[PlanningtoFosterSOON]

Okay, I checked my states website and I didn't find all of the information I needed, and I am completely lost.
I would like to know if ya'll think I'll be qualified.
I am 54 years old, have one teenage daughter living at home, I live in a new, safe subdivision, it's a four bedroom house, I am not married, I have an in-home daycare (by the way I only care for four children because I was unsure if I could care for six and then keep my foster children at home with me) I would really like to care for newborns to four year olds. I think I have room for two (at least). I do smoke, but outside my home, and I do have dogs, On average I make like $400 a week, because of my daycare and my other in home business. (I really don't want money to be an issue) Do you think I will qualify.
Then afterwards, I live in Louisiana, I was wondering what the average wait time is? I would also like to know what do you have to have on hand and do you go buy things once you find out about the children? Lastly, Do you have to go pick them up or do the social workers bring them to you, I was wondering what time of day they come, I thought it was whenever they needed you. I have no clue and I am not having any luck looking it up online. Please Help.
Any information will help, Thanks!

[o2b30again]

I am in MN but will share our experience up here.

In our county they try to place the younger children in homes that carry a duel license (foster and daycare) That way the county isn't having to locate daycare for the child. They also will pay for the child to attend your daycare because that child is taking up a daycare slot that you could be using to generate income for yourself. Keep in mind all counties don't do this. The county that my children came from does not do this and states that daycare costs are covered in the subsity given (this is crap but I digress)

I don't see your age as a bad thing...crap people are having children at 54 now and the fact that your daughter is a teenager is a plus. Your home sounds like you would have plenty of room for children. Being single should hold no bearing and your finances decent as long as you can pay your bills. Smoking will only be an issue if the children are allergic. Some are even allergic if they just smell it on clothing. I have three dogs and haven't had an issue so far.

My experience with children getting dropped off... One group we did a transition with. The other group we recieved a call at 8am and they were at our home by 2pm that day. If you want all hours then specify yourself as an emergency placement home. You will get calls at all hours but the kids may only stay until they go to relatives, may only be on a 72 hr. hold or staying in the system for a while. Then they would stay with you.

Hope I answered some of your questions. I have learned that fostering is sometimes just a learn as you go situation. It stinks but every county/state are different.

[PlanningtoFosterSOON]

Thanks, it did seem to help!

[Mallynn]

In my state...
your age would not be a problem (my husband is 54 also). Single parents are also not a problem (although with some infants they require you take time off at initial placement-but if that is not possible for you, you can just say no to the placement). Smoking is not a problem as long as you never do it in your home or car while a child is present or within 12 hours of getting a child-even a respite child.
As far as income, they only make sure that you can meet your current needs for your family size (they want to make sure people don't use foster parenting as a means of income). As far as "stuff on hand", they only require a bed and a dresser for each child. Obviously some toys and stuff would be nice, but the bed and bureau are required before you get a placement. As far as clothes and such, you can ask for a purchase order to come with the child so you can purchase some clothes and stuff for them. They sometimes ask you to pick the child up, and sometimes they bring the child to you (I'm not sure what the deciding factor is with that though). They call during business hours for placements unless you are an emergency placement home, then it can be any hour of the day or night. I'm not sure about your other questions (I'm not official yet, but this is what I have learned about how it works in my state).

[Chancey]

I think most PP's have answered most of the questions. I do want to say that in Texas the CW is required to bring the child (for placement) to your home. The Foster parent can not go pick them up at initial placement. This requirement is so that the CW can see your house and the condition of it and the room that the child will be in.

I also think that your age and being single will not be an issue at all. Moreover, having an at home daycare might be a benefit as you will be there for the kiddos all the time.

[greenrobin]

If you are licensed with the state as a daycare, the only issue will be the number of kids you have in your home on a daily basis. If you are not licensed, you might have an issue until you get licensed.

Here in TX we may have 6 under the age of 18. That would include your teen daughter unless she is already 18. I do not know the laws in LA, though. Some states allow up to 8 children.

Again, if your cashflow is positive, there is nothing initially that would be of concern.

[JackieN]

I'll answer as best I can for my state (California):

1) Your age or being single would not be a problem. My parents were 60 when they inquired about becoming foster parents. Although they chose not to follow through, the agency was happy to have them. My sister adopted two children out of foster care as a single parent and I am now in the process of being licensed for fost/adopt as a single woman.

2) As long as your income is enough to support you and your daughter, you'll be fine as far as income is concerned. Your home must be large enough for all children in the house (foster and bio) to have a bedroom. Two children of the same sex may share a room as long as there is no more than a 5 year age difference between them.

3) They don't care if you smoke, inside your home or out. A dog is okay, too, as long as you can prove he has had all shots.

4) If you are straight foster then the children can come to you at any time, day or night, with very little notice. My sister received her foster daughter (who later became her adopted daughter) at 3am with only 30 minutes notice! If you are fost/adopt only (like I will be), then you usually get plenty of notice because you have to go through the matching process, disclosures, and maybe even a few visitations before the child actually moves in.

5) I'm waiting to buy all furniture until I am notified of a match because I won't know what to buy until I know the child's age/sex (I'm signed up for between 0 and 3). I am fost/adopt, though, so like I said above, I will get plenty of notice before a child arrives. With straight fostering, they may require that you already have furniture since the child may come at anytime with no notice.

6) When my sister was fostering, she would usually pick the children up at the CWs office unless it was a middle-of-the-night placement in which case they would be transported to her home.

These are the rules in California, but they may differ in LA. You might try calling some of your local fostering agencies to see if they can answer your questions or sign you up for an orientation session.