[MrEdd]

Should we condemn her & her children to a lifetime of government meddling for what she might do?

Your source for lifetime duration is...what exactly?

[LongElegantLegs]

From a child services reform group booklet:

(Emphasis is mine)

T R I A L D I S C H A R G E is the most common way for children to be discharged from foster care. During trial discharge, your child is still legally placed in foster care but is living with you. This means that ACS and the foster care agency are still involved and will supervise your home after the children come home. The greatest risk to families during trial discharge is that ACS can remove your child from your home without getting the approval of the judge.

FINAL DISCHARGE means your child is living with you and you have legal custody of your child. Final discharges can be with or without agency supervision.

Sounds nearly impossible to get off the rolls, once you're on.