(Posted 2024 October)
This article is by Penny Talley, supervisor of the Annandale Foster Care Unit.
In November 2022, 16-year-old Ramona* was sitting at a local hospital seeking emergency care due to excruciating pain. She had attempted to reach David*, her father, but he wasn’t answering phone calls from her or hospital staff seeking consent for treatment.
Due to Ramona’s extreme pain and the length of time with no parental response, Child Protective Services was called. Ramona explained that she was living on her own due to her father’s alcohol abuse and inability to care for her.
Staff with the Department of Family Services tried unsuccessfully to reach Ramona’s mother, Doris*, who was living out of state and was unaware of Ramona’s living situation. With both parents out of touch, Ramona entered foster care immediately for her safety.
Evaluations and Assessments Reveal Challenges
During the Preliminary Removal Hearing a few days later, David and Doris asked for Ramona to be reunited with her mother. DFS initiated an Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) referral. This is a requirement for family members like Doris who live outside of Virginia. It involves the completion of a home study assessing the home and family member for placement.
The court ordered David to complete an alcohol and drug services evaluation and to complete a parent child assessment with Ramona. David was reluctant to sign consents for the evaluation until April 2023, and then he never completed the evaluation. The parent child assessment revealed that David was more of a peer than an authority figure to Ramona. For instance, he was fully aware and consented to Ramona living on her own, quitting school, and working full time.
Frustration Mounts due to father’s Alcohol Abuse
David rarely checked in on Ramona by phone while she was in foster care and often showed up to visits appearing to be under the influence. He canceled most of his face-to-face visits with Ramona over a five-month period.
The canceled visits made Ramona worry constantly about her father's health, and she’d be anxious leading up to the next visit. She voiced feeling abandoned by him. For her sake, DFS suspended all visitation in June 2023. David eventually communicated to DFS that he wasn’t interested in being a full-time caregiver to Ramona.
A Mother Fights for Her Child
On the other hand, Doris, who lived five hours away with Ramona's two younger siblings, consistently maintained contact with DFS and Ramona. She was eager to do anything to get her daughter back as quickly as possible.
Doris was on top of working with DFS to help with the smooth transition of services for Ramona to her locality even ahead of the contracted ICPC specialist’s initial contact with her. During this assessment period, Doris participated in regular virtual and in-person visits as well as school and family partnership meetings. She was quick to respond to all necessary requests, medical documentation and the home safety inspection.
A Mother and Child Reunion
Despite some processing delays, in September 2023, DFS was informed that Doris' home had been approved and DFS could place Ramona in the home with her siblings and mother. Ramona excitedly joined her family in October. She started school immediately and had her first therapy appointment with her new therapist that week.
DFS was required to supervise the ICPC placement for six months and complete monthly visits with Ramona and Doris before transferring custody. Doris ensured that any and all needs for Ramona were met and she communicated on a weekly basis with DFS.
It became clear that Ramona was content and less stressed living with her mother and siblings. She talked more enthusiastically about her life and family. Doris provided a loving home where Ramona still feels wanted and supported.
On February 26, 2024, Doris regained custody of her daughter, Ramona. Doris never wavered in wanting to have her daughter back in her life or in completing all the necessary steps required for a home study. She did this while maintaining her household, raising two younger children and working full time. Ramona's best interests were always at the forefront of her mind.
*Names changed to protect confidentiality.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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