[3timesacharm]

Just wanted to let everyone know about the yearly Dept. of Human Services Office of Licensing. There have been many changes since last year and I wanted to pass on what I have found out. I'll list additional things they required this year. Carbon Monoxide detector, mattress protectors on all beds (our inspector checked ALL the beds in the house), dead bolts on exterior doors that are not key operated, fireplaces screens (ours has a screen but she wanted us to purchase an additional screen that sits out from the fireplace), and no extension cords. (We had to put a power strip in our bio kid's room behind their TV while she was here). I was surprised she made us change things on our bio kids room. I thought they were only here for the girls, but I guess I was wrong. She even checked our bedroom for cords and such. She also checked all the girl's medical records, all our auto information, lint in our dryer screen and measurement of our bio boys bedroom. It felt very invasive even in light of the past two years with numerous state people in our house. She seemed somewhat over the top. I guess we are just getting tired of having to jump through every hoop for DYFS and yet they don't seem to do too much for the girls unless we fight for it. Hopefully, this is the last inspection we will have to endure as we hope to finalize before inspection time rolls around again this time next year. Just wanted to pass on the information. Hope this helps someone else.

[tobemoms]

Are you kidding? My inspection is on Tuesday. It looks like Im going to be re-checking everything this weekend.

[Luke+Dawn]

ok, where on earth do I find a mattress protector for a California king size bed??? I have a hard enough time finding sheets that don't cost $100!!!

Deadbolts that don't have keys? I will have to drill a hole in my front door and replace the deadbolt in my back door! oh brother. I thought them asking me to move a ceiling fan was ridiculous!!!

[3timesacharm]

I know. I couldn't believe all the things they asked for. Apparently there are these new regs that went into effect this month. One thing they don't check anymore is for a Dog License for your town. I was told it was no longer required, but they do want the shot records. You also have to make sure you don't have any holes in screens for your windows or doors. They checked that as well.

[tobemoms]

Are you kidding again? Let me get this straight..I have to drill holes in my door and change the deadbolts, get a new door screen, and possibly put in new outlets because my cords dont reach..are they sure they want help fostering these kids or do they want us to be on Extreme Home Makeover?

[leenab]

You can have deadbolts on doors, they just have to be the kind with a key hole on one side, not both.

BOL has always asked for pet vacination records, checked screens and made sure major appliances were plugged directly into the wall or used an appliance rated cord. We have quite a few electronic items that have to be plugged into surge protected rated power cords for safety reasons. We've never had a problem with those.

As for the mattress protectors, they have never checked my bed for one. I always assumed the mattress protector/rubber sheets were only to be on the kids beds. Does your foster child sleep in a california king?

A word of information when our inspector was out this past fall she gave us a list of pets which require permits in NJ. So they're now checking to see if you have permits for various birds and hamsters which require them.

They also check for peeling paint, standing water outside, and condition of your yard. Trash cans both inside and out need to have lids. Anything in the fridge should be covered.

The list goes on and on.

[RandomReality]

Hi. I got my initial license in September 2005 after many of the new regulations went into effect. I am keeping an online journal called Adoption Chronicles, which I hope to turn into a book. Here is some of what I wrote the day of my inspection:

"Today an Inspector interviewed me, examined my apartment and deemed us suitable to take in foster children for the state of New Jersey.
He held a thermometer to my faucet to check the temperature of my hot water. He asked me to elaborate on the "rules of your household." He peered in my closets. After chatting and looking and examining, the Inspector said to me: "Congratulations You are a licensed foster home."
My, my, my. I get a certificate to hang on my wall!
The Inspector was a very nice man -- wearing a crisp white dress shirt and carrying paperwork. (There is always paperwork with DYFS.)
He sat down at my table and said to me right off: "I want to thank you for volunteering to help a child in need. Thank you for doing this."
I was dumbstruck. His words meant so much.
"You are the first person in this whole process to thank me, " I said.
(Not that I am doing this for the thanks, but it is nice to hear.)
He took a tour of my apartment. Considering my place is not that big, it didn't take all that long. He peeked in my fridge; nodded approvingly at my fire extinguisher; tested the batteries in my smoke detector; turned on my faucets; measured the baby's room; measured my room; looked on my back patio and checked out my car.
He was very pleasant. Then came the questions:
* What are the rules in your household?
* How would you discipline a child?
* Tell me a typical menu for all three meals that you would feed a child?
Some stuff I had already decided; some answers I stole from my friends with kids and a few I took from episodes of "Nanny 911."