(Posted 2022 June)
Mira* was separated from her biological mother as a result of mom’s illegal drug use. Mira was born substance exposed, and she was placed in a DFS foster home immediately following her discharge from the hospital at one week old. Mira’s mother, Diane*, was a long-term heroin user and was actively using during her pregnancy.
The foster mother, Michelle*, has been fostering for many years and has experience working with drug exposed babies. There were numerous doctors’ appointments for Mira that Michelle and Diane attended together. As a result of the frequent doctors’ visits, in addition to twice a week visitation, Michelle and Diane developed a close relationship.
Michelle would often communicate Mira's needs, including her daily schedule for eating and sleeping, and what it's like caring for Mira full time. The women kept in regular contact by phone, and this continued to positively grow their relationship. Diane was able to learn about how to meet Mira’s needs and be an active mother in her life.
Michelle’s ability to bridge the gap with Diane allowed Diane to maintain her maternal role with her daughter. The regular contact with Mira allowed for the mother/daughter bond to thrive. As Diane progressed through her treatment and sobriety, Michelle brought Mira to Diane’s family reunions. Michelle began to meet Diane’s extended support network and helped to integrate Mira into the family.
About six months after the separation, the department was able to identify and contact Mira’s biological father, Charles*. This was achieved by diligent searches performed by the Permanency Unit. Once identified, the foster specialist engaged the father (who hadn’t known he had a daughter). Visitation commenced and Charles was able to establish a paternal role in Mira’s life. To this day, Charles has regular contact and visitation with Mira, allowing for Mira to develop a bond with her father and his relatives.
While Mira resided in the foster home, Diane was able to seek and participate in substance abuse treatment and gain stability in her life, remaining substance free. She was an active member of the outpatient treatment program with the Community Service Board. Diane was so active that at times she led the groups and was a model participant.
In addition to the substance abuse program, she received case management services through a peer support specialist who met with her on a biweekly basis. He was able to provide guidance to Diane surrounding how to cope with relapse triggers and navigate court ordered services while remaining drug free.
The peer support program is housed within the Children, Youth and Families division. The team, including Diane, Charles, Michelle, the peer support specialist, and the foster care specialist met on a regular basis to monitor Diane’s on-going progress. Today, Diane remains active with her participation and communication with her peer support program and remains drug free.
Diane attends weekly groups through that program. She has voiced that Peer Support has been an integral part of her sobriety. Diane is so committed that she is currently under the certification process to be a peer support specialist to help others who are in recovery.
This story demonstrates how important it has been for Michelle and Diane to have an ongoing relationship throughout the life of the case and beyond. The support Michelle provided for Diane gave her hope for reunification. This hope inspired and motivated Diane to seek the help she needed to better herself and to have Mira returned to her custody.
The positive relationship Michelle built with Diane contributed to reunification at the Permanency Hearing. Michelle continues to remain a support to Mira and Diane. She is a regular babysitter and is considered part of her family. Her role was so significant that Diane asked Michelle to be Mira’s Godmother.
*Names changed to protect confidentiality.
This article is provided by one of the South County Foster Care Units.
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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