[AuntyJulie]

We are about to loose our nephew to DSS and need to know what it is going to take to foster him ourselves.
My sister-in-law Lost 3 children to DSS already and no family member was allowed to foster or adopt them, My Fiance and I want to know what we might have to do to keep him ourselves without the mother being involved at all.

[monroeman]

Wow, this sounds like a really heart-wrenching time for you. Sorry you have to go through it.

DSS should be willing to consider your fiance as a placement, but he still has to pass their home study process. Since you two are engaged, and depending on your living situation and MA's laws, you might have to be sreened also. He has to pass a background check looking at any criminal history or any involvement in child abuse. He has to be in good health and have adequate living space and stable employment. He has to have a good child care plan.

An important thing they will look at is his ability to protect the child from the perpetrator of the abuse/neglect. His sister. DSS has to be convinced that this is pretty rock solid, that there will be no contact, or that approved contact will be appropriately supervised.

There are some other issues that they look at, but with a kinship placement these are usually the things that make or break the decision.

I hope things work out right for this little boy.