[mbarilla]

We took the Open House seminar and signed permission for our background check. This was last Wed. We were told within a week that someone, I'm assuming our caseworker, would call us and set up the next step. It is Monday and we haven't heard yet which is fine, but we are wondering what is the next step? The home study or PRIDE classes? Either way, we wanted to start preparing our house now for the home study. What types of things should we do? We live in CT so anyone familiar with the area would also be helpful. I read somewhere that cleaners etc...needed to be up high and locked. Can they be under your sink with a child lock? Is that not good enough anymore? Any list of things to think about and work on would be great. Thanks!

[gwenrenee007]

There will probably be a mountain of paperwork to complete - think about who you want to use as references.

As far as the house it will depend on what age group...I think I read you wanted young, under 3, so I would baby proof the house with things like socket covers, locks on cabinets, putting knives up high, and medications out of reach. We had to have a carbon monoxide sensor by our bedrooms and by the furnace, we made sure all of our smoke detectors were in working order (we have A LOT of them!) We also had to have a smoke detector by the furnace. We had to have a room designated for the child's room.

ETA: Every state has different regulations we are in Michigan.
Good luck and have fun preparing your house!

[Larue]

In our case, we worked through a private agency that places children for the State. They didn't schedule the home study interviews and home inspection until after we finished our PRIDE classes. The reasoning was that some people end up dropping out after they take some of the classes, and they don't want to spend the resources unless they know the family is in it for the long haul. As Gwen mentioned, getting ready for your home inspection would be a good one. One of the paperwork items that we found "challenging" and a bit time consuming was writing our autobiographies. If you can get the criteria on your autobiographies from your CW, I would get that one out of the way. Also if you have pets, make sure they’re up to date on their vaccinations. Make sure you have certified copies of your birth certificates, marriage license, and any divorce decrees. And if not, go ahead and order them. In our State, we had to take a CPR and first aid class as well. So if you need to do that, sign yourselves up. Also talk to your CW about getting fingerprinted and getting the process started for your background checks. It can take quite awhile for fingerprints to clear, and that is often one of the things that holds up the process. You can start gathering the documents you will need. Copies of your health insurance, car insurance, tax records. In our case we had to have a written fire evacuation plan. I took a blueprint of our house from the builder and modified it to show were all of our smoke alarms, carbon dioxide alarms, and fire extinguishers were. We live in a 2 story hours so we also purchased a fire ladder and indicated the location where we store it on the plan. I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head.

Good luck and best wishes in your journey!

[mbarilla]

Wow...thanks so much!

[Larue]

Thought of a couple of other things. To get the jump start on your home inspection, you might want to ask your CW for a copy of the regulation with the licensing requirements for a foster home in your State. We got this document, which is like a 1,000 pages , and went through it and checked off the items as we got them done. A lot of the requirements vary by State, like how medicines or cleaning supplies have to be secured. How many fire extinguishers you need, if you need a carbon monoxide alarm, etc. Also depending on what age you're going for, you may want to "baby proof" your home. We're licensed for 0 - 4 years old, so we installed outlet protectors, baby gates on the stairs, etc.

Good luck!

[AlexzandersMom]

Here in WI,
Smoke alarm in each room and near stairs
Fire exstinguiser near the kitchen.
Copy of Home owners/Renters insurance
Copy of Auto insurance
Fire evacuation plan
References
Marriage certificate
military service discharge papers
vet records for pets
And each person had to have a physical, and have their doc fill out a peice of paper
I am pretty sure that's it, but there could be more.

[mbarilla]

Ok...head officially spinning

[cecegarrett]

If you can get the paperwork done.. that's a HUGE part of the legwork done.

Ask for all your forms and you autobiography/inventory questions. The autobiography took us the longest.

Also, get the forms for your physical and TB tests.

Get your references together ( most places have a boiler plate form)

Fingerprinting can be done now too.

Vet records if you have any pets.

The only form I would wait on until you have done at least most of your classes is the form where you state what special needs and ages you are willing to accept. You will learn about so many variables and you don't want to close a door that in hindsight you may want open.. or vice versa. Some people feel led to care for more profoundly disabled kids and some learn about RAD and run for the hills. You will learn a ton in classes.. and you should feel free to ask any questions during the classes as you want.

The home visits are way less stressful than you would think... just basic safety needs.. most of which are already in place.

[AlexzandersMom]

It is alot but with my worker, she just gives me a little to do at a time. The first time she gave me a list of what had to be done and we just discussed how the process would work. The visit today she gave me the adoption application (I am also working on my adoption stuff while doing the foster care stuff), had me sign a bunch of stuff, told me where to go to get fingerprinted, and gave me the papers I will have to get filled out by the doc for our physicals.
So it's not everything at once. Next visit we start interviewing and probably some more paperwork.

[DannieAS]

Hey there,

Did they give you a checklist with your application by any chance? if you don't see a checklist can you call someone and get one? It's the best way to prepare. My checklist was huge, it was one page front and back...

with cleaners I'd say better safe than sorry....I put mine high and in the garage (of course I do have an immaculate garage with shelves and cabinets thanks to my mom's zany need to make sure my garage is neat LOL) with a high lock on the door inside the house that goes into the garage. That was acceptable for my state/county.

As for order, I've learned through reading here that each state/county/DSS/CPS/agency will do things differently. I had my initial interview first, classes, home inspection during my classes, then assigned a caseworker and homestudied. Some states have the home inspection as part of the homestudy...mine was two seperate departments...one for inspection only, one for homestudy only.

Don't get overwhelmed....just follow the steps, work on paperwork one step at a time, and voila...it will be done.

[mbarilla]

Ok so I guess my first step would be to call the office to get a case worker. I haven't heard anything yet and so I browsed the DCF website and found some paperwork that looks like it might be what the social workers use to rate a family, so I can fread and do off that until I get something in hand. Thanks again for all of your help!

[Shananigans]

I'm in CT too. We had a social worker come before classes started and she told us when classes were being offered.

Our classes started July 15th, and we got our license yesterday.

Enjoy the classes - we really loved them!

[mbarilla]

Shananigans...you and I should chat! I have not found anyone on here from CT!!

[cottonlily]

Well we did our meeting in September. In October we've done medical exams, fingerprints and our training. We were told on the 17th someone would be calling within 2 weeks but no call so far. I'm kinda preparing for this like building a house - nothing is going to be done on time! I feel like if I'm prepared for it to move at a snail's pace I can only be impressed if it doesn't! And, honestly, it's important so I'm not rushing it at all. There were people at our meeting who wanted to turn their paperwork in that night! Of course, the workers wouldn't accept it so soon.

Anyway, as far as inspections I'm sure they are different in every state. But I do have the handouts they gave us (SC DHEC). I'll be glad fax or scan and email them for you if you want. The highlights are:

- current rabies vacc for all pets
- hot water heater must be set at less than 120 degrees
- all medicines/chemicals must be out of reach or locked up
- all guns must have a trigger lock (and out of reach of course)
- smoke detectors in child's bedroom and area leading to room (e.g. hallway)

Our water, microwave, garbage service, paint and refrigerator will also be tested.

[Crawfish39]

We are in CT. Been licensed for almost a year now. Placed with a newborn Jan, 2009. Adoption should be final Jan, 2010.

As far a licensing, we did the open house then paperwork, etc. I believe the SW came out before our Pride classes. We did 3 Saturdays from 9-4 in May into June last year. Were licensed by the end of Nov. Could've been sooner, but stalled on the paperwork for the summer.

PM me and we can chat.

M