[Grace22]

I live in New York City and I was wondering if anyone knows anything about kinship foster care. My aunt through marriage is giving birth to twins in Feb and she's been asked if someone from her husbands side would be willing to take the twins when the time comes. She's just had her toddler taken into custody and they want to make preperations for the two soon to be born boys. Her mother is going to be taking her daughter but she's said that she can't handle taking the twins as well and we're more than happy to take them in if it comes to that. I was just wondering if kinship foster care is very different from foster care or if the processes are the same. If anyones been through it, I'd like to hear about your experience.

Would the family member have to attend all of the classes and go the same route to become certified while the child is held in foster care? I'm assuming that since the babies aren't born yet and they're asking the birthmom if one of their relatives will be able to take them that we might be put through a little faster if only to foster those specific children but I can think of a few reasons why I may be wrong. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[spicedmama]

You don't have to have the classes if you are recognized as what the State determines to be "kin." I would encourage you to take the classes because it may assure that you receive potentially needed services for the kids now and/or in the future. They would recognize you as more than "kin," but as Foster Parents and/or Pre-Adoptive Parents. Feel free to send me a private message. I have little relatives from N.Y. with me here in my State, (not N.Y.), so I am familiar with some of their rules.

Peace

[mommytoEli]

i think it depends on what state you are in. in TN, more than half of the people in my PATH class were taking classes in order to get relatives placed in foster care in their homes. we are on the kinship path ourselves in TN, and it is MUCH harder than the kinship route in CA. in CA we took NO classes until it was time to talk adoption,and then we took the adoption classes. but the only things we needed to get him in our home in CA were cleared fingerprints, back ground checks, and a safe home. talk to someone in YOUR state for the best answer. Also, if your aunt lives in another state, there will need to be an icpc, which could also be timely. good for you tryiung to be prepared in advance

[Grace22]

Originally Posted by spicedmama

You don't have to have the classes if you are recognized as what the State determines to be "kin." I would encourage you to take the classes because it may assure that you receive potentially needed services for the kids now and/or in the future. They would recognize you as more than "kin," but as Foster Parents and/or Pre-Adoptive Parents. Feel free to send me a private message. I have little relatives from N.Y. with me here in my State, (not N.Y.), so I am familiar with some of their rules.

Peace

Thank you for the info. I sent you a pm. I'm definitely planning on taking the classes and I have been for ages, even before these children were a possibility for me. My concern was that they're asking my aunt, the birthmom if someone will be able to come for them when they're born. That's in Feb and I was worried that the children would have to go to another foster family while I took the classes.

[Grace22]

Originally Posted by mommytoEli

i think it depends on what state you are in. in TN, more than half of the people in my PATH class were taking classes in order to get relatives placed in foster care in their homes. we are on the kinship path ourselves in TN, and it is MUCH harder than the kinship route in CA. in CA we took NO classes until it was time to talk adoption,and then we took the adoption classes. but the only things we needed to get him in our home in CA were cleared fingerprints, back ground checks, and a safe home. talk to someone in YOUR state for the best answer. Also, if your aunt lives in another state, there will need to be an icpc, which could also be timely. good for you tryiung to be prepared in advance

My aunt had just moved to NY when her daughter was removed from her home so I'm pretty sure that we're clear in that area. The people who I've spoken to in my state have assured me that I'll be able to take the classes while the children are in my care. I'd like to talk to someone in NY about the rest of the process, though. Hopefully one of the foster parents here will have more info. Thank you.

[my3apsons]

I have a few suggestions to make everything go faster.

Call the local department of social services to request the packet that will need to be filled out by you and anyone living within your home over the age of 18.

You will need a physical, finger printing and what have you.

I have had my kinship placement for 2 months and I have not taken classes yet. I start them next month. However, I have also not gotten any payments either.

Good luck.

[TxMom65]

I'm in Tx and we did a kinship placement while in the process of homestudy/classes. I think you would need a background check and fingerprints. AS someone said above, it really depends on your state.