Broward County

Yes. It was awful. We adopted our nephew who had been in foster care for about 18 months total, two different ffamilies. The second ffamily decided, on their own, they were going to adopt him. CPS-a private company-did a terrrible job. The (now) bmother got no support or help to do her plan. Just-go do it-no contacts or direction as to where to do to do the classes, etc. she had to do. This agency did not keep the ffamily on track with the goal which was reunification and then placement with relatives (us). We ended up having to retain an attorney at great expense and now our nephew has been our son for several years, and is very happy. He was very happy to be able to leave the ffamily--he was so conflicted with the pressure they put on him, and their dysfunctional parenting style. So, good luck with whatever you plan to accomplish in Broward County. I have no doubt that there are ethical people involved in the foster care system there; I realize we were one case of thousands.

*I* am not actually dealing with them, as my family is done, LOL. My oldest (step)daughter has a brother who is being neglected and abused and DCFS is doing absolutely nothing. The situation is really bad. DCFS is involved in that they removed the child from Mom's care but left him in Dad's care. Mom and Dad are still together - how does that make sense??!! My daughter contacted the child's case manager and asked to leave her information so that if the child were actually removed, he could be placed with her - she is 22 with a child of her own, a house, job, etc.. The case manager was extremely rude (it was on speakerphone, so I heard it firsthand) and flat out told my daughter that there was nothing to worry about and her info was not necessary. Nothing to worry about ???? Two drug addicts who use in front of the child, one is a prostitute who is on her way back to prison for violating parole. A four year old child who is attempting to cook his own meals and has burns on him, bruises from being beat, was "missing" for over a week while Mom was on a crack binge and left him in a known drug hotel. I could go on and on, and yet they are telling her there is "nothing to worry about". I just don't get it. These are the very people who are supposed to protect children. Even if they would not consider my daughter as a placement for the child, why are they not acting? What will it take for them to realize the severity of the situation?? Any suggestions on how to get them to even respond to the situation? This child is in grave danger - there is much more to this than I can share here.

Any chance these people will let your daughter have her brother for a nice LOOOONG visit? Maybe eventually they will just sign papers and she can adopt or at least be permanent guardian. I think it's all about the money. Costs a lot to remove a child with court costs, attorneys for parents, paying foster care subsidies, and then the state is responsible for medical care, child care for the foster child. It might help to talk with an attorney who does family law. Our initial consult was free, then we paid when we decided to retain the attorney. Hope you get the little guy out of that terrible situation.