The youth has no foster parent but is placed in a relatives house under DCFS, but would like to move to another state for better assistance with herself, her child, and her education. Is that possible? If so please provide me with details about handling that situation!
216565
Until the youth is of legal age and no longer a ward, she cannot leave the state.
510476
That's a hard one!  I don't think either that they should go back either.  Children need a stable environment.  It's not good on them to be transfered around.  Even back to parents that don't care about them anyways.  Im so sorry that you have to go through this.  If I were you,  I would fight this as hard as you can.  Good Luck!
273165
OOps sorry let me edit this..\n\nMost important question is - are they LEGALLY your gaurdian?  It sounds like this might be your sister.. or maybe a young aunt.\n\nWhat state are you in?  How old are you?  It depends on how your caregiver will react.  I did the same thing when I was 17 and my parents freaked and were able to take me back.  I spent a few days in Juvi.. but other than that nothing terrible will happen.  If you are 17, I suggest talking to your parents about this and seeing if they would let you.  Does your friends family want you to move there?  Have them talk to your caregiver.  If you are any younger, either wait or have the family talk to your caregiver..  I totally understand where you are coming from, sometimes your home can just be toxic, especially if your parents are going through a divorce, or some issues of their own.. I've been moved out for 2 years now, and even when I come to visit, it just sucks my soul dry.. Some people and places are just so bad for you.  Talk to them .. really.  OR just go ahead and do it, but know this - they will be able to find you - and they will force you to come back - BUT after that happens, they will be open for dialog with you - you will be able to tell them how damaging their home is to you - and they will be able to take you seriously.. This is what happened to me- They never listened until after I ran away.. Then they let me finish my high school degree online and let me move out when I needed to.\n\nTo help you any further, I would need to know your age and your state.\n\nAnd like the other person mentioned, if you are working and making some of your own money, you might be able to get emancipated. \n\nChoices Other Than Emancipation\n\nEmancipation is only one of several alternatives available to you if you feel you cannot live with your caregiver.  You may want to consider other options such as:\n\nfamily counseling or mediation service between you and your parents; \nliving with another responsible adult (aunt, uncle, grandparent, or family friend); \nseeking assistance from public and private agencies; \nan informal agreement with your caregiver allowing you to live outside your home. \n\n\nMy final advice to you is this - family counseling - if nothing else works - this will.  The other person there can help you communicate effectively with your caregiver - and don't assume they will only be on your caregivers side either.  Present your case to them, and unless you have no reason for wanting to move out, they will support you and help you work out a solution with your family..\n\nGood luck, ok?  Feel free to personally email me if you need any personal or legal advice..  Bj_Osterhout@yahoo.com
466696
Call CPS (child welfare) anonymously and ask them what would be best.  \n\nYou can ask to be emancipated.  Your brother can apply to be your guardian.   You can report your father to the police or call child welfare and then ask to be placed with your brother. \n\n\nHere's info on emancipation.  I also have links below for guardianship and free legal help.\n\nGood luck.  Remember, don't let the bad influences around you drag you down.  Put yourself first and strive for your best.\n\nQuoting Florida Statutes, Section 743.015 - Disabilities of nonage; removal.\n(1) A circuit court has jurisdiction to remove the disabilities of nonage of a minor age 16 or older residing in this state upon a petition filed by the minor's natural or legal guardian or, if there is none, by a guardian ad litem.\n\n(2) The petition shall contain the following information:\n\n(a) The name, address, residence, and date of birth of the minor.\n\n(b) The name, address, and current location of each of the minor's parents, if known.\n\n(c) The name, date of birth, custody, and location of any children born to the minor.\n\n(d) A statement of the minor's character, habits, education, income, and mental capacity for business, and an explanation of how the needs of the minor with respect to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and other necessities will be met.\n\n(e) Whether the minor is a party to or the subject of a pending judicial proceeding in this state or any other jurisdiction, or the subject of a judicial order of any description issued in connection with such pending judicial proceeding.\n\n(f) A statement of the reason why the court should remove the disabilities of nonage.\n\n(3) If the petition is filed by the natural or legal guardian, the court must appoint an attorney ad litem for the minor child, and the minor child shall be brought before the court to determine if the interest of the minor will be fully protected by the removal of disabilities of nonage. The attorney ad litem shall represent the child in all related proceedings.\n\n(4) If the petition is filed by the guardian ad litem or next friend, service of process must be perfected on the natural parents.\n\n(5) If both parents are not jointly petitioning the court for the removal of the disabilities of nonage of the minor, service of process must be made upon the nonpetitioning parent. Constructive service of process may be used, provided the petitioning parent makes an actual, diligent search to discover the location of, and provide notice to, the nonpetitioning parent.\n\n(6) The court shall consider the petition and receive such evidence as it deems necessary to rule on the petition. If the court determines that removal of the disabilities of nonage is in the minor's best interest, it shall enter an order to that effect. An order removing the disabilities of nonage shall have the effect of giving the minor the status of an adult for purposes of all criminal and civil laws of the state, and shall authorize the minor thereafter to exercise all of the rights and responsibilities of persons who are 18 years of age or older.\n\n(7) The court shall consider the petition and, if satisfied that the removal of the disabilities is in the minor's best interest, shall remove the disabilities of nonage; and shall authorize the minor to perform all acts that the minor could do if he or she were 18 years of age.\n\n(8) The judgment shall be recorded in the county in which the minor resides, and a certified copy shall be received as evidence of the removal of disabilities of nonage for all matters in all courts.
291645
Pretty complicated to answer ...But,The children usually go to the closest relative after DFACS investigates how stable the home is ...If not the children go into the state's custody.
180959
First of all, and unfortunately or fortunately for you, because your child is 12 they can decide where they want to live. At least in the state of Washington they can. It may be different where you live. Unless there are circumstances where there is abuse or neglect, though, you may have a hard time depending on where you are and what the laws are.\nThe first thing I would do is to contact your local Department of Social & Health Services and speak with someone there about what your rights are and can be done or not done for you based on your income. It's quite possible that if your income is lower they could provide you with financial help. However, you should be aware that if you're in need of financial help and your ex-husband is not, it's going to make your situation harder as he can financially support her and you can't. \nCall those people though, it's a start and if nothing else they can lead you in the right direction.\nGood Luck!
405873
i will pray for her:) i think youre a great friend for being so concerend too by the way. it may take a while, but she will be returned to her parents. my half brother was taken away from his mom because of her drug usage, and we gained custody of him for a while. we gave him a wondeful home, but as soon as she cleaned up, they took him away from us and put him wiht her again. that wasnt in his best interest, but usualy, they do go back after everything cools down.  as far as her having to move then. it will hurt like crazy, but you two can still keep in touch. i live in texas now and my BEST friend lives in new york. we talk everyday and e-mail too. we learned to appreciate one another a lot more instead of taking our friendship for granted. we are closer now than ever. change isnt always bad. we both went to school in georgia, but moved when we graduated... im happy and shes happy, even though we miss each other like crazy ( and our families and other friends.) you got the right idea about prayer, it does amazing things... keep it up, and i will too! god bless you!
584391
I have worked in a group home that was affiliated with an actual residential treatment facility. It would seem that this child is currently in crisis. If he is in a group home, he should have been receiving some sort of wrap-around services. I would get in touch with either the judge, his DCFS caseworker or his therapist and they can initiate a 3 day psychological crisis placement in a hospital to evaluate the child. ( I am not sure how old he is which could affect this advice) If this is done, and it appears that he needs extra support, it would probably be a good idea for him to lose unsupervised home visits for a while until he is stabilized. If he continues to escalate, then it is possible he needs a more restrictive environment (residential) for a while, again his therapist and case managers would have to be involved in the facilitation and the determination of this type of placement. In the meantime...take his clothes and shoes, put him in pajamas until he earns back the privileges that go with being trusted.\n\nThis is what we did with our kids when they went AWOL and we kept a supply of pajamas just for these instances. The kids had no slippers, shoes or clothes and this was a real deterrent to running away.\n\nI hope this helps, and I hope the young chap gets some help, it really sounds like something bad may have happened while he was at home and this is his reaction.\n\nGood Luck
150599
Usually the age is 12, but you can't just move.  The non-custodial parent would have to get a court hearing stating that "this is what my child wants" then the Court hears the child's testimony.\n\nEven at that...sometimes the Court will still not rule to let the child move.  \nBe aware that even if the non-custodial parent and the child want the child at the NC's house, the custodial parent could press charges if the Courts haven't changed custody over to the current NC parent.
662587
I could tell you stories till you beg me to stop. Most children go to State homes-they are not adopted and many do not have family here to take care of them. A few in numbers do fine.\n State homes--you would not believe what happens to many here-especially if they go to Foster homes. I listened to stories on a daily work basis--they are sad. Visit a home and ask them. 8 out of 10-wish they were not left here. Sad but true. I won't go into what happens to most-because of adult content. Oprah once said when she interview some--it is one of America's dirty secrets. Most parents leave them for selfish reasons-I heard them too. they hope they will all benefit. If Mother's would listen they would not leave their children with other people.  I don't know where you are headed with this-but yes go talk to the children who grew up on the State-there are many-more than are left with family. \n That is the bad side-but there are some good stories-but if you weight them out -the worst happens.\n So who have babies and have kept them here--how many are doing very well. Few in numbers I bet.\n\nCan you hear a pin drop  in here?
71552
Okay, this is a tough one.  Legally, you can petition the courts for a change in custody from your ex-wife to yourself.  The reason would be, of course, that your ex-wife is doing a lousy job parenting by not actually parenting your daughter.  This puts your daughter in your custody in your house in New York.\n\nAnd here's the problematic part because a 17 year-old generally does not go anywhere she doesn't want to go.  So if you take her out of that situation and bring her to New York, she'll just run away and turn up (if you're lucky) back in Florida.  Moreover, when she turns 18, she can go any place she likes and no Court can tell her differently.\n\nSo there's actually very little that you can do.  One thing, of course, is you probably don't have to pay your wife child support anymore.  If you are paying, you should petition immediately to stop.  Otherwise, you may have very little room to maneuver.
193319
I'm sorry to say that your post is a little difficult to read and understand your question.  I suspect though, that it was a little more of soapboxing than a question.\n\nDCFS/CPS cannot just come into your home and remove your children for 'no reason.'  They have to have valid and documentable evidence that your child is in a dangerous situation.  They are not the only ones who get a say in making this decision either.  The evidence and defense must be presented to a judge who decides whether the child is remanded to the custody of the state or returned to its natural parents.\n\nThis doesn't mean it's a perfect system.  In my years in social service I saw many children returned to parents only to be abused again and again and worse each time.  I even had the sad experience of seeing one die of abuse.  So if mistakes are made on that side, it's not inconceivable to believe that mistakes can be made on the other side as well, and a have a child removed when it's not warranted.  I'll be honest, I've thought about myself in a parent's shoes and I would be angry, scared, etc.\n\nThe best thing you can do for your family and that child is to hold it together.  Get an attorney (if you can't afford one, the court must provide you one) and follow his/her advice to the letter.  Concentrate on getting your child back and not on your anger at the system.
543916
You are right you do not need this but you do need a place to be until may 25, so You can either antagonize you grandmother, or just smile and tell her she is exactly right no matter what she says. remember she raised your mom or dad, so you already know her qualifications as a parent. I would avoid her as much as physically possible, hang out at the library, do as much studying as possible out of home the less you are ther the smaller target you will be, what is the worst that she can do throw you out, I am sure the state will find a foster home for a few months for you, Please try and hang in there as you say you have gone threw so much already this little bit more will be over soon. You are living proof that what doesn't kill you,  does make you stronger. and You have my admiration for one best of luck
27308
i believe a 15 year old would have alot of say in california.  has your mom filed an order to show cause why she can't move?  does she have good reason other than your being a performer? after all, there is L.A.  how far from LA do your live? there needs to be good cause for her to move and take you with her.  there is much case law on the subject. check out "findlaw.com", search Cal cases and codes, search words "move-away"
558668
She can take the GED test; I believe some places even offer refresher courses to help prepare you for the exam. Also she could start college at a community college, most of these have open enrollment policies where anyone can get in, diploma or not, provided they take and pass placement exams for math and such. Once she has her AA from one of these, she can transfer anywhere pretty much. PS I went back to school at 30 and had a great time; I hope that she does too!
240313
***you have to sign for her**** but she can move out when she is 17 if she wants as long  she lives with a adult and going to school there is nothing you can do about that\n\n(in texas anyway)
548963
Get a lawyer - it's your only hope.  And why did you send your child away?  And it's up to his guardians (father and step-mom) to decide who best to be able to contact the child.  Did you do something to upset them this much?  Or to the child?  Seems to me like there's info here that's missing.  If it's due to you not being able to afford to keep him home, you should have tried harder.  I have 2 children, and never would I ever consider sending them away, to their father's or anywhere else in this world.  I have worked 2 jobs for 10 years to make a life for them, and I spend as much time with them as possible.