[Golden]

I am looking for an attorney for a friend of mine. She has been a foster parent for a child for the last year. She is concerned for the safety of this child as it looks like they are leaning towards reuniting the child with her biological parents. No one seems to be concerned about the history of child abuse and domestic violence. Her concerns are falling on deaf ears with the case workers and supervisors. She asked me to post to see if anyone knows how to find a pro-bono atty for a case like this.
Thanks in advance!

 

[being]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golden I am looking for an attorney for a friend of mine. She has been a foster parent for a child for the last year. She is concerned for the safety of this child as it looks like they are leaning towards reuniting the child with her biological parents. No one seems to be concerned about the history of child abuse and domestic violence. Her concerns are falling on deaf ears with the case workers and supervisors. She asked me to post to see if anyone knows how to find a pro-bono atty for a case like this. Thanks in advance!

Golden,
I just noticed this post
Although I'm not able to provide referral .I really hope you and your friend were able to find atty -pro-bono...Have you found one yet?
Definately steer clear off DSS for referrals. This issue hits home for me as I was under DSS'"care " years ago but recent press coverage indicates children's safety /lives often remain's in peril..
If you have time to update re:atty status please do -as I will search for atty /services if you haven't been successful and involve others ..
Hope you were able to find legal aid.
Be

 

[Golden]

Unfortunately she hasn't found anyone yet.

 

[MAMom]

I sent an email to a friend who is an attorney to see if she's knows of anyone (she's not practicing right now). Will post back if she has any recommendations.

=================
Mama to DS 5/03 & DD 2/06

:

: ICAN "You never know when you're making a memory." ~ Rickie Lee Jones

 

[Sierra]

Sorry I don't know of anyone. I also know very little about MA family law. But as a foster parent, I can say this. Foster parents aren't "party to the case" with any foster child. We have few, if any legal rights in any case. In addition, children can be moved if a foster parent doesn't support the case plan because that's part of our job description. That said, there seem to basically be two ways to ways to respond to strong concerns about a case that aren't otherwise being heard. One is to work your way up the system's process for foster parent concerns (is there an ombudsman, etc.). The second is to try to fight the system legally, for example filing for third party custody of the child. I know a family law attorney who once told me she had been involved in a couple of cases where foster parents fought the system in that kind of manner. I didn't get the details, but outlook for that kind of thing is poor.

Anyway, sorry I couldn't be of help.

 

[kdabbler]

I wish I could help by giving you a name, but I don't know anyone. However, while I was researching volunteer organizations a few years ago, I came across this organization: http://www.massadvocates.org/

If I were your friend, I would call them and ask how they can help or if they can refer her to anyone.

 

[Golden]

Thank you! I just passed this info on to her.