Case Plan Changed to Adoption!

There was a hearing today for Summer and we were there. The good news is the judge granted that the case plan be changed to adoption. This means the process can begin to terminate the parental rights, which usually takes around 90 days. Then the adoption procedure can begin. The birth mother was there requesting more time for her case plan, but the judge ruled in favor of the change in the plan from reunification to adoption. The birth mother was there pleading her case, but the judge listened to DFCS case worker and the child advocacy attorney who insisted among other things that Summer had a close bond with us, her foster family. We were so sad for Summer's birth mother, but happy that the judge ruled the way she did. We think it is best for Summer, of course, but we know we are a little biased. Here is a photo of Selam, her case worker. We feel like we owe her a lot for all she has done for Summer.
While at the courthouse we ran into Aleeza, the adoption case worker who was in charge of Hannah's case when we adopted her. Here is a photo of her. We hope and pray that she will also get to work on Summer's case. She is so warm and caring, and she has a lot of wisdom. She even has 6 kids of her own.
Speaking of awesome people, here is Mary, the child advocacy attorney who really cares for Summer and who spoke up boldly on Summer's behalf in court today. She visited us recently and brought her husband along. Don't let anyone give you the impression that DFCS workers are not top notch. We have met some awesome people through working with DFCS fostering and adopting children.