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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    5

    Default What Can Grandparents Do if a Grandchild is Placed in Foster Care

    My question involves a child custody case from the State of: California
    My husband and I just found out few weeks ago that we are grandparents. The child *4 months old* has been placed with a foster family due to both parents were on drugs. I am not sure of the whole back story, but child protective services are involved. Both my husband and I would like to first start to visit and foster the little baby, but if the parents are not able to get on their feet, then to adopt. Both our son and the mother are homeless and still on drugs(this is what I have heard, but not 100 percent sure). My husband has been in touch with social services, and at first we thought we were on right track showing interest, and informing the social worker we would like to start visitations and if possible foster so the little baby can still be with the family. First it seemed ok, but now we are told because we live in a different county it could be difficult to foster. We have also been told that visitations would be best if we brought the father of the baby with us. The issue is our son has moved to a different state to try and get help with his drugs (supposedly). Both my husband and I are in our early 40s. so we are still young. We also two toddlers at home, so we still are capable of raising another. My main question is what steps can or should we take to first start visitations, then if at all possible foster until parents are clean and stable for the little baby. Any help would help. Thank you for understanding and not judging me by my questions

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Child Protective Services and Not Sure How to Start

    What a sad mess.

    Okay. The first question is about paternity. Has dad actually been legally established as Dad? By this I'm asking "did he sign a paternity acknowledgement, which will allow his name to be put on the birth certificate", and/or "has the State established paternity via DNA"?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Child Protective Services and Not Sure How to Start

    yes, after my husband spoke to the social worker she stated that paternity was established.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Child Protective Services and Not Sure How to Start

    Quote Quoting jandj1975
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    yes, after my husband spoke to the social worker she stated that paternity was established.
    Okay, that's good.

    This is going to hinge on what the State actually wants to accomplish; are they offering either parent a reunification plan? What's their goal?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Child Protective Services and Not Sure How to Start

    After speaking to our son, he just wants to get off of drugs etc (he has no desire to raise his baby, but he also has a lot of warrants for his arrest so he also doesnt want to come back to California). The mother of the baby I am not hundred percent sure what her intenstions are, but per our son (which could be total hear say) she is still homeless living under a bridge and on drugs. I am not sure what the social workers intensions are, that is one question we didnt think about asking. The social worker did ask my husband if we are interested in fostering or adoptin and we said yes. But that was on the first call after that we feel like we are bothering the social worker.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Child Protective Services and Not Sure How to Start

    I don't think you're bothering the social worker at all - and if you want to step forward as a possible placement, I think it's important that you do let CPS know.

    There's never a guarantee that they'll place the child with you no matter where you live, but you won't be considered at all unless you suggest it yourselves.

    I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but thankful that you're stepping up when the parents don't seem capable of doing that. I also recommend you read this if you haven't already:

    http://stepupforkin.org/resources/faq/

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