Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Responsibilites

I'm feeling a bit weighted down with responsibilities at the moment. There's been very little time to read and comment on my favorite blogs lately, and for that I apologize. My work as a Guardian ad Litem has been especially heavy.

I've visited Kay a couple of times now. I've been checking in with her on the phone on the weeks that I don't see her, and there was a court hearing last week.  Now that she's over 16 years old she's required to be there. Kids in foster care have to have their cases reviewed at least once every 90 days as a part of their "permanency planning". There will almost certainly be no permanent solution for Kay--she's been up for adoption since she was 13 or so and not one single family has ever shown interest in her. Very few people want to adopt teenagers, which I guess is understandable, but it's still heartbreaking. Kay still hopes to be adopted, and she told the judge so in court last week. That makes me really sad, but I think looking to the future is what's best for her now. This weekend we're having lunch together, and next week I have an appointment for a conference with her school guidance counselor. I want to look over her grades, attendance, behavior, class schedule, etc. and see how we can work together to help her have the best school year possible. I hope, more than anything, to be able to attend her high school graduation next year.

So my work with Kay is keeping me busy, not only visiting her and meeting with her foster family, caseworkers, and counselors, but writing monthly monitoring reports, going to court, and required continuing education classes. There was a two hour workshop just last night. Right before we left, the volunteer coordinator put out a plea for GALs willing to take on a second case--there has been a surge in new cases since school started and they're overwhelmed. I almost put my hand up but thank goodness common sense kicked in and I refrained. I still have my "real" job as well as a family life that I need to consider.

Speaking of which, I still love my new job! The people are nice, the schedule is wonderful, and I'm already beginning to feel comfortable and settled there. My life has changed for the better and I'm profoundly grateful.

31 comments:

  1. Has it crossed your mind that you and Gregg could adopt Kay? My advice is don't do it - maintain a proper distance. I am so pleased to learn that the new job is still going well. Compared with what work used to be like for you I guess you have to pinch yourself some days.

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    1. Kay will be a legal adult in 9 months. Even if Gregg and I were looking to adopt a child (we're not) it wouldn't be a good idea for that child to be her, for all sorts of reasons.

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  2. Yea You !
    Happy to hear your job is going so well.
    I know you and many others want to help more but you have to be care to not overload and burnout.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. Yes, I'm trying to maintain a healthier balance in my life these days. I'm not looking to burn out now that things are finally going well. :)

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    1. Oh dear. I hope I didn't sound like I was complaining. I'm not, not at all!

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  4. Such important work you are doing. And I think you're wise- you have a lot going on. Take care of yourself too. Okay?

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  5. Well done. I hope all goes well for Kay. I suppose her best chance in life is a good education, and eventually a good job.

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    1. That's the only way she's going to have the life she deserves.

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  6. You made a wise choice in NOT putting up your hand to volunteer for a second GAL person, especially since you are just beginning in this work and it sounds like it takes a lot of time and energy. Well done!

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    1. Yes, you're right. There are several volunteers that are retired from paying work, and are better able to handle multiple cases than me!

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  7. It is so important that there are people like you out there, who do such hard work as volunteers! I am a confessing full-time egoist, not doing anything at all of that kind, even though my parents are both active volunteers for different good causes. Maybe when I grow up...

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    1. You have an amazing life...you should enjoy it!

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  8. That is quite an involvement you have going on there with Kay. Such a complex and difficult life for this girl, just as well she has you to help her navigate through the turmoil.
    Well done Jennifer.
    Alphie

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    1. She has a good caseworker that's been in her life for years now. I'm a newcomer just trying to do what I can.

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  9. Sounds like your new life is good. Kay no doubt has a social worker who can take the strain, you can do the nice bits with Kay like lunching and having some fun together.

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  10. Glad to know you're still enjoying the new job. Sorry you're so busy, but I'm gratified by the good work you're doing as a guardian ad Litem. My brother's guardianship hearing is today in Brooklyn. Here's hoping the Court sees fit to appoint me guardian and doesn't decide to first go the Guardian ad Litem stage in his case!

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    1. There should be no doubt of your being appointed guardian for Chuck. Your devotion to him is obvious. ❤

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  11. It is good to read good news from you.

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    1. Thank you Yael. I like hearing from you and think about you often.

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  12. Good to hear you are enjoying your new job and the guardian work sounds so interesting.

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    1. It is interesting! I'm enjoying it all, it's just keeping me extra busy right now.

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  13. I'm glad the new job is going well, and bravo to you for taking on the GAL work. You are making such a difference for that young woman, I'm sure. It IS sad to think of so many older kids (and younger ones too, for that matter) who never get adopted. (Having said that, Olga is about all the child I can handle, personally!)

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    1. I hear you! Ginger, George, and Marco are plenty of kids for us.

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  14. GAL is hard, hard work, and the pay, in my opinion, is a pittance. You deserve praise for taking the job on.

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    1. I don't get any pay for it. It's a volunteer position. Thank you for the nice comment!

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  15. What you're doing for Kay is more important than reading our blogs. I'm so glad you like your job.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thanks Janie! Most often I read blogs but don't have a chance to comment as often as I'd like. But I'm usually around.

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