(Posted 2025 July)
For Olivia* and Gabriel, their lives had not been complete since moving to Fairfax County from their home in Puerto Rico. The loving couple, married since 2020, had moved to the area as a result of relocation orders in October 2023.
Olivia had a son from a previous relationship, who had a variety of medical challenges including ADHD, depression, and autism. She joined the US military for a better life, and access to better health care for her son Anthony. Ironically, joining the military is what led to her separation from Anthony.
When Olivia received orders to attend boot camp and relocate, she faced legal hurdles with Anthony’s biological father. While he had never been the most involved or supportive parent, financially or otherwise, he refused to allow Olivia and Gabriel to move Anthony with them to Virginia.
When the time came to leave Puerto Rico, Olivia made the difficult decision to give provisional custody to Anthony’s paternal grandmother who has always loved Anthony deeply. This arrangement has had some challenges as it has become more and more difficult for Anthony’s grandmother to maintain his medical care and find his medications due to supply chain issues there.
A Custody Assessment
This case came to the attention of Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption, when an agency in Puerto Rico requested that our department conduct a custody assessment. This was a first for the department, as we’ve never worked with a case in Puerto Rico before.
This dovetailed with the Puerto Rican court’s requirement that the biological mother find someone to do her custody assessment in the area since she is stationed here. After making several calls, Olivia connected with Amanda Macaulay, the supervisor of the Home Study Unit in Foster Care and Adoption. Macaulay explained that “the mother was so grateful that she had found someone who could help. She was also relieved that this service is free to Fairfax County residents, so there was no cost associated with us helping her with the assessment.”
Macaulay assigned the case to a bilingual foster care worker in her unit, Jennifer Ortega, to oversee the custody assessment to make it easier to conduct interviews and read documents created in Spanish.
Dedication in Action
What became apparent throughout the process was that Olivia and Gabriel were dedicated to caring for Anthony and providing the best possible life for him that they could. They were eager to have him join them and they had already done the legwork to find medical and therapeutic providers to care for him. They had researched and determined his eligibility for an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and a military support program which would ensure that his care and accommodations would continue wherever the family is stationed. Olivia’s superior officers supported her efforts to bring Anthony to live with her and preparations to help him acclimate.
Jennifer Ortega conducted a thorough assessment including criminal background checks, interviews with references, work history, inspection of the home and cars, an overview of their financials, and an exploration of their daily routines, parenting philosophy, parenting ability, marital relationship, and their relationships with other family members. Ortega observed Anthony in the home with his parents during a visit and the child was excited to move and live with them.
Outcomes and Future Steps
After the assessment and report were completed, custody was granted to Olivia through the courts. Anthony transitioned to living with his mother and stepfather in Virginia. They have prepared extensively for his move, identifying before-school care, extracurricular activities, and other resources to help Alexander integrate into his new environment. They also found a church where they can worship as a family, as this has been an important part of Anthony’s life in Puerto Rico. They are committed to ensuring Anthony stays connected with his father and paternal family, facilitating regular communication and visits.
The case highlighted this family’s unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing, stable, and supportive environment for Alexander. Their focus on medical, educational, and emotional support, along with their dedication to maintaining a strong familial bond, formed the foundation for their successful custody petition. The involvement and cooperation of Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption was instrumental, demonstrating the supportive role of community services in achieving the best outcomes for children in custody disputes.
*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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