DYFS, hopefully not a microcosm

Late in blogging this time, spent the better part of the morning pulling my hair out and contemplating sticking pins in my eyes as I haggled with DYFS over a child I am working with.

Before I go any further, and in my own effort to center myself, let me recommend (no, I am not kidding) a wonderful volunteer opportunity called CASA. It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate and advocates for children "in the system". As a volunteer you are assigned a case, usually of one child, but sometimes a family and as the acronym suggests, become their advocate. It's wonderful, sometimes sad but always interesting work that really is making a difference in the lives of the children we are able to touch. Needless to say, there are many more children than there are volunteers so many go without. The organization, and the volunteers are held in high regard in family court and often our insights can "tip a case" in a way that brings resolution to the child's life.

Anyway, my case is incredibly tragic, I won't go into it because we have moved so far along a positive road that it doesn't seem important anymore. However, it can be such a David and Goliath thing -- me against DYFS. It would seem we would all want the best for our youngest members -- after all they will be responsible for us in our old age -- but it's surprising how short sighted many of the folks responsible for and advocating for these children can be.

In this case, I have to advocate for the severing of a parent's rights to their child, so hard as I am a parent, but there seems no other way. This kid is so poised to succeed, but he needs to be "on his own" to get the services he needs and his mother has told everyone who wants to listen that she's not interested in or able to take care of him -- so what's the problem??? History, "family values", religion, all the weird stuff that gets in our heads and mixes all around until we are totally confused and not getting anything done. That was my morning.

Still, I highly recommend this work -- have a couple hours a month? Like kids and seeing them happy and successful? Are you resourceful and tenacious? Think about it because kids are waiting for you.