Does anyone else think that 12 months is not enough time?

Question

In my state parents who have their children taken have 12months to do their case plan to get their kids back. This started after kids where going in and out of foster care forever. The idea is that the state takes custody and the kids go up for adoption giving them permanency. Nice idea in theory but there are some flaws. One kids in care tend to be older and "un-adoptable" by many standards. Also I was told 75% of the cases in our county the kids are taken because of drugs. So the parent has 12 months to get clean, find adequate housing and a job. That is unrealistic that is setting kids to be in foster care and age out. Yes there needs to be a time limit you can't take 7years to do it but 1 year is to short. Addiction is a horrible thing and takes time I think 2 to 3 years would be more reasonable

Answer 1

Maybe 16 to 18 months if someone child is more important then their drugs or alcoholic abuse then they will get it done. 2 to 3 years IMO is just far too long and is not fair to the child if they have to hang in limbo even more if their parent does not get back on track in that amount of time. In fact there would be some who if given this long amount of time would put it off in till nearly all the time was gone.  If someone honestly shows that they are trying but the time frame is not enough I think they should be able to get an extension.

Answer 2

The thing is 2-3 years may be too much time for the addict, it actually gives them more time to get back on. I have seen people get off cigarettes in about 11-14 months. I have seen someone get off of heroine in 14-16 months.

Answer 3

I agree with you.

Perhaps the time should be extended AS LONG AS the parents are proving to be on course to recovery.  I.E., have enrolled in a treatment program, are actively seeking employment, etc.  As long as they are actively doing what is necessary, then give them some extra time to prove they can get their act together for the sake of the kids.

Answer 4

You are so right. The system needs to be working more with the addicts to help them get clean.  HAving said that, I am currently working with a case in which the child was taken at birth bc he tested positive.  He has been in foster care for a year and the mom has made little progress. My concern is that he is so young that the stability he needs in early development can be totally disrupted if a year from now he is moved.  Reactive attachment disorders can occur./

Answer 5

in wisconsin it is 15 months. If you are actively working on your caseplan step by step you should have no trouble doing this, if its what you really want. They will gladly extend this time frame if they see some progress. They don't nessesarily mean all must be accomplished in that year or 15 months.

Answer 6

I think it should be a case-by-case decision. In smoe cases it might be too short, but in other cases it's too long. Way too long.

Answer 7

I think that it should be on a case by case, child by child basis period.  We need to look at these children as individuals and find out what their individual needs are.  If the parents are making an effort and it is in the best interest of the child to wait, then wait.  If the child would benefit from a more permanent placement and the parents are not making an effort to make the necessary changes to get them back, then find the right place for the child to be.  It should be about the child, as an individual.  They should not just be a part of a "system" that treats them as a number with deadlines and time limits placed on them.

Answer 8

I don't know what state you are in, but here the law loosely states one year, however, the case is constantly being watched and reevaluated. If let's say the parent goes into addiction treatment and the doctors/workers whoever tell the court that the parent is diligently working on getting and staying clean the case stays open past that one year deadline.  Now on the opposite side of that coin if after a year the parent has not made any attempt at entering or remaining in treatment one year in then they have basically forfeited their right as a parent and the state has to do what is best fo the child...and I think we can all agree that a permanent home is almost always better than bouncing around the system.

Answer 9

In most states if the judge sees you working the case plan you can request longer time ... unfortunatley most parents wait till it's the last minute and realize they will lose their kids if they don't get moving.

The state does not want your children, they want them to be with bio mom/dad ... they want them to be with family .. so it's up to you to do what your told to get them back ..

If you show the judge your working on getting your life back from the day one ... they will help you!!  

Addiction is horrible ... but what's worse is having your child go through h**l watching you addicted, not getting the love & attention they deserve and then going to a strangers house with out you .. if you are willing to be bring a child into the world, be willing to be responsible for them and yourself.

Answer 10

rehab is 28 DAYS... 1 year to clean up and prioritize is more than enough! A kid can't get comfortable with a new family and three years later have their bio parent stroll back into their life. If parents can't get their act together in 90days their rights should be severed. Yes addiction is hard but if they have 12months to get clean that means they could have completed rehab 12 times!!!!

Answer 11

I agree that some people will never get over their addiction. However, I also believe that having a child removed is a wake-up call for some parents - enough to shake them up and get their act together.  If they haven't done that in a year, they probably won't.

Answer 12

If an addict can stay clean for a least a year then I believ they have a right to have a chance at parenting again and if they mess up then they say good bye. It is real hard to over come addiction and it does take time. If you set your mind to it then you can achieve it. I was an addict then I got pregnant. I had my daughter and smoked weed after she was born for about 5 months. I regret those times and I came to realize that she is more important then drugs or anything else. Now I have been clean from all the drugs and alcohol for three and a half years now and its great. I have two kids now and they are the world. So to any parents going through this take it from me stay clean for your children need the love and compassion from YOU.