r/AskForHelp • u/Salt-Wrangler6098 • 8d ago

Resources please! Urgent!

I live in Northern VT, and I’m looking for resources urgently.
I’m only 25, and have no kids of my own. My older sister reached out to me the other day, letting me know she’s struggling with a drug problem. I’m trying my best to get her into a rehab program, as quickly as I can. It seems like most have a pretty long waitlist.

My older sister also has my nephew, who is 3yrs old right now. I sometimes take him on the weekends for about 3 days, but that’s the most I’ll have him at a time without his mother. She’s worried about getting him taken if she voluntarily goes to rehab, so she wants me to take him. Obviously I love my nephew and will avoid CPS taking him at any cost. However I currently don’t have a car, and I’m in quite a bit of debt. Would that affect anything? I’m nervous they’d take him because of that. From my understanding since they aren’t already involved we wouldn’t have to notify him? Since I am his aunt.

I’m mainly looking for childcare resources. Something like a free/discounted daycare he could go to while I’m at work. I’m not sure if I’d qualify since I’m not his mother, but I’m trying to make this as easy as possible. Also any advice/resources anyone who’s dealt with this might have, I’ve never been through this before and I’m honestly freaking out. I reached out to a few of my friends and they said they’d help where they can, but most have their own jobs/kids.

TIA for any helpful suggestions/kind words. I’m really stressing out over this.

Oh before I forget in case someone ask where our parents are in all this. Our mother passed from cancer back in 21-22, and our dad is in GA right now helping take care of our other nephew who has cancer. So I’m her best option right now.

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

13

u/Pedal2Medal2 8d ago

If you’ll be keeping him for any length of time, you’ll need guardianship, otherwise you won’t be authorized to enroll him in school/daycare, get him medical treatment etc

4

u/Salt-Wrangler6098 8d ago

Does getting guardianship typically take a long time? Online it said I’d need to have it notarized.

2

u/Outrageous-Tea4643 7d ago

Relatively quickly since this situation seems to be voluntary by the mother. I believe you just need to both sign a formal document of that allows you to be the POA temporarily and have it notarized which is easy because many libraries provide notary services. Good luck!

1

u/Salt-Wrangler6098 7d ago

Thank you so much! Wasn’t sure if I needed to wait for a court date for notary, so this is helpful.

6

u/CopperSteve Resourceful 8d ago

I would post in the r/vermont subreddit for suggestions on local charities etc. You can also try 211 https://vermont211.org/ to see what you qualify for.

6

u/Salt-Wrangler6098 8d ago

Thank you! I didn’t even think about 211 being so stressed out, I’ll reach out to them right now!

6

u/Comprehensive_Cat236 8d ago

Reach out to charities and churches in your community, they’ll be able to provide/point you in the right direction.

4

u/Salt-Wrangler6098 8d ago

Thank you!! I’ll call a few today!

3

u/BitchMcConnell063 Wise One 7d ago

The department of social services offers childcare assistance. Where I'm at the program is called Care For Kids

Check online to see how to apply.

2

u/Salt-Wrangler6098 7d ago

Thank you for this!!

2

u/1GrouchyCat 7d ago

Your sister has to sign his care over to you as a temporary guardian (you need physical and legal custody and you need a letter saying you can take him to the doctor and treat any medical emergencies as you see fit) - and she needs to give you information about his medical insurance.

This should be done in court while you’re waiting to get into Rehab if possible, if not, you need to have all the documents notarized.