So lately i have had a lot of people in my life had the Foster Care people come out to look at there house. I was wandering what they have to look for and expected. So here is the process.
Step 1 - Make an informed decision about fostering/adopting. Contact us at FACC! We are more than happy to help through the process.
Step 2 - Complete an application
Step 3 - Complete a criminal background and safety check
Step 4 - Schedule an initial home visit. Someone will check your home for adequate space and safety (i.e., do your smoke alarms work?) Don’t panic. No one will give you the white glove test!
Step 5 - Attend STARS/PRIDE* training. This is 9-12 week course designed to help you learn about the kids and the foster care system. Classes meet once a week.
Step 6 - Meet with a Family Development Specialist for 3-4 home visits during STARS/PRIDE to create your home study.
Step 7 - Complete medical, personal and employment references while you finish STARS/PRIDE.
Step 8 - Complete home study and put together an adoptive family life book
Step 9 - Become a licensed foster parent or approved adoptive parent
Step 10 - Welcome a child into your home!
* STARS is the Missouri foster adopt curriculum. PRIDE is the Illinois curriculum.
I also wonder whom is eligible, so this is MO says...
21 years old
Free of child abuse or criminal history
Married or Single
Employed or have adequate income
With or without birth children
Able to accommodate additional children in your home
Willing to attend a 9-12 week training program
Willing to participate in a home study
Willing to provide personal, employer and medical references
Complete a financial form
here is some Q&A
Q: What if my adopted child's birth parents change their minds? Can I lose a child I've come to love because the adoption falls apart?
A: No. In the state child welfare system, children do not become eligible for adoption until the rights of their birth parents to raise them have been permanently terminated by a judge.
Q: Aren't many of these abused or neglected children hardened, difficult and unruly?
A: Many of the children available for adoption through the state child welfare system have endured very serious trauma in their young lives. Nearly half of all foster children have special needs, meaning they are either developmentally delayed, physically disabled or suffer mental or emotional disabilities.
But these are often the children who have the greatest need for a loving, stable and nurturing home. That's why the adoption process focuses so heavily on building trust among prospective parents and the children they wish to adopt -- and in ensuring expectations are realistic for everyone involved.
Through the state, all adoptive parents receive training on the dynamics of abuse and neglect, and they have the opportunity to meet with other adoptive parents to learn what they may experience.
Q: Isn't it expensive to adopt children?
A: Though a private adoption can cost $20,000 or more, almost all of the expenses in a public adoption are borne by the state, including court and attorney fees.
Q: How can I afford to raise someone else's child?
A: Parents who adopt children from foster care are eligible for programs designed to ease the financial burden.
Healthcare coverage up to 21st b-day—policy link below:
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/info/memos/2007/cd0734.pdf
Missouri provides foster children a college tuition waiver available up to $5,000 And parents may receive financial assistance from the state, depending on the severity of their child's needs.
So if u r thinking of Fostering or Adopting please get all the facts and ask lots of questions.
PS. i got this info at http://www.foster-adopt.org/Default.aspx
I hope to adopted someday and i think that everyone one should think about it if the can afford it. Have a great day everyone. God Bless those whom are taking care of someone else children!
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