[momsphotoop]

Are any of you aloowed to leave your foster child with a sitter. My husband and I go out once a month and my mom watches our son in our home for us, she also takes the kids at times to the zoo, park etc. My caseworkers is away this week so I can't call her and ask her about this. I thought I remembered learning in our classes that we may never leave the child with anyone other then a approved person. My mom is going to take the classes if that is the case so she can give us a break. But I thought I would ask on here as well.
Also, my facebook is set to private and only friends and family who I am in contact with are on my page, do you think I can post pics of my son and our foster daughter. I am a photographer so sharing photos is what I do! lol My other freind posts photos of her foster kids on her's as her page is also private. What do you all think????
Thanks!!

[Biblemom]

It depends on which state you are in regarding the babysitter. In Ky I can leave my fc with anyone that I would leave my bio children with. In OH you can only leave them with previously approved caregivers.

As far as facebook goes, no you can not post pictures - at least not in OH or Ky.

[OakShannon]

I would ask your caseworker about Facebook - but be prepared for a "no." We would not have been allowed to, and I think this is generally the case. But I have heard other people say that it was allowed as long as their page was private. Different places can mean slightly different rules.

We could leave our child with a babysitter as long as he/she had a fingerprint clearance and had taken CPR and First Aid. Both of my parents did this so that they could watch my son before he was adopted. They didn't need to take classes. But again, check with your caseworker.

[CaddoRose]

In Texas we can leave the children with a person who has had a background check, for 3 hours, but only in our home. They can not go anywhere with them either. If we want a person to be able to take them somewhere, then they must basically become a foster parent. Bummer!

We can post pics on facebook and send pics to family or anyone who normally sees us with the kids. The rules on pics vary so greatly from state to state.

[carlychan]

In CA, we can leave our foster children with anyone we would leave our bio kids with (basically, anyone WE think it fine). I can't imagine not being able to leave them with anyone not already approved. That would be very difficult!

[mnmomma]

In MN we can use any babysitter to watch foster kids occasionally (as in not daycare), but anyone that would watch the child overnight is required to be fingerprinted. Also the car seat class is required to drive them anywhere.

[coachmur]

In montana i leave my foster kids with anyone i would leave my bio kids with. as far as facebook that would definately be a no.

[bethy724]

Also in TX I don't think a fc can be in a car w/ anybody that is not approved by the agency (they ask for a copy of insurance)

When I fostered for CPS I was told no pictures to anybody (even Christmas cards) can't say I followed that rule.

[SarahBethsMommy]

In AL we can leave the foster children with anyone we would trust our bio children with if it is a once in a while thing. For regular babysitting, the person needs to be fingerprinted and have CPR and all. They do not have to go to the classes, though. My immediate family all got fingerprinted so that we can use them all as babysitters. My mother is the one who keeps the kids the most (while I'm at school in the evenings).

For photos, we are not allowed to show any photo of our foster children online. When I asked about Christmas cards, my caseworker said it would be fine to send to people who already knew Lil Buddy IRL (like church members and family), but not to anyone else.

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by mnmomma

In MN we can use any babysitter to watch foster kids occasionally (as in not daycare), but anyone that would watch the child overnight is required to be fingerprinted. Also the car seat class is required to drive them anywhere.

See now we're in the same state but in my county that would be a huge nono.

Anyone a foster child is left alone with (even for 5 minutes) MUST be at the bare minimum background checked.

[takingtheplunge]

Originally Posted by carlychan

In CA, we can leave our foster children with anyone we would leave our bio kids with (basically, anyone WE think it fine). I can't imagine not being able to leave them with anyone not already approved. That would be very difficult!

I'm in California, and you can only leave a child w/ someone who clas cleared both state and county background screenings (it can be an individual or day care, but they must be cleared).
Exception: if it's infrequently as in the case of running out for am emergency or a monthly date night out. In this case, the "prudent parent law" would apply and you can leave them with anyone, but you have to be able to defend your prudent judgment (good judgement) if something happened to them under their care.

For regularly scheduled care (whether five days a week or once a week schedueld date), if it's regular, you need to plan on using a certified person or get your mom or friend cleared w/ county and state. They shouldn't have to take classes, they just go down and get their prints scanned for criminal record and child abuse index. We had to get our parents done even though they hardley watch her alone.

[birdiebabee]

We asked our boys' cw about facebook and myspace and she was kind of leary at first. Then my husband told her they are set to private and only friends/family can see. She said that should be ok then and not much different then our friends/family seeing them in person. She even said it was ok to put their picture on a giftcard my hubby was getting me for mother's day.

[MPJJJ]

Here in MI, anyone over the age of 18 can babysit. Not sure about the facebook thing, though.

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by takingtheplunge

I'm in California, and you can only leave a child w/ someone who clas cleared both state and county background screenings (it can be an individual or day care, but they must be cleared).
Exception: if it's infrequently as in the case of running out for am emergency or a monthly date night out. In this case, the "prudent parent law" would apply and you can leave them with anyone, but you have to be able to defend your prudent judgment (good judgement) if something happened to them under their care.

For regularly scheduled care (whether five days a week or once a week schedueld date), if it's regular, you need to plan on using a certified person or get your mom or friend cleared w/ county and state. They shouldn't have to take classes, they just go down and get their prints scanned for criminal record and child abuse index. We had to get our parents done even though they hardley watch her alone.

I'm in CA and this is what I heard. As for facebook, my cw said a big fat NO. No internet whatsoever. You can however take professional pictures and send them to friends and family, but no internet.

[momsphotoop]

Thanks everyone!!! I wans't getting the email replies to this so I thought no one answered lol Thanks so much!! I will ask my caseworker about both issues!
Thanks again!!