A life of no more home visits

I feel like I already posted this, but can't find it anywhere, so I must have just talked about it, CRAZY notion. The day before we left to go to Odessa for Easter we finally got a call from Sky's FAD worker. After a year of her refusing to return any of our calls because she misunderstood that when we said it didn't seem like he was ever going to come home, we didn't mean we never wanted him to come home, she finally realized we just meant based on where he has been it seemed unlikely. So, she finally called back and of course blamed our FAD worker on the miscommunication, and who knows where the truth really lies. Either way, some good things developed from the phone call. We got an update on him, which was disheartening, although his FAD worker seemed to think it was hilarious. He has basically become a product of the system, using frequent suicide threats to get out of class work, bed time, a tough roommate situation, what have you. He has made friends with the nurses at the psych hospital and loves to go there, in fact time before last that he was there he hugged the nurses and said "see you soon" and indeed threatened suicide 3 days later to return for what he thinks of as a 72 hour vacation. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to understand the big picture, that he is a teenager now, and the odds of him aging out and being on his own in 5 years with no coping skills are pretty great. And it seems as if no one is really trying to drill that point home. Otherwise, he seems to be getting along with people fairly well, and still hating school. So, in the 2 years since he left, nothing has changed, except that his bi annual trip to the hospital has been upped to at least every 6 weeks. But they aren't worried, they think he has no intention of committing suicide, despite the fact that he has actually attempted it before...I tell ya, I have so little faith in our childcare system. A couple of positive things did come of the phone call and the actions that followed it. We have been granted similar rights to a biological parent. We can't check him out and take him home, but can talk to him whenever we want, visit, send gifts, and call and get updates. Another VERY good thing is that our case has been closed until such a time as it might be likely for him to come home. He can even come for visits if he is deemed ready. So that means no more home visits, fridge inspections, limits on pools, or keeping his room at a constant and depressing state of ready. Not all good news for sure, but nothing new, and way less stress, so it's a mixed bag for sure. Anyway, that's the update, and if anyone wants to send him a card or anything I am happy to send it along for you, just email me for my address, julieconnally@gmail.com.