Chris and I have the chance to be the Kinship care foster parents of my cousins 16 month old son. We most likely can't have any more children of our own and were planning to pursue adoption soon after Miriam's first birthday.

Anyway, all of my cousins children have been taken from her when they were about 1-2 years old. My aunt and uncle are raising the other 2 kids, but don't feel able to care for a 3rd (they are in their mid-50s). We would really love to have this little one.
We would have the little on for 18 months at which point he would become ours permanently...we might not be able to adopt him officially, but he would remain in our care until he was grown. (After 18 months in pa, parental rights are terminated)

My question is: have any of you done kinship care? What have your experiences been?

gotta go Miriam is crying.

Jeni

I haven't, but I wanted to say Congrats!!!

Haven't done it, but congrats! If her rights are terminated, why couldn't you adopt? They will *eventually* terminate her rights, but sometimes it takes a looooooooong time. There is a FEDERAL law that if a child has been in foster care for 12 out of 18months the state MUST file for TPR. Most social workers need a lot of prodding, though.

Kristi

that at first they would still retain the rights to visits, etc...and they would still have to sign to actually make the child available for adoption.

At least that's as I understand it. When I get a chance to talk with the caseworker, I'll ask all sorts of questions about this.

Anyone else have experience with this?

Thanks so much for your congratulations!

Jeni

jeni,

No experience with this program/agency, but I wanted to comment how great it is when family can step in and help take care of the children when another family member can not do it.

I hope the child's mother gets the help she needs, and also Congratulations to your family!

Michelle