Story
A request is being made in effort to help aide in reunification between biological parents and their son who is in foster care. The parents are working towards reunification with their son and are approved to have full weekend visits. The child is under the Franklin County jurisdiction and is residing in this county with a relative foster parent. The parents are residing about 2 hr. 18 min (142 miles) out of Franklin County. The parents chose to move out of the county due to unhealthy family relationships in this area and a job opportunity for the father. Parents have been able to have weekend visits at least once a month with their son, but the Family Support Team is requesting that they have visits each weekend since we transition him home. An increase in visitation is needed to help with the transition for the child. The parents face financial strains that limit their ability to make it to Franklin County each weekend to get their son. They express a desire to have their son back with them but are faced with financial burdens to make it happen each weekend.
The request of gas cards to help provide some financial relief for the family and allow a child and his parents to spend more frequent time together.
The plan is for the child to be placed on Trial Home Placement with his parents once school ends and summer break begins. Once this happens the parents will no longer need to drive to and from Franklin County on a weekly basis.