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I'm from Pa., and I am the president of our foster parent association. I am wondering if traditional foster parents are ever considered for 'kinship' status when they have had a child for a length of time ( i.e. six months or more ). We are looking into this possibility, because many times children are kept with a foster family and then way down the line, a 'kinship' provider is chosen, leaving the child to endure another transition, many times not in their best interest. I am not opposed to kinship placements, but feel that they have to be solid people and homes, with long term stability for the kids. I have heard things about other states having this, but don't know any more than that. Any info would be appreciated.
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In NJ we have this. Once our goal changed to TPR and Adoption by us, we were asked if we would consider this. We opted not to because the children would not be totally legally ours. The parent could decide to work a plan years down the road and petition to get the kids back. Too much of a risk for us.
Thanks for the feedback. My thought/idea is this: Many times a child comes into care, and is with a 'traditional' foster family for months or longer. At some point a 'family member' or kinship is named and approved, and the child is moved. Many times this child has only known the foster family as family, and the relative doesn't even have a relationship with that child. This results in alot of upheaval and trauma for the child. In lots of cases, the parents do not complete their CPP, and then the family either needs to adopt, or the child must be moved again. If a traditional foster family could be considered this after six months or so, then the child would not have to be moved, and if there was a need for adoption, the original foster family would be able to do so. This would cut out alot of unnecessary transition and stress for the kids. I am looking to see if there is a precedent for this in other states. I do understand how you wouldn't want to be labeled 'kinship' if you had the chance to move on with adoption. I wouldn't either. I am thinking of earlier in the process.
In CA, long term foster parents get some preference for placement if the child comes back into care. They call it a "Non-Relative Extended Family Member" placement. It can apply to anyone who knows the child well. It gives you preference over a stranger who doesn't know the child. In CA you can also apply for "de facto parent" status after having a kid in your home as a foster child for at least 6 months. If it's granted you become a party to the case so you can attend the hearings, see the court reports and hire a lawyer. It doesn't mean they won't move the child to a blood relative if they find someone who is appropriate, but it does give you standing to contest the move in court.
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In California, you can also file for "Perspective Adoptive Parent" status if the child has lived with you for 6 months and TPR has been filed. Once this status is granted, the child cannot be removed from your custody without a hearing before the Juvenile Court. At the hearing, the burden is on the County to prove why it would be in the child's best interest to be moved.