#Foster care reunification

[ex-foster]

“I would like to make amends with Simone personally – I’m just waiting for her and [her younger sister] Adria,” Biles added in her interview with the Mail. “I speak to Adria more than I speak to Simone. I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward.”

It is really suspect that her mother is using a public medium to reach out to Simone rather than contacting her privately. It seems to me that she's trying to save face. Also "don't judge"? As if foster youth aren't ruthlessly judged themselves. Foster youth also need to learn how to judge characters to determine who is safe and who is not. What exactly does "moving forward" mean in this context?

"Shanon Biles, who is now sober and working as a grocery store cashier, said she has Simone Biles’s number but is waiting for her to choose to make contact."

Putting the onus completely on the child to reunify, especially on a public forum puts such enormous pressure on Simone. I'm sure there are people out there that expect Simone to forgive her mother and reunify for a hallmark moment but this is so unrealistic and unfair. Reunification is not the heartwarming scene that many of the public wants to believe. An unpresent parent leaves emotional scars and feelings of abandonment and unworthiness. Attempts at reunification as an adult, especially for a child who has achieved incredible success, can be viewed as insincere. Reunification is difficult enough, but doing so with an audience is just humiliating. I really feel for Simone here.

[fosteringinsc]

Reunification Challenges and the Impact on Foster Parents: Navigating the Transition

Reunification Challenges and the Impact on Foster Parents: Navigating the Transition. Reunification can instill fear in foster parents, as they have welcomed a child into their home and wholeheartedly invested their love in them, only to witness the child being reunited with their biological family. Despite the primary objective of Foster Care being reunification, it doesn’t imply that foster…

[toxicroyjamie]

I think you've mentioned before how you don't really picture RoyJamie having kids post-canon, and I agree, those two as a pairing just give off a DINK vibe to me, but im curious to hear your thoughts on what UNPLANNED parenthood would do to either character. Like, what would happen if either of them had a one night stand baby and were (for whatever contrived fanfic reason you can think of) deemed the only parent fit to raise a kid? I mostly ask because I have a very specific au involving Roy that would relate to this concept rattling around my skull and hearing your meta always inspires me to write so I thought I'd take inspiration straight from the source!!! 🌟🌟🌟

Hi!! It makes me so happy that my meta inspires you, that's amazing to hear :') thanks for following!

Honestly, I've never much considered this for RJ because it's just not a trope that really piques my interest personally ☹️ I've read a few fics like this for other fandoms and I've always been bothered by the roles the mothers have played in them - offscreen villainous incubators basically. Which is not to say in any way that your fic would be like that or every fic with this trope is like that, just that I kind of got turned off of the whole idea, so I don't have much to add. Sorry!!

However I'm a huge fan of trans/genderqueer Jamie in any situation, and I've definitely toyed with the idea of Roy and Jamie dealing with an accidental pregnancy as like enemies with benefits (post-s2 maybe, like Jamie goes to Marbella with Roy after the breakup and they Conceive or whatever). "Enemies to lovers but they're having sex the whole time and one of them is pregnant with the other's baby and one just got out of a very serious relationship with the pregnant one's ex girlfriend" is so deliciously messy

[thestrangestthlng]

I deleted a post I had because BoBs found it and you know their brains can’t rub sticks together to make fire if their lives depend on it.

RIP Buck’s bisexuality.

This is 100% a statement about network TV’s erasure of queer representation or sanitation of it, ESPECIALLY when it concerns queer men. Queer men that don’t fit into the industry ‘mold’ of what queer men should look and act like.

Don’t come on my page with your bullshit gotcha about Hen and Karen. Yes, we know they’ve been there the whole time. WERE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THAT. You chuckle fucks only care about them when it’s convenient because your argument is always followed up by “you only want to see white men kiss”. Keep your fetishizer ass off my blog. Especially when you want to comment “they’re obviously setting up Buddie”. No, they’re not.

Obviously he is always going to be bisexual. Bisexuality is valid regardless of who you do—or don’t—date. It’s valid if you never date at all.

HOWEVER. They couldnt even get him to say the word on screen. They’ve already sanitized it. Maddie made that joke about Abby turning men gay and the opportunity was RIGHT THERE for him to say “I’m not gay, I’m bisexual” or “she didn’t turn me gay, I’ve always been bisexual” or, just “I’m bisexual”. But no, they had him make a comment about kissing boys.

And you know another thing? 9-1-1 is lazy as hell writing their stories too. I rage quit in season one for a while with the cheating storyline. They half ass Hen’s storylines too. They’re probably even LAZIER with their writing with them. They rushed through Mara, like they didn’t already have the trauma of losing a child they were about to adopt just for three seconds later they almost lose Denny?(although, I will say, it was important for them to highlight that the goal for foster care is always reunification.)

People are allowed to be upset with the fumbles. There’s been some absolute heartbreaking comments from the GA about this. We can love the representation of Black queer women and still be upset for the fumble in such a groundbreaking representation they had. Two things can be true at the same time.

[enougheddie]

Honestly, what I really want out of season 8 is for the Han’s to find a passion for fostering.

I just can’t stop thinking about little Howie, abandoned by his father, translating for his dying mother. Who probably would have forgiven his father if he had just fought for their family, but he didn’t. How he probably would have done anything to have his family back once his mother died. Who was traumatized by his father’s abandonment & mother’s illness and ultimate death, but who was taken in and cared for by two loving parents and a brother who loved him like family should.

And Maddie, who despite being neglected herself, did everything she could to provide for Buck what their parents didn’t. Maddie who knows better than most how important it is to have a safe place to land, the one who was married for over a decade but didn’t bring children into that marriage, the woman who found out she was pregnant with Chimney’s baby and didn’t think twice because she did want kids, but only if she could bring them into a safe and loving home.

Maddie & Chimney who saw their friends in need, a girl ripped away from the loving family she was about to have and applied for emergency placement, who didn’t even tell the Wilsons in case it didn’t work out. Who’s parenting journey was so fraught in the beginning, but are the most wonderful parents anyway.

Anyway, I just think they’d be wonderful foster parents, and I think while it would break their hearts a little to see their fosters leave, I think they’d be happier than most to see the reunifications. I think the way Jee Yun is being raised (as a part of the larger 118 family) and her age would make her a wonderful foster sister. Fostering Mara, who they will continue seeing and loving once she’s reunited with her own family would be a wonderful transition into becoming a foster family for all three of them as well.

Anyway, I have a lot of feelings about the Han family.

[readingpast12]

I saw something on a daredevil forum saying that America doesn’t have orphanages any more. I think a lot of Americans are under the impression that traditional foster care is available for every kid. Truth is, we don’t have that many foster homes and most only take very young kids.

I work as a child advocate for kids in dependency (and actual orphans are a very, very small percent of my case load. Like out of 150 or so, kids I think 3 have no parents in the picture). Most kids who can’t be with their parents are with relative or fictive kin. Some of them are in traditional foster homes, especially the younger ones. If family or family adjacent placement isn’t available for my kids over 11, they’re probably in a group home. One of the best group homes around here about 25 beds. It doesn’t call itself an orphanage. Most of the kids I group homes have parents working reunification case plans. But, like, there are definitely a lot of organizations that provide care for children who don’t have a safe home with stable parents available. They are functional orphanages under a different name.

The involvement of the church in group homes isn’t completely out of place either. The Catholic Church provides a lot of support to foster families in my state. The Sisters of Mercy in NYC have a full on group home. All this to say, Matt being in a group home primarily staffed by nuns doesn’t break my suspension of disbelief as a person working in this field.

It is surprising that Matt never got adopted. I’ve seen a lot of difficult to place kids find adoptive placements (I don’t have a lot of orphans, but I do have a lot of kids with parents who have lost their parental rights). Matt was definitely adoptable. But, then again, he wasn’t actually an orphan and the courts might have never actually terminated Maggie’s parental rights. There’s probably a lot to unpack there for a fic writer who enjoys that type of angst.

[anamericangirl]

A genuine question, what's the difference between Foster Care and Adoption?

I often hear pro-choicers talk about Foster Care but I'm don't know what it exactly is..

Adoption is when you become the legal guardian of a child that is not biologically yours and raise them as your own.

Foster care is intended to be a temporary living situation for kids when their parents or legal guardians cannot properly care for them. The goal of foster care is reunification with the biological parents and most kids in foster care aren’t even up for adoption. But when they are they typically get adopted by their foster families.

Pro-choicers bring it up because it’s just another attempt at deflecting from the actual point and they think if they remind us that some children end up in foster care we will be ok killing babies who are not in foster care.

Like all their arguments, it’s very bad.

[redroomreflections]

Hair Love

Wanda Maximoff x Natasha Romanoff x teen!reader

Summary: Wanda learns how to do Bunny’s hair

The full completed story is on my A03

Wanda had always wondered what it would be like to be a parent. Since she was a child she always knew she wanted to be like her mother. Caring, kind, loving. She imagined a child that would look similar to her features. She thought of the best life, the best care, everything different than her childhood. Somewhere along the way she lost that vision. She gave up on what could have been and redirected. Then she met Natasha and the fantasy reared its head again. Wanda imagined her child. She knew the imaginary being like the back of her hand. Whatever image she created in her head was no comparison to the real thing.

Bunny is fifteen. She’s quiet. Sullen. Secretive. Wanda wouldn’t describe those as bad but she doesn’t know what to do. The child she imagined in her mind was nothing but an image. The one right in front of her is the real deal. Nothing she imagined but everything she needed and wanted in her life.

Wanda knows she shouldn’t get too carried away. It’s only been a few weeks. Bunny’s only here temporarily. Until her biological mother can carry through with her case plan. Wanda doesn’t want to think about it. Her duty as a foster parent is to fight for reunification. That’s what the foster system is and sometimes what it should be. She questions every day if she wants that.

Wanda doesn’t know how long Bunny has been sitting on the front porch. She happened across her after going to bring laundry up to the bedrooms. The front door was open slightly, allowing the screen door a perfect visual of her turned back, as she sat all alone. Wanda approached the door, wondering if she should talk, and fighting with herself on what to say. In Wanda’s fantasy, she knew everything. Here in the present day, she knows nothing. She doesn’t know how to make things better. She doesn’t know what makes the young girl tick. She only knows what she’s been given and then some.

Bunny is a nuanced human who lived an entire life before her. The young girl may see her as nothing more than a roadblock to her freedom. Wanda can’t tell as much. The few conversations they’d had gave Wanda more than she needed to know and even then she didn’t know everything. She wishes she could. Maybe then she could ease some of the hurt that’s always present in those big, brown eyes. There’s a story behind them. One she would like to know if Bunny would let her in.

Wanda stands at the door, laundry basket balanced on her hip, another hand hesitantly reaching for the door. Bunny isn’t aware of her presence. If she is she doesn’t make it known. Wanda notices a pattern in her behavior. The way the young girl tenses whenever one of them moves around her. The way she sits up straighter after she’s done her chores. It’s as if she’s afraid one of them will tell her she’s done wrong. Bunny never misses her duties. She cleans, tidies, and makes it as if she’s not there. She hides in her room in the daytime and only comes out at night. Her homework is already done before they check it.

Wanda always noticed the girl would sit with her head down and her head in her hands whenever they did speak to her. Natasha is the one to coax her out with cookies and milk. It’s one of the things Wanda loves about her wife. The ability to get anyone to warm up to her. Wanda on the other hand struggles a bit more. She’s not a very open person herself. She doesn’t have years of communications training to fake it either. Sure, she can talk. She can stand up for herself when needed. Making friends? That’s never been easy for her.

She knows she has to put in the effort. She’s the foster parent. She’s supposed to be the one to help. It was just a couple of weeks ago Bunny came into their home. She supposes she could have some leeway.

There’s a split second that Bunny turns her head. Not enough to be looking at her. Wanda would have missed it if she wasn’t already looking. She places the basket next to the front door and takes a deep breath. It’s now or never. She could do this. She could be supportive. She would use her training. She could be there for her.

“Hi,” Wanda says a bit too enthusiastically as she steps out onto the porch. Bunny looks up at her.

“Hi,” She mutters back. “I’m only out here for a little. My homework’s already done.” She adds as if to keep herself out of trouble. Wanda takes note of it.

“No, you’re fine,” Wanda assures her. “Do you mind if I sit?”

“It’s your house,” Bunny wants to say but she doesn’t. Her lips remain clamped shut. She nods. Instead of sitting on the porch swing or one of the chairs, Wanda comes and sits right next to her. Bunny freezes. She breathes through her nose. She closes her legs tight, wrapping her arms around her knees, before letting them hang loosely.

“What are you doing out here?” Wanda asks after a moment of silence.

“Looking at the houses,” Bunny shrugs. “They’re all so big. It’s crazy that people live here.” Her gaze sweeps over the row of houses once again.

“I agree.” Wanda nods. “Where I’m from we didn't see things like this.”

“Me either,” Bunny agrees.

“Which one is your favorite?” Wanda asks.

Bunny seriously considers the question. Her nose wrinkles, her brows furrowing, and her lips pursed as she thinks. She raises her finger to point behind her.

“I think yours is the best,” She begins. “I don’t know. It looks lived in. You have flowers in the garden and I don’t know. It feels homey. Lived in.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Wanda says. Bunny nods again. There’s another silence. “Great job, Wanda. You’re doing wonderful.” The redhead thinks to herself.

“Natasha should be home soon,” She finds herself saying. Bunny looks at her curiously. “She’s bringing pizza. I hope that’s fine. We eat takeout a lot.”

“I’ve noticed,” Bunny comments. She seems to realize her comment may come across as rude so she changes her tune. “There’s nothing wrong with it. I like pizza.”

“Yeah?” Wanda tilts her head. “What else do you like? Natasha’s told me somethings but I’d like to know for myself.”

“Why?” Bunny frowns.

“I’m interested in you,” Wanda shrugs. She leans back against her hands, tilting her head up toward the sky before she looks over to curious brown ones.

“I like drawing,” Bunny says quietly. “I played piano when I was younger. I stopped.”

“Wow? Really,” Wanda is truly interested in what she has to say.

“Yeah, it was just a lot going on,” Bunny breathes. “I want to learn guitar. It would be nice.”

“Is that what you want to do for college? Music?”

“I don’t think I’m going to college,” Bunny shakes her head. “I don’t know how I would pay for it or if I’d get in anywhere.” She picks at the bracelet on her wrist. The one she got from her friend whom they have yet to meet. “I figured once I get a job though. Maybe I could afford some things.”

“I think you’re really intelligent and that if college is what you want,” Wanda encourages.

“For people like me it doesn’t happen,” Bunny drops her hands. “My sisters went. They’re super smart though. Faith especially.”

“You’re just as smart,” Wanda says firmly. Bunny doesn't argue this time.

“Look,” Bunny shakes her head. She doesn’t speak for a while. “I don’t want you to sell me a dream. I know it’s kind of your job being my foster parent but none of that will matter when I get home. The most I have to worry about there is not getting pregnant and not ending up in jail or something. Finishing high school is all I want.” Bunny doesn’t know if she believes the last part. She wants more. She wants so much more than life has afforded her.

“You must want more for yourself?” Wanda says and apparently, this is the wrong thing to say.

“It is,” Bunny says with such finality Wanda doesn’t attempt to continue the conversation. “I just have a few more years and then I can get a job and move into my apartment. Somewhere I’m safe.” Bunny’s voice fades at the last part. “Maybe somewhere like here.” She glances at Wanda.

Wanda can see the desperate attempt at a subject change. She understands how it must feel to be in Bunny’s shoes. Ripped from the only life and the family you know. Wanda studies the side of her face for a moment. She notices the tiny freckles, just a few, above her cheekbones. The holes in her ears were where the jewelry may have been once upon a time. The wild, tangled mess of curls, usually flowing down the girl's back is tied back into somewhat of a ponytail.

“Your hair,” Wanda says. Bunny’s eyes flashed to hers.

“Is it bad?” Bunny says with a bit more vulnerability than Wanda’s used to seeing. She reaches her hands up to pat it. “I didn’t fix it today because I wasn’t going anywhere. I’m also out of hair products so…” Her voice trails off. Suddenly she needs Wanda’s approval.

“No, no, it’s not bad,” Wanda isn’t lying. Bunny’s hair doesn’t look terrible. Just a bit unkempt. “I was messaging a friend. Monica Rambeau.” Wanda drops the name as if Bunny will know her. She doesn’t. “She told me of some things we could get. The store is still open.”

“You already bought me clothes,” Bunny says. Her brand new black and white All-Star Chuck Taylors on her feet are an indication of that.

“I want to,” Wanda presses. Bunny deflates. She wouldn’t protest.

************************

The beauty supply store is a brand-new venture for Wanda. There are so many products, so many brands, and so little time to explore all of them. She has an old-fashioned pen and pad that she carries around. She figured before coming here she would allow Bunny to take the lead but the teen seems just as lost as her.

“My mom stopped doing my hair when I got to middle school,” Bunny explains. She doesn’t seem the least bit phased by it. For her it's normal. “She never really showed me how to do it. It was kind of a thing she didn’t have the patience to teach. I usually just keep it in a ponytail.” Bunny trails her fingers along the bottles of shampoo.

“Well, we could try a few things, and if they don’t work try again?” Wanda suggests and Bunny nods. She’s fine with that. “She also suggested you go to a salon every once in a while. Would you be open to that?”

“Yeah,” Bunny nods. She hasn’t been to a salon in years.

“Okay, we’re going to try the Mielle Organics,” Wanda grabs a few bottles to place in the small red basket she’s been carrying.

“I need a big comb too,” Bunny notes grabbing one from the shelf. “And a bonnet.” She points to one on a higher shelf that Wanda reaches for.

“Is there anything else you need?” Wanda double-checks her list.

Bunny shrugs. She doesn’t know. These seemed like good products to begin with.

“Great,” Wanda could work with this. “Do we need any of these?” She touches a small pack of human hair. It’s a shade too bright and not even remotely the same texture as Bunny’s hair.

“That’s a weave,” Bunny grins in amusement. “I don’t need it right now. Sometimes if I get braids or a wig or something.”

“How long does something like that take?”

“A couple of hours,” Bunny says casually. “Could be two or five.”

“Five hours?” Wanda’s eyes widen. “Does it hurt?

“Depends on who does it,” Bunny laughs at Wanda’s innocent nature. Seems she’s teaching her something. “My sister Faith used to braid my hair. She was pretty cool.”

“Maybe I could learn? I already know how to braid a little,” Wanda looks at Bunny’s head as if she’s trying to asses just how much she could do.

“Yeah, maybe,” Bunny grins. She thinks it would be funny if she tried. They get to the register where everything is handed to the cashier. The woman does a double-take but says nothing.

“The total is $45.94,” She reads from the register. “Will you or Mom be paying?” Her question isn’t supposed to throw Bunny off, but it does. For a second, she falters, but Wanda steps right in. She passes the clerk her credit card to swipe before she tucks it back into her wallet.

The shopping trip is over.

*******************************

When they get home, Wanda passes the bags to Bunny.

“I was thinking I could help you tonight,” Wandda stops Bunny in her tracks. “Natasha won’t be home for another few hours. We could probably have it washed by then. If you want.”

“You’re going to get into the shower with me?” Bunny’s perplexed expression makes Wanda crack a smile. She’s not sure how that would work.

“No, silly, the kitchen sink,” Wanda gestures.

“Oh, yeah,” Bunny kicks herself mentally for not realizing.”If you want.” She tries to appear calm about the situation. Wanda notices it’s one of her tells when she’s excited. Maybe in an attempt not to scare her off.

“Let’s go,” Wanda leads her to the kitchen. She begins to set up with a pillow for her neck. Bunny stands, watching her with a guarded expression, before she sits in the chair Wanda appoints to her. She’s tense for the first few seconds. She’s not used to having someone so near. Wanda’s warmth is welcoming and inviting. So she closes her eyes and relaxes. She hopes she can trust her. Wanda begins washing Bunny’s hair with the advice given to her. She rinses first, shampoos, detangles from the tip to the root and then repeats. There are times when she visibly blanches at the tangles in Bunny’s hair but she quickly covers up her expression. “My mama used to do this for me back in Sokovia. For me and Pietro.”

“Pietro?” Bunny cracks open an eye. “Is that the man in the pictures?”She refers to the pictures all over the wall. “The Avenger too?”

“My brother,” Wanda hums. “He lives at the tower. He comes to visit sometimes.”

“He hasn’t since I’ve been here,” Bunny observes.

“That’s true,” Wanda confirms.

“I’m not scared or anything,” Bunny shakes her head. “I don’t want to keep you from your family.”

“You’re not keeping us from anything,” Wanda takes the bottle of conditioner and applies a small amount to her hand. “We decided that when you’re ready, you could meet the team.”

Bunny bites her lip. “Would they like me? Are they nice?”

“Oh, they would love you,” Wanda smiles gently. “Pietro especially.”

“Cool,” Bunny doesn’t ask any further questions. “If I get to stay here long enough maybe I can meet them.”

“I would love that,” Wanda says. She finishes Bunny’s hair in no time, already noticing the visible shine, as she helps her braid it in two dutch braids. The scope of Wanda’s abilities. Bunny sits up finally, running her fingers across her fresh braids.

“Maybe we can do my hair like this more?” Bunny seems hopeful. “I mean if you want. It could be our thing. With Natasha, we have Russian and baking. With you, it could be this and gardening and movies maybe?”

“I think we can make it our thing,” Wanda says. “Just like with me and my mom.”

Bunny falters a little. “Yeah,” she nods.

Being here wasn’t so bad.

That night, Bunny leaves another one of her letters on the kitchen counter. It’s her way of saying thanks and expressing how she felt in the moment. She loves it here.

[faithhopeloveandtherapy]

i'm curious about your motivation for fostering, especially when you have non-adult children of your own still! Does it interfere with family life? And what is the end goal for the foster kids - to go back to their original family, or be permanently adopted?

Separately -- your bio says 30-something, but you can't be in your 30s with uni aged children right? Lol

I don’t have any non-adult children anymore!! lol much as they don’t always seem to grasp that. When they were younger we only fostered babies, and only one at a time. That mostly worked well with family life for us. Of course there were moments it didn’t but like with any job, nothing is perfect all the time.

We are (UK based) task foster carers, which means the children stay with us while their case goes through the family court. The outcome may be reunification, adoption or permanent foster care, but whichever it is, they will eventually move from us into that outcome. (That move may take a year or two to happen as social care try to find the right placement or family)

Haha no I’m sadly not 30-something any more. Now I’m 40-something. I will have to figure out how to change my bio.

[ex-foster]

[fosteringinsc]

Common Misconceptions About Foster Care: Debunking the Myths

Common Misconceptions About Foster Care: Debunking the Myths. Foster care is a vital system that provides temporary homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families due to various reasons. Despite being a crucial system, foster care is frequently marred by misconceptions that contribute to misunderstandings and stigma. In this blog post, we’ll debunk some of the most…

[fostercare-expat]

About 2 months ago the social worker asked me to start sending all pictures and major communication to him to pass on to Mom instead of me sending directly to her. I checked in yesterday if he’s forwarding on the photos as Younger Brother thinks she hasn’t seen them. Social worker replied that he always asks her if she’d like them but most often the time she says no. It’s a sad reminder of how broken Mom is. As the Social Worker explained before, seeing Younger Brother having fun or eating a yummy dinner, etc is all a reminder that she isn’t the one giving him those things and it makes her feel shame and guilt. She hasn’t initiated a call in weeks. She also only took him for half a day 2 weeks ago and tried to cancel the visit entirely 1 week ago but I got the Social Worker to push back and she took him for half a day again at least.

The weekend after next, she is supposed to take him for his first overnight and hopefully this continues every Saturday night and all day Sunday. I’m very excited for a bit of freedom on an ongoing basis. I really hope we can keep moving forward towards full reunification by March. But I’ve got to keep in mind that might not happen. Mom’s Boyfriend is bound to lose his temper at some point. Mom might get overwhelmed and start flat out refusing visits. All of that is in the Social Workers hands to manage though. It’s not my responsibility to make Mom be a better parent. My self imposed Fostet Care Rehab where I forced myself to let go of any attempts to make Mom be a better parent has been so much better for my mental health. Also helps that CPS had finally gotten counselling in place, assigned me a better social worker and wrapped up some of the long outstanding stuff. I’m so much less frustrated than I was 2.5 months ago. Certainly still have my frustrations but don’t feel like I’m literally losing it. Much better able to focus on work and my sales numbers are reflecting that too. (Oh, former husband calmed down and that helps too.)

Hurray for setting boundaries and seeing the positive impact. I’m taking some time this weekend to have dinner with a good friend and then celebrate my boyfriend’s birthday and go to his sister’s wedding. My mom is helping out. It’s nice not to have to wait to see the light at the end of the fostering tunnel but shining right now. I still need to find time to exercise again because that’s something I have given up on completely and need to get back in my life because I need to keep this body alive for a long time to raise all these kids. But we will get there. I’m happy with things for now.

[phantomwritezstuff077]

"You are what was missing, kid."

This is a fun little AU for "The Runt" that me and @slutforsnow talked about last night.

This one-shot includes an OC that does not belong to me, but rather belongs to the person I mentioned just now ^^^^

(I can't remember where I got the gif from, it's been downloaded on my laptop for a while but from what I can remember it was google?)

This one-shot is also heavily based off of a scene in Instant Family

Laurie was a kid from the foster care system that Violet and Billy have been fostering for almost a year. In recent months, Laurie has been re-connecting with her biological mother ever since she got out of rehab and has been trying to persue reunification.

And the court determined that it was safe for Laurie to go back home and live with her mom again. Even though Billy and Vi were both crushed for many reasons, one of them being that they were not able to read their newer court statement that they had written about Laurie. But, they also couldn't help but feel happy for the young girl, she had been through so much and she truy did deserve this.

The day Laurie was to go home came, and the girl found herself waiting by the front door eagerly when Violet and Billy approached her with somber looks on their faces.

"Hey," Vi said, sitting on the arm of the couch as Laurie turned to look at her.

"Hi," Laurie said back, also smiling a little bit. Laurie was also heartbroken to be leaving the couple that had been caring for her for almost exactly a year. But at the same time, she was overjoyed to be reunited with her mama.

"We wanted to give you the new court statement that we couldn't read, just so that you have it," Billy began as he handed Laurie a folded piece of paper. The little red-headed girl took the note, looking at the folded paper.

"Yeah...," Laurie's voice trailed off when she heard the sound of a car pulling up and she looked at the door, noticing a car stopping in front of the house she had called home for a long time. "Mom's here."

Laurie grabbed her duffel bag and slung it over her shoulder before she opened the front door and walked outside with Vi and Billy trailing off behind her. Two women climbed out of the car, Laurie knew them as Elizabeth and Michelle - the two people who were in charge of finding her placements and such.

But there was no sign of Laurie's mother.

"Are you guys just picking me up?," Laurie asked as she approached the two women, who both looked very upset and empathtic. "Where's mom?" Laurie had a sinking feeling in her stomach as her movements slowed.

Billy and Vi immediately knew what had happened by the looks on the women's faces. This couldn't be good, at all

"She was supposed to meet us but she didn't show up," Michelle said carefully. "We got worried so we went to check on her and she said to tell you that she was very ashamed and that she was sorry. She said she can't do it."

"But that doesn't make any sense - she filled out all of the paperwork," Laurie denied, her voice shaking a little bit as she glanced between the women. "She said that she could do it why would she..."

"Lauren, she said that you were the one who filled out the paperwork," Elizabeth explained.

"Okay, maybe I was there when it was being helped but why does that matter?," Laurie argued .

"She said that it felt like she was being forced to do something she wasn't up for," Elizabeth told her.

"No." Tears blurred the 13-year-old's vision as her voice cracked. "That isn't right - she's ready - I know she is - just... just let me talk to her and.. and I can go home..." Tears dripped down the child's cheeks as a full on breakdown threatened to take place.

"I'm sorry, Lauren. But while we were talking to her, her pupils were wider than saucers. She's using the meth again, honey," Michelle told her empatheticaly. "She's not coming for you, baby."

Billy and Vi exchanged looks, both of them felt absolutely horrible for the poor girl in front of them.

Laurie felt like her entire heart shattered into a million pieces as she realized her mother had chosen drugs over her once again. She looked back at Billy and Vi with a small sob before she took off like a rabbit down the street, quietly sobbing as she ran. She could hear Billy and Vi running after her, calling out for her but she didn't look back. She just kept on running until she came to the park, climbing the large weeping willow tree.

"Laurie," Billy called, staring up into the tree and at the crying teen who sat on a tall branch.

"Please just go away, you're not my real parents," Laurie hiccuped, sobs wracking her body as she hid her face.

"You're right, we're not your real mother and father. But we are here," Vi said, hoping to talk the teenager down from the tree. "And we love you."

"Wha...?," Laurie whispered, somewhat scoffing as she wiped her tear stained face. "No you don't. You don't even know a single thing about me. I'm just another mouth to feed."

"Laurie, honey...," Vi said, "We do know you. We know how scared you are of pigeons, but weirdly enough still throw bread crumbs for them and call us to rescue you when they surround you. We know how you sometimes struggle with reading. And we know that you use your drawings as a form of self expression and how it feels for you to be in the system. We know how you keep track of the weird things your friends say via the notes app on your phone."

"And we know that the most important thing in the world to youis family and reducing the poaching of Sumatran tigers," Billy jumped in. Laurie didn't move from her spot in the tree, their words only making the tears flow harder as she realized that this couple below her has done more for her in a year than her mother did for her whole life. "And Vi and me know that there is a lot that we still need to get to know about you, kid, but if you think we can't handle you, or that we won't be able to handle the scary stuff. We can. We can handle them and we love you, Laurie."

"Stop saying that, please just stop saying that, please," Laurie sobbed, huggging her knees as she continued to cry. "Please just leave me alone, guys, please just go."

Vi and Billy exchanged looks, realizing that what Laurie needed right now was space. They walked away and sat at a bench, waiting for the kid to calm down.

Laurie did eventually come down, slowly approachig them. Dried tears staining her cheeks as the couple stood up.

"I did some thinking," Laurie began, her voice still shaky from the crying. "And I think that what's best is that I ask Michelle and Elizabeth for another placement, because I know the little kids were more of what you were looking for when you got into this and -"

"No," Billy cut in firmly.

"Billy, I know that you feel real fucking sorry for me right now, but -," Laurie began, only to be cut off again.

"It has nothing to do with what just happend, Laurie," Vi told her, "Where's the court statement Billy gave to you?"

Laurie hesitated for a moment before she pulled the paper from her pocket, unfolding it as Vi pointed to a specific passage on the statment. "Read that."

Laurie inhaled shakily, feeling another onslaught of tears coming up as she began to read. "Laurie asked us why we did this, why did we choose to take her in? Sadly, at the time of that question. Neither of us knew the answer to that. But we do know it now. We did it because there was a missing piece in our lives and we couldn't figure out what it was." Laurie sharply inhaled as she read the next words, tears dripping down her cheeks. "It turns out, that the missing piece we were looking for was Laurie..."

By now, even Billy and Vi were getting a little bit emotional as they watched their little girl in front of them.

"Do you see now, Laurie?," Vi whispered, "You were our missing piece, kid."

Laurie sobbed, lowering the court statement as she wiped her face before hugging her foster parents, crying as she felt them return the hug. The three of them just stood there quietly, hugging each other.

Laurie had finally found the family that she deserved.

A/N:

I really hope you guys like this

Again, Vi doesn't belong to me, she belongs to my friend.

[fluent-in-lesbianism]

hi! long time follower, first time asker. this is a fandom question related to CPS. show is finding carter, a 2014 MTV show. MC is a teen girl who finds out that she was kidnapped when she was 3 and is reunited with her family. now the show definitely fumbled on how CPS should handle such a situation. i've been trying to research about it but have been having some difficulty. so i was wondering if you know of any resources or just professional knowledge about such situations. thank you so much!

I can only speak about Alabama CPS policy since that's where I work. CPS policy varies from state to state (even county to county within the same state). So I can only speak about my experiences in my state. Also, I've never actually seen Finding Carter. I'm only basing this off your short summary of the show.

I actually read this ask over the weekend and first thought I'd never actually worked a case like Finding Carter before, so I asked my supervisor (who has been in CPS for 22 years as both a worker and a supervisor) about her experiences. She'd never worked a case like that in her time as a worker, but she reminded me of a similar case I worked a few years ago that I'd completely forgotten about.

I'd gotten a report on a couple for non-kidnapping issues (that I don't remember anymore), but both I and my supervisor became suspicious during my first contact because the parents couldn't produce any adoption paperwork on a child they'd allegedly adopted from another country.

I couldn't do anything that night bc I can't remove kids off "vibes", but I made note of what they told me of their adoption process and their lack of paperwork in my notes for the primary worker. Two days later, I learned the couple was arrested and charged with kidnapping. They'd actually gone to another country, paid off hospital workers to give them a newborn baby, then flown back to the US with the baby to raise as their own.

In these situations, kids would not immediately go back to their biological parents. The kids would be placed in foster care until a judge determines that the bio parents are actually the bio parents. CPS can't change legal custody to non-relatives, and we wouldn't be able to immediately prove the child's relatives, so foster care would be the only option.

A judge would order CPS to complete DNA testing, checking hospital records, filing a police report, and checking missing persons reports before the child would even be considered for reunification. It would involve several court hearings and take a very long time. Probably several months, especially if it involves a child from another country. If it's a kidnapping from another country, Homeland Security would get involved as well.

So, let's say CPS proves that the bio parents are the bio parents, the child still wouldn't be immediately sent back. CPS would check the bio parents to ensure they're safe and appropriate. If CPS determines that the bio parents are unsafe for the child to return to (like prior criminal child abuse charges, parents use drugs, DV in the home, etc.), then the child would not be reunited with them until the parents complete court ordered services. Once the parents complete their services, a judge can make the decision to return the child to the parents.

In the mean time, the child would be placed in a bio family member's custody until a judge allows the child to go back to the bio parents. If there isn't a family member for the child to return to, then the child would remain in foster care. The child and family would also receive services through CPS like specialized counseling and supervised visitations between the parents and child prior to reunification.

I haven't seen the show, but I'm sure the show writers made it a plot point where the child was allowed to have contact with her kidnapper for the ~drama~. But that wouldn't happen in real life. The kidnapper would have a no contact order and jailed on felony kidnapping. If the kidnapper allows contact or encourages contact with the child, then they would face even more charges and jail time.

[lavenderleahy]

i've been on board with every storyline 911 has thrown my way but i cannot handle hen being freaked out by the reunification of her foster daughter. i have two good friends who are foster parents and reunification is ALWAYS the primary goal of foster care. yes, it's an emotional process but hen seems completely blindsided by this process. you do not get into foster care without knowing this shit ahead of time.

[anamericangirl]

Hey I watched that pro life tik tok video. As a person who was in foster care in 2 years. Yeah, foster care is about fixing the family unit. Now it don’t always work like I did not go back to my father and stepmom (mainly because of her) I don’t understand the gotcha pro choice people do?

Plenty want to adopt, but it going to cost you a penny and loooooooooong process to get approve.

They try to do gotchas like that because they don't understand these systems. They tell us we should be adopting kids in foster care when many of the children in foster care aren't even up for adoption because the goal of foster care is reunification with the biological parents. And many times, like in your case, that reunification doesn't happen and then kids will be available for adoption and many are adopted by their foster parents. But pro-aborts think we're hypocrites or not really pro-life because foster care exists, I guess.

There's a lot about both foster care and the adoption system that could and should be fixed and I'm all for fixing the broken parts of these systems but even with it operating as is there are more people waiting to adopt in the country then there are kids available to adopt and still pro-aborts try to use it against us because, just like is the case when they talk about pregnancy and abortion, they don't actually have any knowledge about these things. They are just regurgitating talking points they've heard.