Friday, October 1, 2010

Its All in Who You Know

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and it pains me to say that.

It shouldn't be that way. People should be treated the same no matter who they know, but unfortunately, sometimes not knowing anyone gets you shuffled to the back of the line, or the bottom of the stack, or placed on hold and given the run-around because someone just can't be bothered with doing their job properly.

There are "hundreds of kids who need forever homes",. I used to think that meant a home they could live in and a family they could be with forever. It is seeming more like they call it that because when they get one it seems like it takes forever to process. So one reader suggested I write a letter and send it certified mail. I thought that idea might have merit so I went to the home page on the web of the Mystery Mansion to look for names and addresses.

Lo and behold, right there in the head honcho's office is a name of a woman I first met over 25 years ago. I didn't know if she would remember me, but I figured what the heck, I might as well give it a shot. I sent her an email.

She remembered me and within hours I got a call from the child services director's office. The woman there says she is going to help out. I am excited that maybe we will move forward. I would appreciate a baby step at this point since we have gone nowhere in over two months, but it still shouldn't be that way.

These offices suffer from bad press all the time. They need to create their own advocates from the general public. Who better to advocate for them then a foster parent like myself who is involved in the process. Instead of treating me (and I am sure many others) in a way that would help their cause and create a positive advocate for them, they just do things to make it worse.

It shouldn't be who you know that gets things done, but for this moment, I am glad it may have turned out that way......At least for (S).

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2 comments:

  1. This is so true... the offices do get bad press, I don't know which is sadder: that so many of them deserve the bad press, or being the ones that don't deserve it but still get the bad press. I have had absolutely wonderful caseworkers and I have had abyssmal ones. There seems no rhyme or reason to it. The type of caseworker [or adoption worker] you have transforms your experience. Having a wonderful one makes your foster parenting experience so much easier and an awful one leaves you frustrated and without support. Where is our magic wand to fix this?
    I just happened on your blog.. thanks for offering your insights!

    Gail Underwood Parker [www.upbeatsanddownbeats.blogspot.com]

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  2. Having to pull strings is sad but I'm so glad you did!!!!

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