[fcmom00]

Hi All,
Ok todays the big day. We found out we are getting a 3 1/2 yr old boy and a 7 yr old girl. We meet with all the counselors and foster parents to discuss the childrens history (medical, bio parents) What there needs are and where their at physically and mentally. I have sort of a list of questions, but I don't want to miss anything. Can you all help and give me ideas on what kind of questions to ask? I'm sure the staff will tell me the obvious.
Like their history on med,and b-parents etc....
I was told I have to wait a 24 hr waiting period after the meeting which of course will be Monday before I can give them a ok that I really want the children and then I can start seeing them..I leave todayat 1:30 Phx time so this is urgent.
Carol

[BrandyHagz]

Are they legally free or will they still have birhtparent visits?

If they are still having birthparent visits, then you should find out how that will work, who's driving, meeting places and such.

[ChrisO238]

Although I've not gotten a call yet for a placement I've already got a list of questions to ask. There is a great wesbite that has a list of questions you can use. It's www.fosterparents.com. You'll find the list under the articles section. It's entitled placement questions. I'd write them all out for you but it would take forever. Hope this helps! Congrats on your placement!

Christy

[BrandyHagz]

Great resource Chris! I've copied the information below so other users can view it!

1. Name, sex, age?
2. Reason for placement?
3.Previous placements?

a. Reason for removal?
b. Ask to speak/phone to previous care provider
c. Has the child made any allegations against previous foster parents/group home?


4. Reimbursement rate?


5. Visitation?


a. Who?
b. Where?
c. Monitored?


6. Child's medical history and current medical needs:

a. Medical diagnosis?
b. Psychological diagnosis?
c. Current medication?
d. neurological diagnosis
e. Dental?

7. Siblings?


8. Developmental level?


9. Is the child in therapy?


a. where?
b. how often?
c. transportation?

10. School last attended? Grade?

a. Learning disorders?
b. Special Education?
c. IEP?

11. Known or suspected dangerous propensities

a. Gang affiliations?
b. Fire setter?
c. Liar?
d. Sexually acting out?
e. Steals?

12. Legal status?
13. Anticipated length of placement?
14. Is religion a concern?
15. Does child have any unusual habits? Likes? Dislikes?

**NOTE: When arranging for the placement or replacement of a child and on an ongoing basis, the CSW is required by statute (CDSS MPP 31-405.1 (n) and (o) to provide the caregiver with information as available regarding but limited to:


1. Educational
2. Medical
3. Placement
4. Family
5. Behavioral

[fcmom00]

Wow,
Thanks this will really help. I do know bits & pieces of things but this will be a great help. That's really a great web site. I'm license to Adopt through the state but the case worker is sending in the foster paper work today. I had thought it was already sent in but she had one last paper for us to sign. So I don't think I get any reimburstement money in the begining. I'm really very new to all this so any suggestions or advice would be great.
I do know that the children are legally free. I'm not sure of any visitation rights any aunt or uncle or grandparents may have.
I heard that the foster mom should be there at the meeting and she is suppose to bring pictures.
I'll respond back later today after our meeting
Thanks again
Carol

[DianeS]

fcmom00 - DO NOT FALL FOR THAT TRICK!

If the worker neglected a piece of paper, then she should be responsible for it. If she wants to place children with you, then she should be responsible for it.

Be perfectly clear from this minute - you will not take these children without the guarantee of subsidy payments from the beginning. No ifs, ands, or buts. Do not even meet the children until you have, in writing, assurance that subsidy will be provided in spite of the paperwork mistake.

This is your first placement. You're new at this. She knows it! If you show you're willing to take the brunt of someone else's mistake, then you'll be taking it forever.

Now is the time to threaten (and mean it) that you will not take the children if subsidy isn't provided from the first day. What are you going to do, let the lack of subsidy be OK for a week, a month, two months, four months - and then tell the worker to get the subsidy going or remove the kids?

Trust me, your emotions will get involved quickly. Stand your ground about the subsidy issue NOW or you won't be able to later. Do not trust a worker who has already "forgotten" paperwork. Trust me, it'll be amazing how quickly your paperwork gets pushed through (or how unnecessary it actually is) once they realize you mean it.

[fcmom00]

I'm adopting the kids. So when I spoke to the case worker and asked will I be fostering them first she said that they are legally free so I don't need my license to have them but I won't get subsidy untill I get licensed. So do I still push and wait for subsidy even though I'm adopting them?
Carol

[Anigel]

Here in Florida some children are available for subsity even after they are adopted. In fact all children placed through my agency get medicaid and subsity, before, after, and during finialization.

You could even be sauve about it. "I've heard some children continue to recieve subsity after adoption..."

Diane is right, if you let it slide now, when will you ever see the money?

It's not about wanting or loving the child. It's about what the state says. If the state says each child gets money. You should use it.

Oh one last little loophole. Also in FL we don't have to meet any income requirements. Look into this.

[fcmom00]

Hi
Well, the meeting lasted about 2 hours. There was a lot of info and a lot to take in. I guess that's why they give you a 24hr period to take it all in before you make a decision. 90% of it we already knew it just took longer because it was all down on paper. The little boy is ddd so the ddd worker was really nice and sounded like she was really going to help us get what we needed for the boy. The adoption supervisor for the adoption was also very nice. The cps foster care worker was nice enough but several of the case workers mention that he was very unorganized and not very workable. He will only have the case for a month and then they will hand it over to another worker.
The cps worker didn't have pictures and he didn't have the foster parent there so we didn't get a lot of info that was real up to date. Most of the info was 6 months to a year old. So most of the info was given prior to the meeting from our foster/adopt agency.
The ddd worker is going to try hard for our first visit to be this coming monday afternoon so I'm really looking forward to that.
When we went to have our meeting it was so sad. Their was a bio parent there visiting their child and she was saying good bye to her daughter and the little girl started screaming and then the biomom started to cry. Boy I even got choked up.
It was just a very sad seen.
They said we should try to visit everyday for the first week. Second week we still see them everyday but take them out on outing for a couple hours each time see how it goes and slip in an over night once in a while. They said we should be license by that time ( The supervisor said she would push to hurry things a long.) Our case worker said our supervisor must like us because she was really bending over backwards to help us out. So I guess that's a good thing ( we need people like that on our side)
Thanks again for the list it came in handy
carol

[bumpkin]

Carol - That all sounds like good news.

Can you talk to the current foster parents by phone? talk withtheir pediatrician or therapist? Other's will have experience in this area, (I'm just waiting myself) but it seems like operating off of info that is 6 mos - 1 year old isn't sufficient. At least in our MAPP class they said we could talk to anyone and everyone involved before making a decision. Then again, maybe that's one of those things they teach you in class but doesn't really happen

Congratulations again, you must be sooo excited.

Bumpkin