u/bbcard1

We have two (of seven) kids who were removed from their home two weeks ago. Their mother was placed under arrest with several felony child abuse with serious injury charges. The charges will almost certainly be reduced. We have had a relationship (we've taken the to church and occasionally other activities) with the kids (15M/12F) for about a year and they are comfortable in our home and with us, though there are significant differences (we are in our 60s, we are white and they are black). We, however, offer a stable, financially and emotionally secure rock solid home and we would be willing to keep the kids at least for the school year, probably longer, as kinship foster parents. As the kids are mature, they would be the most likely candidates to be the first returned to the mother unless her legal charges stick (she has only a public defender). Tomorrow's meeting will bring together us, the socialworker, the kids and possibly other relatives to create a plan for the family. What should we expect? What should we tell the kids to do? Our only concern is they get put in the best total situation for them. I want them to be prepared for the meeting though.

We are emergency caregivers (beginning the foster parent process just in case) who are keeping two teens, one middle schooler, one high schooler, whose mother is going through the legal process for felony child neglect, mainly due to an issue with an autistic sibling who left the home while the mother was away. She's not a bad person. There's a chance the older kids could be back in their home next month. She is allowed supervised visits and still lives in their house, but the kids are not allowed to live with her or be with her without supervision. Because of this, the school system says the family is not displaced; therefore, the children are not eligible for MV transportation services. It is currently taking me over three hours a day to provide transport. I think it would be counter to their best interest to make them change schools (we live in a different district) until their long-term living arrangements are determined. We have gotten next to no support from Social Services as they are sort of in a gray area. We are financially fine and have been able to take on the extra expenses for the short term, but this seems an unreasonable burden to make us provide school transportation. My wife and I both work. Any suggestions? Virginia.

That woman stood by him through thick....