[GoddessDanu]

DH and I already went through the classes required but we had signed up through our adoption agency thinking we were going to adopt soon. Well, the adoption has been put on hold due to finances so in the meantime we thought we'd try being foster parents. We'd like to eventually adopt a child from the foster care system so we thought we'd get some experience with foster kids.

I run a licensed daycare so I'm not at all worried about the home inspection or background check. From what I hear it's the same check required for daycare. We don't have a worker yet (I'm going to call this Monday to get signed up with one) so I can't really get any answers to my questions right now. Could someone please help?

1. I have a bedroom that would be used solely for the foster child. Is it ok to have a bathroom attached to the bedroom? DH and I are thinking of starting with babies and I didn't know if it would be an issue to have a bathroom attached as long as it was child-proofed.

2. Since I run a daycare and the foster child would technically take a daycare spot, would I get paid for that spot through the state?

3. Generally is your experience with birth parents good or bad? I'm a little nervous about dealing with an angry birth parent. I could only imagine how I would feel if my child was taken from me but when taking the child for visits, is there security involved or is it just you, the child, and the birth parents?

I live in Oregon if this helps you at all. I really, really appreciate any advice/help you can offer. Thank you!

[potentialsinglemom]

It differs from depending on the state. Here in Texas, you can't run a daycare and foster at the same time.

[CaddoRose]

Originally Posted by potentialsinglemom

It differs from depending on the state. Here in Texas, you can't run a daycare and foster at the same time.

I'm in Texas and not that I run a daycare, but one of fellow trainees did and it wasn't a problem for her. It's even on the Texas fostercare website. You just can't have more than 6 kids.

Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families (TARE)
Under the heading of additional foster requirements.


To the OP: the state will pay you a stipend for a foster child, but it's doubtful that they would also pay an additional amount equal to the cost of daycare since it is in your home.

Bio parents are all kinds of people. Usually if the Case Worker thinks they might be a problem, then you do not have open contact with them. In our case, I take the kids to visits at the CPS office and they supervise. I can get transport for them, but I choose to do that myself. I did meet the parents the first visit and they were fine. I could have arranged it to were I would never come in contact with them. Here. we are not asked to supervise visits. That is all done by the state.

[thelowlanders]

I'm from your state.

Each parent is different. FD's mom is not exactly a good idea to be around. We choose to have visit supervisor come to back door and get her for visits. FS's mom is actually good to get to know and seems to appreciate getting to visit a couple minutes before and after visits. She seems great. But when FS's dad gets out of jail, It will not be a safe idea whatsoever to walk FS in for visits. So....it really varies.

[potentialsinglemom]

Originally Posted by CaddoRose

I'm in Texas and not that I run a daycare, but one of fellow trainees did and it wasn't a problem for her. It's even on the Texas fostercare website. You just can't have more than 6 kids.

Requirements for Foster/Adopt Families (TARE)
Under the heading of additional foster requirements.

We had a daycare owner in our class too...She was told by CPS that she could not do it when she originally started the process. She closed down her home daycare in last June.

[Withay]

1. I have a bedroom that would be used solely for the foster child. Is it ok to have a bathroom attached to the bedroom? DH and I are thinking of starting with babies and I didn't know if it would be an issue to have a bathroom attached as long as it was child-proofed.

I don't know how they will feel about this. You would need to ask your certifier.

2. Since I run a daycare and the foster child would technically take a daycare spot, would I get paid for that spot through the state?

The simple answer is no. They will not pay you for the daycare spot. You would be getting a monthly stipend for the child (currently $399/mo for infants, due to change in April 2009 - new rate is unknown yet) and if the state paid you for the daycare spot it would be the same as double paying, which they would not do.

3. Generally is your experience with birth parents good or bad? I'm a little nervous about dealing with an angry birth parent. I could only imagine how I would feel if my child was taken from me but when taking the child for visits, is there security involved or is it just you, the child, and the birth parents?

Most visits take place at the local DHS office. Each office is a little different in the way they are set up, but every office I've been at has a separate entrance for foster parents bringing a child to visits. If you are uncomfortable meeting the family you can request that there is no contact between you. You can do things a couple different ways.

I have taken the child into the building via the fp entrance and gone to the fp waiting room. I have also had the visit worker meet me at my van and pick the child up there. Either way, I have little contact with the family unless/until I say that it is ok. Always talk with the childs cw to find out if the family is safe to be around.

Good luck.

[SweetyBaby]

I run a home day care in Pennsylvania and a foster child does not count in child care ratio. The only thing I have to worry about is that I can only have 2 infants at one time and 5 total infants and toddlers. A foster child would count as that, but I can still have my 6 day care children in care. I would check on that in your state.