I was in court yesterday when a three-year-old child was taken from his foster adopt mother to be placed with a great-uncle and aunt at the request of the state child welfare department. No evidence was allowed to explain the possible impact on the child. Instead the judge denied the foster mother's request to intervene as a party. The argument was made that foster care is merely temporary.
That confuses what should be with what is. Of course foster care was intended to be and should be temporary. But what happens when it isn't and the child becomes bonded to his foster/adopt parents?
Foster parents are urged to advocate for the children under their care. With 24/7 contact, they know the most about what is going on. When foster care becomes long-term, foster parents should have or be granted the right to intervene. That way the judge will have access to complete information before making the most important decision in the child's entire life.