when parental rights are terminated can their child ask to go back and live with them before they are 18?

[irishrose29]

There are some areas in the US and in Canada that are beginning to become more open-minded surrounding what constitutes "best interest of the child". Not only is DSS charged with safety decisions, but also well-being and permanency. To receive children into care at age 2 & 3 yrs old, at some yrs later to TPR, the charge for DSS became the well-being and permanency part. No doubt this plan was adoption. As these kids are now 12 and 13, all attempts thus far for permanency have fallen WAY short of the mark. What "chance" do these kids have of adoption now? So, while these kids do not have the "right" to make this decision - it is something that they should have the "right" to have explored. What is mom's "state" now, does mom have any family that do not have previous CPS, criminal, etc backgrounds? Sometimes, hard to place or adopt kids are the ones suffering from family separation more than others. Connecting them with family (does not have to mean living with them) can bring a stability into their lives. Continuing to do what has not worked, will have the same results. People do change, circumstances change. The mom neglected or abused the kids for - maybe 2 -3 years (and, I'm not dismissing this), but these kids have now been, at least, neglected since the TPR was finalized. If the mom wants to become involved - she should offer and try.