What can you expect when your worker visits you after your child has been placed with you?

Your worker should be visiting you at least once a month up until finalization. These visits are to see how both you and your child are adjusting to the placement. Workers expect that there are going to be issues, so don’t feel the need to sugar coat things and say that everything is going perfectly. Take this from a “been there, done that” parent.

I was afraid to ask for services because I thought if I said we were having difficulties that my child would be removed. I couldn’t have been more wrong. There were services that we needed that I could have had if I had asked for them.

The point of the visits is to help you as much as possible, not to try to take your kids away.

I was fortunate to have great workers, some that I still keep in contact with even though they have left the department. They loved my kids.

There are several reasons for the visits.

1) The worker is required to physically see your child at least once a month to be sure your child is being well cared for.

2) Information you give the worker will be used in the petition to adopt. It will show your capabilities to parent your child as well as your willingness to do what is necessary to help your child.

3) To help you access the necessary services for your child. It could therapy, medication, specialized services like occupational or physical therapy or provide you with other information you might need.

4) Keep your worker updated on the medical issues of your child. With Mackenzie we were working with a specialist at the Eye Institute of Milwaukee. We transported her to all the appointments as dispensed medications as needed. We needed to share this information with the worker to keep her file updated and accurate.

5) The information you give your worker can help you negotiate the best adoption subsidy possible to get services for your child after your adoption is finalized.

These visits are not meant to be invasive or to make your life more difficult, but rather to make things easier for you and for your child.

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