[MPJJJ]

We are licensed for one girl, under the age of 4. Today our licensing worker called us about a sibling set of 3. I am confused, would we be able to take in more children than we are licensed for? We do have the room, but only requested one child, so that is why our license says "capacity- one child".

So anyways, an adoptive home is needed for a 4 year old boy, a 3 year old boy, and (possibly) a 4 month old girl. The 4 year old has speech delays (been there done that), and the 3 year old possibly might be autistic, but is very high functioning if he is. I question whether it has more to do with environment, though.

The boys are already TPR'd, and DSS has a court date next month petitioning the TPR of the girl. The grandma has custody of the children because both parents are in jail, but the SW said that she did not and will not pass her homestudy, because she has a 'history'. However, the SW said that the judge could decide to keep the children with the Grandma because she has had them a few years.

I am so confused! She said we should know more in a week or so. I don't know what to think! My DH is totally on board, and says we can make it work.

I am willing to try, but WOW, that is a huge change!

Are we totally insane? Are we hurting our family by doing this? We have 3 bios, their ages are 9, 7, and 5. Also, any answers to the licensing capacity question?

[HappyHopefulMommy]

I think you would be fine. We entered the fost/adopt process wanting 2 under 3. Our license ended up saying 3 under 5. We were placedwith a 3, 5 and 6 yr old. I asked our SW about it since our license says differently and she said it was no big deal. Also since you would be keeping birth order I do not think you would be "hurting" your family. And I don't think you are insane. It is kind of funny how the workers do not seem to pay attention to what we say we want though. I think it sounds like fun - keep us posted. Oh - and I do not think Grandma could keep them with out passing homestudy, even if she has had them for a few years. One of our fost/adopt kids grandma's had a drug history and they would not even consider her.

[CaddoRose]

If she's a good SW then she is looking for a family she believes will be a good fit for those children. The license can always be amended to include the placement of more kids as long as you hvae the required living space. It probably says one child because that's what you asked for.

As long as you think you can handle the addition of 3, then go for it!

[Mystik]

We were only licensed for one child also in the beginning, but when *B* came along we had the space and they simply changed our license for two children. Since that time we've also moved from a 2 to a 3 bedroom and now have space for two more kiddos as well, but at this time we're only open to short term respite and we've never been called for it and they've never changed our license, but I know as long as we have the appropriate beds available they will change it from 2-4 if need ever be.

[MPJJJ]

After we talked to the SW again, we decided against the placement. One of the children is autistic, and we do not feel that we would be able to care for him while still giving our other children the attention that they need and deserve. So, its a no go. But, it was a call!

On a happier note, it helped my DH and I see that we are willing and able to take a sibling group, so my licensing worker has updated our license to accept 4 children, instead of one! That should make getting a placement easier and faster.