Not Another Head Case(worker)

On Wednesday, my Squirrels were beyond excited to go see their former foster care caseworker Kim.  Now, I know, there are lots of horror stories about caseworkers out there - not giving correct information about a child or never returning phone calls or acting calloused about the needs of foster parents.  And certainly, when I look at the caseworker case loads and the absolute junk they have to wade through, you can see where there would be an exceptionally high burn out factor.

But my kiddos won the foster care lottery when they got Kim for a caseworker.  And that means I did to.  She genuinely loves my little Squirrels and has kept tabs on them even after the adoption was finalized.  She was great for getting me information and resources to be able to advocate for my kids.  One time, I had forgotten to let her know we were going to be traveling out of state with the girls - which, while they are still wards of the state, requires written consent from the guardian ad litem (the attorney who represents the girls in court but who never ever really sees them).  Kim rushed to have that approved the same day so we could take the girls to see my nephew play in the state football tournament. 

Kim had not seen the girls since they were adopted in June of 2009 and was amazed by how big they had gotten.  The girls were able to tell her about school and soccer and show her how they can both read now.  After big hugs and updates on their baby sister (adopted by another family), we agreed to meet again each year.  Kim was a part of their lives for three years - longer than I have been at this point - and I feel it it so important to continue their connection to her for as long as she's willing. 

I guess all this is to say that who you have as a caseworker in foster care makes ALL the difference and we'd be delighted if Kim brought us our next kids as well.  And my girls have much love for this wonderful woman who made their time in foster care a lot more bearable.