Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Blast from the past

Last week, I received a voicemail at work from an attorney from the Children's Law Center in DC.  She said that she had a few questions about a foster child that I worked with waaaaay back when, in what seems like another lifetime, when I was a foster care social worker.  

After we connected in person, I learned that this foster child is (hopefully) being adopted by his foster parents - the same foster parents he had when I was working the case.  This is great news to me - they really were a perfect match, and I know that being adopted will be so great for him.  I also learned that the Children's Law Center had hired an investigator to find me!  Wow, don't I feel special.  I give them credit...I worked in foster care two jobs ago, before heading to the hospital in March of 2007.  Since then, I have moved from DC to Indiana AND I have changed my name.  Good job, investigator!  Of course, little did they know that I still use the same cell phone number...which probably would have been a much easier way to get in touch with me.  Oh well.

Anyway!  Since then, I have literally spent hours on the phone with the attorney preparing for this morning's adoption hearing - during which I will testify by phone.  

Now, this has been no picnic.  I last saw this kid over two years ago...and naturally, several of the case details were a bit fuzzy.  Questions like..."do you remember how many times you reviewed drug test results for R---'s mother?" really stumped me, considering how many parents I had drug tested.  Digging deep into my memory about this case reminded me how happy I am to not be working in foster care anymore.  But - all that aside, I have remembered a surprising amount about this case, and I really do look forward to testifying today.  

Definitely a blast from the past.

UPDATE:  I just got off the phone with the attorney again, who informed me that the biological mom's attorney plans on drawing things out for a lengthy trial and he will likely cross-examine me.  Awesome.  I am 100% happy that I am testifying over the phone, not in person, so I can't LOOK nervous, and plus...I never have to see these people again!  Whew!

9 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Gosh, isn't it heartbreaking how long the process lasts? He is just now getting adopted? Sigh. At least he is going to a great family!!!

And holy investigative work batman. Too bad they didn't at least try your cell :)

Erin said...

OK, it's seriously funny to me that they didn't at least try your cell before hiring a PI! :-)

Grrrr. These hearings can be SO taxing - just remember that all your trouble means a Forever Family for little R. It's totally worth it! I mean, THIS is why we went into the field, right?

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's pretty intense. Best of luck!

Lucky in Love said...

You lead such an interesting life friend...

bianca said...

I've interned in child advocacy law and that whole process is intense. I'm totally stoked for that child. Good luck with testifying...hopefully they can't grill you too hard over the phone! :)

Casey (@ Chaos and Cardboard) said...

Good luck with the process. Hopefully the right outcome occurs. Glad they tracked you down!

kilax said...

What great news! Why didn't they just call though? Ha ha!

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

Well I'm glad you can phone that in. I've had to testify once before and it can be nerve raking

jenn said...

ooo your job is so nuts!!!