First, most people don't realize that they may be able to remain involved in their gc's life while in Foster Care, though there is no guarantee. Your daugther, by complying, has shown her desire to change and statistics say only about 1/3 who go into rehab will do that, so you have a plus there. Re preseant and/or future gc, I w/recommend you speak with your daughter and applaud her for what she has done and see if you can work out a plan if she should fall back. You do not state whether your relationship is open w/daughter. You w/need to trust her, though that may be hard because of past problems. You s/also check w/your state department of children and family and find out what rights you have as a grandparent to keep in touch with your gc. Note that the laws are not pro grandparent but things are happening allowing grandparents to be involved. Check your state supreme court website and find out what custody decisions have been made in the past year which may affect and/or support you. Your daughter has had to admit to her demons in order to get this far. She needs to know you are on her side. The fact that you have one of her children means you should work together to give her children the security they need in family. Hope this helps.

My grandson was 5 when he went into foster care. I got to see him fairly regularly during this time. My daughter has some mental health issues and with my gs being a type one diabetic his teacher didn't think Shannon had all the proper eequipment for his care and social services got involved. My daughter was off her meds an may have been irrational when confronted by them. No charges were ever filed against her, the child was placed with his teacher who was not a certified foster parent, but also was diabetic. Social sevices tried to fix it where this woman could adopt him and blocked my daughter in every way they could. When judges got changed a return home plan was made the "foster" moter said he was violent and put him out. The last few months he lived in a Christain children's home and I got to see when I wanted. My daughter has him back now. Hopefully she realizes the value of staying on her meds and not waiting to the lsat minute to orde supplies. Her lawyer is looking into how everything was handled and maybe something will be done about the way he was removed from his home and the pain we lived in for a year.
As Daisy said grandparent laws differ from state to state and they are not fair. My 11 year old gd, diffet daughter, lives with her dad and he refuses to let me see her. Her mother, my daughtr is in prison on drug charges. I petitioned for visitation and was denied because the dad did not want her to be told that her mother loved her. My daughter has lost custody of all her girls, I have custody of one. Just because drugs have a hold of you, doesn't stop you from loving your cildren. I am not defending her, her actions have had bad concequenses for too many people. However he had nothing to do with this girl and he knew what was going on, he was too busy to be a single dad. I was the one who cared for her. Anyhow, when my daughte was arrsted I called the oter grandmoter ad se took th girl to he dds. He had married by this time an the wife is good to her. The dad is so bitter he denies me and my gd's 2 sisters the right to see her and te judge unheld this under VA law. Sory I ran on so. I never dreamed that my older years would be like this. I di not raise my daugters like this. Sorry, but when do I get a life?

Please note that is a federal law signed by G.Bush in October of 2008 that states that grandparents (and other kin)must, by law, be notified of child going into foster care and/or adopted and they must, by law, be given first chance to take children in and/or adopt them. This also applies to keeping siblings together. Unfortunately, the bio dad has the upper hand, as of now, as the courts support the parents right to deny visitation. However, there are laws that give grandparent visitation righs if their child (bio parent) dies. This may also cover incareration. Many times the burden of proving the bond between them. grandparent/grandchild is on the grandparent. You might have a case on keeping siblings able to maintain a relationship. I'm sorry for your pain. Believe me, I can empathize. I can't think of full name of law I referred to but I w/look it up if you are interested in pursuing this. By the way, if the state does not follow this lawy, they can lose federal monies which come to them because of this law. You might start with children and family services in your state. However, don't be surprised if they don't know what you are talking about, but it is their job to know the laws and follow them. For the sake of your gc, I would consider taking the next step.

Oh, by the way, if your gc are adopted and you are not allowed to see them, you can still write a letter to the gc and ask that it be put into their adoption record which can be turned over to them when they turn 18 and they will at least know that you were there and cared.

As the others have said, laws vary from state to state. Here in WI, grandparents are pretty much guaranteed visitation unless there is some outstanding reason (like child sexual offender).

However, that said, you pretty much have to go to court to get it.

It also has a dark side, which is what I am experiencing right now. My ex is not "satisfied" with the visitation I have set up, and is taking me to court - lawyers and all - to get more visitation at his convenience regardless of my guardianship rights.

So, while, as a grandparent you are able to get visitation, I would suggest doing it through gentle channels as much as possible - talk to the social worker and see if she'll help, if you can get some initial visits, be helpful and kind to the foster parents - they have a tough job, as you know. You may even offer to be respite care for gs. This is a SURE way to guarantee you get to see him. They always need respite care providers! :)

My best friend has adopted three children in the foster to adopt program. She allows contact with all siblings. I am sure she would with grandparents if they wanted. The two boys are from the same mother (she had seven, said she was going to keep having them until they let her keep one) and her little girl came from another mother ( she had four before being fixed). My friend invites siblings to all birthday parties and etc.... She is one of a kind and I admire her. They are asked while going through the process if they want this contact or not. She wants her kids to know there extended family and she loved them enough to want them. They have always told them everything. The kids are 4,5,6. They asked her if she wants more. I have met some of the other parents and they are special people. This world needs more people like this. I would say that if your gc goes to foster care get invovled right away and they will probably let you stay in touch.

The 7 year old I have custody of has one full sister who lives with an aunt and uncle they do not encourage contact with Paige. I have had to fight in court to get these girls together. The judge would not give me physical custody since I was already raising 3 grandchildren and caring for a sick friend (who has since died). They seem to think that they are all she needs but the judge gave me generous visitation. Even though Paige is their niece also there has never been any interest shown. It appears thet thee aunt who has a grown daughter wants to have a kid to raise with her new husband. They arereally good to hr but resent our side of the family. These girls are denied visits with their half sister, who lives with her dad. Sometimes it feels like I am the only one fighting to keep this family together. My daughter, mother of these three, gets out of prison in June. I dread this. I don't know if the girls need any more disruptions in their lives. If my daughter has changed I want her to see the girls, but it will be a long time before I will be convinced she needs custody. She only sees Paige, it is almost 2 years since she has seen the other two. My main worry is the aunt and uncle who seem to think their custody is a forever thing. What happens when the aunt gets tired of playing house with this husband?

If you have concern, you need to contact your children and family services in your state and be recognized. The Fostering Adoption act is in effect and states receive monies for complying. It is already a "given" that siblings s/be together. This is to be enforced in any state. If children and family is not complying, the state could have monies taken back for not complying. Grannysk referred to Wisconsin and grandparent visitation, but also states you have to go to court. This s/not be. If you are interested, I will get you the link on this law. Grandparents have been put down for so long,many of us decide we have no control, but we do. However we need to be assertive (not aggressive) in our efforts.