Foster Parents

Question: Foster parents...? Does anyone know how to become foster parents in South Carolina? We have befriended a 14 year old girl that started out being friends with my daughter. She was in foster care for 1 1/2 years and just came back to her mom this past August.The reason they were taken was the abuse from the stepfather. Their mother could have had them back in 45 days,but it took her over a year to leave him. She has been told that if she had any contact with him,her kids could be taken for good. I recently found out that she has been seeing her ex-husband. She has even gotten the 14 year old to call him,so no one would know what was going on. Anyway I don't want this girl to have to go strangers ,so I want to become a foster parent before she is taken away.

Answer: Children's services is where you start. Here in AL it's called the Department of Human Resources, but it could be CPS, DE FAX, DHS... just check your local listings. It isn't a quick process, though... here it takes approx. 8 weeks to complete the classes, but you also have to undergo a back ground check and home study and that takes some time. If you have any kind of relationship with this child's parents at all they could give your name as a "safety plan" when the kids are picked up. That way she could live with you until you are certified, but you wouldn't be subsidized in anyway. It is a really tough job, be sure you know what you're asking for.

Question: foster parents? does anyone know if foster parents claim there foster kids on their taxes or what ?

Answer: My tax person told us that if we claim them as dependents we also have to claim the payments as income and that we are better off not claiming them. You should definitely ask your tax person. Good luck.

Question: Foster Parents...? If a person (or couple) is a full-time stay at home foster parent, can they use the money given to them by the state for health insurance for themselves? (the foster parent) If not, how does a stay-at-home foster parent afford health insurance?

Answer: Foster parents can use the funding for ANYTHING they want, so long as the child is properly cared for.

Question: If foster parents put the handicapped children in a day center for 12 hours a day do they deserve to be paid? Just heard about a center that takes only handicapped children. Most are from foster homes. The state pays the foster parents and the center. Shouldn't the 'parents' get 1/2 pay?

Answer: It depends. If the parents are at work, then no. Everyone has to have child care. However, if they're not working, then I think they do need to have their pay prorated somehow. Do you know exactly how much they get and how it's spent? If you do, take this up with your state legislature.

Question: How much are foster parents paid in pennsylvania? I am not looking for answers that say "it depends on the state" If anyone knows specifically how much foster parents are paid per child in Pennsylvania- then that's what I am looking for. Just a note- I am not looking at this as an income but rather because I do not make very much but would love to have one foster child and perhaps adopt him or her later but right now do not make much money. Will people please stop telling me to not foster for income. I plainly stated that this was NOT my intention. I am 22 years old and I want to foster a kid because I love kids especially troubled ones. However, I just wanted to know what the supplement is because I can just afford myself right now and wanted to see if the supplement would pay for the child's needs. I have no intention on making money from this. Thank you.

Answer: Your getting into it for the wrong reason. To supplement your income is not a reason to take in a kid.

Question: What was the name of the movie where two foster parents adopt a baby and his sister? Eventually, in the movie, the sister is sent to an orphanage, but the foster parents keep the baby. In the end, however, the foster parents go back to the orphanage and take the sister back. It was a black and white movie.

Answer: http://adoption.about.com/od/adoptfostercaremovies/Adoption_Foster_Care_Movies_TV.htm

Question: How could my friends parents petiton to be my foster parents? After I get child services involved and everything, how do my friends parents petition to be my foster parents? How do they do it and how does it all work out?

Answer: It starts with them wanting to. Ask yourself these questions? Why should they? What do you bring to their table? If you become a person they want to accept as their foster child, the rest will take care of itself. Trust me.

Question: How do i convince my parents to become foster parents? When i was seven, they tried to become foster parents but it didnt work out. I just found this out and now i am really disappointed. I love kids and i really want this to work for us! please help and help me with ways to bring it up to them.

Answer: you should give them some gifts or make them surprise parties....parents love this things.

Question: Can a military family living on post be foster parents? We are talking about becoming foster parents, but not sure if we would qualify. We are stationed in Alaska and we have 3 kids of our own. My husband's rank is E6. We live in military housing.

Answer: yes you definetly can. and actually its great if you do, you would probably get military children. We need more on bases so that the children can stay in their normal schools. I am a foster parent here in KY on our base. We are unique in that we are the only base that has a separate foster care from the state. We are able to keep the children on base. There isn't as much schooling, but we still do the background check, and homestudy. But I will be getting state certified soon. We get paid the same as the state. But we only get military children on base. But in your case you would be state certified and could take any child in your area. I'm sure you would get military children first. The difference is I can not adopt the child and it is only temporary. When it its a certain time they go to the state. We do everything to avoid that of course. That is why we get state certified as well so that they don't go anywhere. I in fact just did respite care for 4 days. ( I was a stand in foster family, the other family had to go somewhere, the foster child had court and therapy, she could not go with her foster family) I highly suggest looking into it. We need more loving people on military bases.

Question: Do foster parents have to account for how they spend the money they receive for fostering? I adopted my son from foster care, but I must admit, I am a bit ignorant of the process regarding foster parents themselves. I know foster parents receive money, however, is the money for themselves... or is it specifically supposed to be for the child: food, clothes, etc. If it's for the children, then do they/should they have to account for every penny spent to ensure that the children are getting what they need? I would think that would weed out the takers.

Answer: Hi Kazi, There is not a system that requires people to account for "how" they spend the foster care money. The money is supposed to be utilized for shelter, food, utilities, clothing, toys, etc that would be part of the "family" and being a member of that family. Some states have clothing allowances every 3 months and some have allowances for kids to get things like camp, school rings, prom dresses, etc. Some have allowances for holidays, as well. In some cases, you have to apply for those "extra" allowances. Now, after living in several foster homes that I KNOW did not use the money appropriately, I am convinced that their should be some checking done. Some simple things are: 1) Ask the foster child if they are getting enough to eat. What they are eating. 3 meals a day? snacks? Food is often a good indicator if their are money problems. Remember though, that most foster kids are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. But when not in school, what and how are they eating? 2) Ask about clothes and make notes about appearance when the workers "show-up" for their monthly visit. Are clothes too small, dirty, wore-out. Look in their closet or dresser. Do they have several outfits? or just a few? What about underwear? Are there several pairs of underwear? Kids grow quick.... 3) Ask about toiletries. Do the kids have deodradant, shampoo, soap, etc. When people don't have enough money, these things become a second thought and the kids might not have any. While this does not indicate that the money is being spent appropriately, these things are indicators that finances might be a problem......and that perhaps (a) the foster parents are not using the money correctly or (b) the foster parents don't have enough money to provide in general and should be dismissed as foster parents.

Question: What is it called when foster parents sabatoge the home placement for a child, by causing problems? I was wanting information on a situation.....when a foster mom that could be sabatoging a reunification with the baby and parents. She could be possibly causing baby harm, just to say mom and dad did it. What is this called and where can I find information on it at??

Answer: If you give away a child or do something that caused it to be put in the system you are lucky to have a foster parent that cares enough to fight the case. Do you have any proof of any harm? If you have proof, you need to get a lawyer and push it in court. If you don't have a lawyer and you lost your child in the first place you have no chance, with a lawyer you may have one depending on what you did and how you've cleaned up your life.

Question: Can Foster parents get rid of the kids clothes? My kids are in foster care. We gave them quite a few clothes for our kids. Some of them they got from christmas and my daughter got new clothes for her birthday in Feburary. The fostermom told me that she out grew all of the clothes. So I asked her over a month ago for the clothes back. I give them to a friends of mine kid because they can't afford clothes. I asked her again today and she said she gave them all to the church. I ask her for my sons clothes, I like to keep their clothes for the first year for when they have kids, she got rid of his also. My question is, Are they allowed to get rid of my kids clothes without my permission? I don't know a lot about foster parents, but any kind of advice of what they do would be nice.

Answer: Please ask the CPS caseworker your question. Also, please let the caseworker know, and the foster parent, know, that from now on, any and all clothes that your children outgrow, are immediately to go back to you, for you to give to your friend, etc. You paid for the clothes, it is your decision as to where the outgrown clothes should go. Take care.

Question: I want to foster dogs but I'm only sixteen, how do I go about convincing my parents? I know, I know.. it sounds immature but I guess you need to hear me out first. I love dogs, I want to have a career working with them. I think fostering is a way for me to get more involved now, and help me learn to properly socialize them. I have a dog already, a puggle who's four months old. He's my baby I swear, I take him everywhere with me and work on his training twice daily. He gets three walks a day. I think I would be a great foster parent but I need to convince my parents to let me. Can you guys give me basic information about fostering, tell me if you think I'm right for it, and give me advice on how to convince my parents. I have a job, and I have a license.. I could do everything without them except sign the paperwork.

Answer: You sound like you are responsible, but don't get over your head. Your 16 and when I was 16, I was too busy going to school, going to work, and socializing to ever have enough time for a bunch of dogs. I barely had time for the pets I already owned.....let alone a bunch of foster dogs. Make sure you truly have the time to be commited. Plus, what about college, you sound smart and college is right around the corner for you I'm sure. Who's supposed to take care of all the foster dog's while your in college? And don't be so sure you can find good homes for all of them, before you start. Finding good lifetime homes for pets is harder than you think!! I'm not saying not to do it, but plz take everything into consideration, and realize there is a big difference in owning 1 dog and caring for however many you are planning to care for. Plus it can get expensive, I'm sure you only work a part time job, and vet bills are so expensive!! How are you going to afford vet bills for all these dogs? Keep in mind rescued dogs are usually in need of medical attention, grooming, flea preventative, de-worming, etc. Hope this helps!

Question: How can we get licensed to be FOSTER PARENTS in ELY NEVADA? My husband and I have been foster parents in Arizona for a few years now, but are moving to Ely Nevada. What agency covers this area? Any contact information would be great! Thanks, Sarah Isn't it amazing how people can be rude to you when they don't have to see your face. . . The point is I don't have the contact information myself. I haven't yet moved, and can't find info online, so anyone that has HELPFUL information should respond. Others who just want to mouth off should not. Thanks everyone else!

Answer: Get that contact info yourself if you are actually serious...you can go to your local governments website and they will have lists of ffoster homes and info. Geez.

Question: How do I find my foster parents? I'm looking for my foster parents. I have not seen them in over ten years. I'm not exactly sure what her last name is but I dunno. Can anyone help?

Answer: Try contacting a lawyer. I'm sure there are some legal documents somewhere that say their name, and from there you can hire a private investigator to find them.

Question: Can a foster parent get custody of a child if the biological parents are not fit but the agency gives her back We have been a foster parent to this little girl for 5 months. The parents are both slow and the father does drugs and his mother has told us that he plays with himself in front of her, the mother has done perks in the past. The agency is finding the parents fit to take her back, ignoring what our concerns are. The parents fight constantly and got a certificate in anger management but the PSW workers say they both have so much rage in them still, the agency is ignoring this fact. We were asked by the grandparents to please adopt her because she is in such a good home with so much love with us, we would love to but we don't know the procedure. Do you know any rights that we may have as foster parents.

Answer: Foster parents dont have any rights and it's not fair at all. The system is flawed... very flawed... but if they let every foster parent adopt their foster child because they felt the child was better off with them then natural parents would never have a chance to improve their lives and raise their children. I wish I had positive words for you but it really is a bleak situation. Express your feelings and present any facts possible. It may help but ultimately it is the courts decision. It's very hard to have children permanently removed from their parents home. I have cousins who have been bounced back and forth from foster homes to their parents home even though they were beaten, neglected, and sexually abused. My aunt and her hubby (my aunt is borderline mentally retarded and her hubby is slow from drug use) kept getting them back even though they only half assed their requirements to do so. Eventually they were removed but it has taken 2 years. Try to fight it but be ready for heartbreak just in case. Good luck to you and the little girl.

Question: Soon To Be Foster Parents - Somewhat Concerned About False Accusations of Child Molestation? We have heard that this can happen and my wife has a friend through work that had this happen to them. They had cops and CPS at there home multiple times. A scary and humiliating experience from what we've heard. We love kids and want to adopt eventually but this is very concerning. Any advice from foster parents or those with knowledge in the area? Thanks!

Answer: Unfortunately this is a risk that you take. Something I have noticed is the kids that usually make these accusations are the ones that had a past of people sexual crimes commited against them. So I would definitely try to get the full story on the foster child a head of time before having them enter your home. Also something to consider is whether you have additional children, whether you are comfortable with having the foster child around your kids. Some kids are perfectly fine, but some (like all kids) will have anger issues, sexual issues, behavior etc. because of the situations they have been through in the past. I personally have never had any foster kids or adopted but my parents did. So we were around many foster kids, and then eventually just adopted kids. In the end my mom & dad adopted 7 kids (3 families) on top of their kids- I am second oldest. Fostering can be a awesome expereince, but it can also have its risks. I think many times people want the younger kids because they tend to be less drama and less you have to worry about. When the older kids have been through a lot by the time you get them and can easily cause trouble for you if they are unhappy. We unfortunately had a lot of drama with foster children. Some went really well, and some completely backfired and were too much trouble. So its just something you have to be aware of, there are risks, but there are advantages. And what you are doing is a awesome thing! * If you have any other questions you can email me.

Question: Can a biological father sign his right over legally to foster parents without the biological mothers concent? We are foster parents of a 5 yr old who has been in our care since she was 8 mts old - I need to know if the bio dad can sign his rights over to my husband to adopt with the consent of the bio mom so we can still have legal rights to this child we have raise since she was a baby we are the only mommy and daddy she has ever known.

Answer: Yes. My friend (in IL) has a foster boy since birth. His birth father signed over his rights. They fought the birth mom for 2.5 years. She has never seen the boy and has been in and out of jail and on drugs. The courts finally took away all of her rights after a trail. They now have to go to court and apply for adoption. The birth father can sign over his rights to the boy but you two must go to court to adopt him

Question: how long do foster parents receive money for children? I understand that foster parents get money from the government til the child is 18, but even after the parents adopt the child, will they continue to get this money?

Answer: Yes, they will continue to get the same amount of board payment after the adoption---now called an adoption subsidy. They will continue to get the medical also and if there are opther special services the child is receiving special papers will be drawn up so the services continue. The monthly payment would be an average of around $500.00 per month-----this would be for teenagers.

Question: Why did Lily go back to the dumping ground and her sisters stay with their foster parents? I often watch Tracy Beaker Returns, on CBBC, but I think I missed an eposide and Lily has now moved back into the dumping ground, while her younger sisters are staying with their foster parents. Lily is now always upset. Why did she move back to the dumping ground again?

Answer: because Lily wouldn't let the foster parents look after the sisters so she argued with them and the sisters got upset and they were all unhappy so she was moved back to the dumping ground until she will let someone else take care of her sisters. This is in the episode called sisters