Adopting a family members child that's in the State's care?

Question

Okay, my cousin has a little girl I think she is two and she was taken from her mother through DFS a little over a year ago and has been told that she will not get Lizzy back due to her not having a clean living environment, which we know there is more to the story than what has been given because we are going through some things with my step-daughter she is currently in states care because there was abuse going on in her biological mothers home. So we are familiar with DFS and the on-going things that they put people through. My husband and I are 22 and 20 we were just recently told I was not able to have children and having children is something we both would love. For us the thought of having a family member out in the world not knowing any of us is scary and I was curious as to what the steps would be to get her out of the states care and in our home. We do have a two year old so the whole parenting thing is familiar to us. But any information given would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

How awful they didn't seek family placement before foster care!

But for now get a lawyer and go to court.

Answer 2

You will need to contact DSS. They will not give you info on placement until you have completed your background check, your homestudy package, and (possibly) parenting courses. Once completed, you can request to take placement of this child....then, when the case comes for review, DSS will determine among all of the candidates...who best fits the needs of the child. good luck!

Answer 3

Depending on what state she lives in, many states have what's called "kinship foster care". Often the first choice of foster care is with extended family members.

Contact DCF as soon as possible. And find out who the childrens' court appointed attorney is.

Best wishes to you!

Good luck!

For more information:

http://www.urban.org/publications/310893...

http://www.urban.org/uploadedPDF/900611....

http://www.childwelfare.com/Foster%20Car...

http://www.financeproject.org/Publicatio...

http://www.cwla.org/programs/kinship/fac...

http://www.fkce.net/