Question by Mr. doing what’s right: Can I receive assistance from child services if i file for temporary custody?
The child is my 2 year old third cousin, I am in New York (Bronx County) and the child is in another county in the southwest region of New York state. She is my cousin through way of her father which has been incarcerated for over 2 years (repeat offender)
So here is some brief information on the situation. The little girls mom has been in and out of rehabilitation battling alcoholism for over 25 years. She already has 2 older children removed from her care many years ago. About a year ago, the child was placed in foster care since mom had a relapse. I found out 5 months later at which point i got involved to try to foster her while mom received the care she needed to eventually get her back. My family and I (I have a girlfriend of 4 years and a step daughter who is 5 and a half) have made several trips to inquire about her case and situation and most importantly, to try to motivate “mom” and spend time with the little girl.
Since my 2 year old cousin has been with her current foster mother for a going on a year in a couple of months and due to the fact, that mom is not showing as much progress as she should, i am thinking of filing for custody before her foster man has rights to adopt her and frankly, can do and take my cousin away from all of us.
My question is, when i file for custody, can any of the counties assistst me financially with the baby. I’m the only one working currently and my though i make “decent” money, i have entirely too many expenses to take on the additional responsibility of a child. I’m torn though because i know she belongs with family.
Best answer:
Answer by justagrandma
As a third cousin that may not be close enough to be considered family to the court.
If you qualify for foster parent status you may receive a stipend, but that would end once you adopt the child. Until the child is adopted it would not belong to your family and you would be under supervision of CPS.
And the child could still be removed or returned to a closer relative or her mother or father when they get out.
Truthfully, if you are happy with the foster situation now, and they want to adopt the child then I’d leave it alone.
The welfare of the child and her security is more important than a third cousin who can’t really afford another child. The welfare of the child should always be paramount and you can’t assure that if you need the money she would bring as a foster child and you can lose that if you adopt her.
What do you think? Answer below!