what to say in court???

Are you sure it's a compliance hearing? A hearing at 10-months into the case with kids as young as yours might be a permanency hearing (where they decide whether they are changing the goal from reunification to adoption by resource parent or some other permanency plan). I would use the words "safety" "stability" and "permanency" in what you say. Remember, you are a foster parent first - I think it's good to say "I am committed to these children. I support reunification with their mother if she can provide a safe, stable home for them and if reunification can take place immediately." Otherwise, they have been in care almost a year and they deserve permanency. If their mother isn't able to provide a safe and stable home within the next month or so, I think the goal should be changed to adoption by me and I am fully committed to adopting them." You can then tell the judge a bit about how well they are doing with you but don't start with that....until the goal is changed to adoption, how they are doing is secondary to whether mom can parent them or not. If she CAN provide them with a safe and stable home, how they are doing with you doesn't matter. If she can't, the goal should be changed (usually at the 11-month or 12-month mark) so that everyone can start working towards termination of rights and adoption by you. Keep your ears open for any mention of relatives - the judge will want to know if the state has vetted any and all potential relative placements. Relatives can come out of the woodwork at this point in the case. Good luck!

I asked and the cw told me it is till a compliance hearing. The bm only 2 weeks ago started a drug program at the 11th hour. the bm's father who wanted nothing to do with his daughter or her 3 children I hear is just now saying if her rights are terminated he will go for custody... But his daughter lives with him and they have their own issues and domestic violence between themselves. I just hope the judge sees through this charade of her just now beginning to comply when she had the past 9 months to do something. Also because it is family I know her life is still a trainwreck but no one else on the case sees any of it and I know these kids dont stand a chance if the go back...ty for the advice!!

Mayah69, forgive me for intruding. Particularly in a case where you want the children, but I would suggest the following.Make all your feelings known to whoever is mentoring your side of the case. The SW, the GAL will have an opportunity to bring out your feelings to the judge.The fact that the children are doing well under your care makes everyone happy for what you have done, but the emotional side of the hearing is not where it is.The court practices law and altho it does have to make some difficult decisions, it does not try to play God. It only follows federal and state guidelines which are heavily influenced for re-unification.The b-parents have to be given every opportunity to comply with court orders. The court looks at evidence that the b-mom has gotten her act together and is attempting to comply. What b-moms motives are no one knows.If it turns out that the kids are involved in re-unification, and b-mom loses them a 2nd time, the court will then have evidence that b-mom is not going to be able to handle the kids and the judge will rule. If there is no one in the family to take care of them, they may come up for adoption.You may be right in determining that at the 11th hour b-mom is attempting to meet the court criteria, and that her reasoning is not based entirely on a re-unification. But meeting the court ordered criter is all the court can go on. There is no way to establish her motives prior to her actions.If she fails to fully comply with the court ordered criteria, it may take additional time, but it is possible that you may still end up with the kids.It's hard to offer support without knowing all the details.I wish you the best.