This is a reply to a comment left here concerning how I, or other foster parents would know that biological parents were not working their plans.

Biological parents not working their plans are not in most cases a top secret thing from the foster parents or other people involved with the foster children. Yes, there are confidentiality rules that people not involved with the case knowing the information. No, for the record I know this information because I hear it from the biological parents mouths as do most other foster parents.

Case assessments and/or case plans happen every 6 months (maybe different time table in other states). Everyone involved with foster children can be part of this meeting, yes including the foster parents. This meeting can be attended in person, by phone or someone can attend in your place in some cases. In this meeting, the biological parents’ plan will be discussed in great detail. At times each thing they need to do will be reviewed along with their progress or lack of it. This is how someone knows that the biological parents’ have worked their plan.

This is also the time for the biological parents to voice if there is a legitimate reason that they are unable to work their services. If they are having issues attending the visitation with their children because of their work schedule or transportation then the time or place of the visit will be reviewed.

I have seen (yes, with my own eyes and ears) a biological parent that was required to attend so many hours of counseling which Child Welfare set up for them but he had a long list of reasons why he could not attend at that time, place, etc. In this case if the person misses three appointments without any contact then he is dropped from the program and another person needing and wanting the services on placed into that slot. This biological parent was given a number of chances by Child Welfare to complete his counseling by having several different resources to take his case. Finally, it got to the point that there was not anyone else willing to provide him with services due to his being irresponsible when people were willing to work with him so he could get his child back.

So, no, I am not going by what a caseworker or someone else says but what I know. Every service plan for a biological parent that I have heard has been pretty straight forward and to the point.

More Reading:

What Happens When a Kinship Placement Doesn't Adopt?

Kinship Placement and Reality of Another Adoptive Placement

How Often Do Foster Children Come Back Into Care?