How can I help my niece?

[worriedauntie]

My sister does drugs and couch hops with 2 kids (3 & 1 years old). My niece has gone a few times without socks to my mother becaus my sister couldnt find any. My 3 yr. old niece was at a babysitter and the babysitter was changing her diaper and found blisters in the inside of the vaginal area. My 1 yr. old niece doesnt even have health insurance. Even if it so easy to go to the welfare and get health insurance and foodstamps. Why desnt she do it?

When I talked to my 3yr. old niece she asked me if I was going to come and get her and stay with her?. Also when shegoes to the babysitter she always wants to go take a bath when she getsther. Why?

My sister said that her kids are not top priority, she says that she is. Where I think kids should be priorty, or am I wrong?

My main question is what steps can I take to help my nieces or where can I turn to to help my nieces? I am returning to the states round February from Germany and just want to know some info and offices, services of where I can go to help my nieces because I have never had this kind of situation ever in my life because we were not raised like that.

Anyinfo, internet sites or service offices where I can go or write to would be greatly appreciated and helpful.

[tbyte]

Of course the children should be top priority. Any parent who says or acts otherwise is not qualified to raise children.
But getting children away from their mother is a legally difficult task.
Where is the father right now?
How far would you be willing to go to help these children?

[worriedauntie]

The father of the oldest takes her once a week and the father of the youngest just recently left. The father of the oldest cant have custody do to child abuse charges, and drugs. The father of the youngest is also couch hopping and has no steady place to live.
Im willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that my nieces are safe, including taking custody if I have too. My problem is that I dont even know where to go or how to go about it.
Thank you for the reply.

[tbyte]

This would be a daunting process. There would be no getting around the need for an attorney to assist you.

[crazylette05]

If you are really worried and dont know how else to help them,turn her into children services..i know you may not want to but if she isnt taking care of them..your mother could probably do it and get temporary custody until she straightens up or gives them up..if she gives them up you guys being family you would get first options on taking custody of them..

[worriedauntie]

How do I find a child services in that area? I have never done ths before and dont know where to go. Its in Portland Oregon, but i cant find one in the internet like everywhere else in Oregon. Any ideas or links you could send me?

[crazylette05]

You should be able to call information and ask for the number for the cs department in your area..

Try this link and look to the right on the webpage for children services.

State of Oregon: Department of Human Services