Power in Stories
“After an angry neighbor called DCFS on Eva, a DCFS worker came to her home. Even though there were no safety issues, the worker told Eva she had to give custody of her two kids to her mother until she was off probation, or else her kids would be placed in foster care with strangers. This went against DCFS rules, but the worker said that parents on probation shouldn’t have custody of their kids. Later, DCFS told Eva’s lawyer that this worker wouldn’t close cases when parents are on probation, even if there were no signs of abuse. Eva didn’t want to give up custody, especially of her newborn, who she was breastfeeding. Eva’s mom also didn’t feel ready to care for two young kids, since she still had young children of her own living in her small apartment. Once Eva got a lawyer, they helped her get her kids back after just a few weeks and close the case. Even though the short separation stopped Eva from breastfeeding her baby, she was thrilled to have her children home again.”
“Porsche already had a restraining order against her children’s father when she called the police after her ex broke into her home and tried to stab her. Sadly, the police didn’t come to help, but they did call DCFS to report the domestic violence. DCFS left several messages for Porsche, but as a former foster youth, she hoped they would stop if she ignored them. After a few weeks, DCFS became more aggressive and left a message saying that if she didn’t call back, they would bring the police, break down her door, and take her children. Porsche reached out to a legal aid lawyer who had helped her before. With the lawyer’s help, Porsche showed DCFS her restraining order, and the lawyer explained why getting a second one wouldn’t help. DCFS agreed to close the case without taking further action.”