving families at all cost. The cost is high. Foster children continue to be abused, and some will die when placed in kinship placements or family reunification.

These children are living in difficult, sometimes deadly situations on a daily basis. Thinking that all families can be one big happy family is a pie in the sky idea, and it is not pratical. We have to be realistic that family reunification will not be the answer for all families, or even a large part... more

This is for the children that do not have a voice. The ones that drugs were their beginning.

When you abused your body and mind, you also did it to me. While you created me, you were also destroying parts of me. As you carried me in your womb, you left me scarred and battered by your negative choices.

As you went on that high of “meth” time and time again, my tiny developing body was forced to go along. Each time you got “high” part of me was destroyed and not allowed to develop. The “meth” affected whatever was developing at the time of your “highs”; my brain, my organs, my nervous system.

As you received pleasure from your “high”, my little body was shaking,... more

Some foster children can be successful in therapeutic care rather than the basic foster care. Foster children who continually struggle with behavior problems, mental illnesses, mental retardation, and many countless failures and disruptions in basic foster children can end up in a therapeutic foster placement or treatment care.

A high school boy named Patrick was placed in a therapeutic foster home due to his behaviors instead of being placed in a juvenile facility. After finding the right placement for this boy he has improved. Patrick is turning into a teenager that is learning... more

I have been asked about how a family member goes about kinship placement and the laws, can kinship placement go over state lines, etc.

Kinship foster care placement is done differently in every state and in some, it differs with each county. Some states are starting to get laws and guidelines on kinship placements. My advice to anyone thinking of providing kinship placement for a relative is to think about how this might change the family dynamic.

If you are a family member that is in the process or their children are in foster care, do not wait on the biological parents to provide names of family members willing to care for the children. Sadly, some biological... more

I have received some questions concerning foster care from biological parents. Normally my blog is directed to foster parents. Biological parents that are trying to seek information on how to become better parents for their children in foster care need to be given a chance. I will try to answer questions that have been asked of me. Sugar coating things is not something I do. My approach is direct and honest.

A biological mother wants to be part of her child’s life in foster care and feels the foster parents are making it difficult for her. Foster parent’s busy daily life has become the life of her child and that it makes contact difficult for the biological mother. She... more

Trying to work with and make biological parents feels part of their children’s lives while in foster care can be rocky. You may only have a few biological parents that really seem to care or want to be involved (personally I have only had a few, myself). I do feel it is important to try and keep them involved even if it seems most do not want anything to do with the foster parents.

Pictures are a great way for the biological parents to remain connected to their children. You do not need to bring pictures to every visit, just every now and then. Relay school accomplishments of the child. For most foster children school has been a struggle for them... more

As the drug problems continue to grow in this country, so do the number of children coming into the foster care system. With “meth” use and manufacturing on the rise, the foster care system will continue to struggle with the demands of meeting the needs of the children affected by the drugs.

When a meth house or manufacturing house is raided by law enforcement officers, it has become a common thing finding 3, 4 or more children living there The truth is that drugs have become a part of this country so, we have to find a way to deal with the effects of the drugs.

Children... more

The entire foster care system including the caseworkers is struggling to deal with the problems that foster care is facing. I had my fair share of run-ins with caseworkers but I also realize they are also fighting the same system that I am just at a different level.

One caseworker has 60 children on her caseload to oversee. Caseworkers are stretched way too thin. Most of these children are not basic care. The monthly visits alone is too much for one person to deal with. The travel distance to see each foster child can be 1 to 2 hour drive for them. Just trying to keep up with the basic paperwork on these foster children must be overwhelming. Some spend two or more hours at home... more

More facts are coming to light to the missing toddler in Florida that was found in Wisconsin. One thing that was very interesting was that the “foster parent” was not a licensed foster parent. The toddler was placed with a friend of the mother so this would be kinship placement.

The friend providing care for the toddler says that the mother showed up and took the toddler without permission. She did not report the toddler missing or being taken for ten days to the caseworker. The toddler’s mother says that the friend... more