running while in foster care

[Guest]

i had a child (niece) living w/ me who was a foster child. everything was good for 1st year then she started getting violent in my home & running from my home but would return the same day. After 1 very intense physical attack from her I decided that she needed more therapeutic helpso DHS placed her in a crises center & she continued the behavior there & would run (it's not a locked facility) so she would come back after a day or 2 after partying and sexually acting out while on the run. DHS's solution was to put her on birth cnotrol & hope she'd come back on her own. time after time i'd suggest to her caseworker that I felt she needed to be in a locked facility for her safety since she's being sexually active while she's on the run, but they reufused saying "she doesn't belong in a place like that" or " it would be more harm than good"...she ran away again on 8/14/10 & hasn't been heard from since.
I think I'm the only one doing anything to look for her...DHS should take some accountability here so my question is how can I see to it that if I do find her she doesn't end up back at that unsecure center & get her the help she desperatly needs?

[ccsmod7]

Re: running while in foster care

Thanks so much for contacting us and reaching out about your situation. You mentioned that your niece recently returned to a foster care facility and you are concerned because it is not lock-down and she continues to runaway. You also said that you have spoken with her case worker about the situation and feel that no one is doing anything to resolve what’s going on. It’s completely understandable how frustrated you are about what’s going on and genuinely concerned for your niece.

Do you have any idea where your niece goes when she runaway? Do you think she is in the local area or that she has gone further away? Has anyone made a runaway report about the situation? Do you have any custody rights of your niece or is she considered a ward of that state?

It’s difficult because if your niece is a ward of the state, technically the state/case worker is the legal guardian. If you feel that this continues to happen and the case worker is not doing anything about it you may want to speak with her supervisor about your concerns. It can sometimes be difficult to find a placement that is going to be lockdown, most places that are lockdown facilities are mental health facilities or detention centers. Have you looked into any other centers in the area that you think may be more appropriate for her? Perhaps calling your local juvenile justice agency would elicit some more options?

All of your concerns are completely understandable and it must be difficult feeling like you are the only one dealing with the situation. If you ever decided that you may want to look for some further resources in regards to places she may be able to stay that is certainly something we could help with. Here at the National Runaway Switchboard we are available to help 24 hours a day. We are a completely confidential hotline and while we are here to listen and provide support, we can also discuss options and even find specific resources in your area. If you want to discuss your situation more in depth please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929). There is always someone here to listen. Take care.

[Guest]

Re: running while in foster care

Your niece sounds alot like I was. iIt is possible she might just be trying to figure herself out. I ran away and was gone for 3 months before I contacted anyone. If she hasn't come back within a month you might want to look in to filing a complaint with the person over the case workers head. Also look into taking out a missing persons report, but chances are she'll come home soon. Good luck.

[ccsmod0]

Re: running while in foster care

Hi, thanks so much for replying to the National Runaway Switchboard. We appreciate hearing your feedback. We also appreciate your support in spreading the work about 1-800-RUNAWAY. It sounds like you also went through a tough time in your life. It must have been difficult for you. If you ever need help please call us here at the National Runaway Switchboard. We are confidential and anonymous and 24/7. Good luck to you.