Why Family vs. Foster

September 22, 2024

This being my first experience in foster care I need help to understand family vs foster family. Baby B has been with us for one year, since she was six weeks old. Parents show up weekly,(separately). Case has been extended til Feb.

My problem is: they are asking parents if there are relatives to get home studies done. In my opinion, if a relative has not stepped up within a year as a kinship placement, what type of relationship can that relative have that makes them more suitable than the foster family at this point? I don't believe unnecessary changes in placement is a healthy move for children. Any suggestions?

If they are just now asking them about relative options, it’s possible they didn’t before and didn’t do their due diligence in finding family placements. The family may not be aware. There may be distant relatives that are appropriate and can care for the child who were not made aware and that is the agency’s fault. If there is an appropriate relative placement that can care for and keep the child safe, the child should be placed with them. Reunification and then relative placement are always the main goals.