[KellyBelly]

Hi all, I'm hoping somebody can answer this. I have child in my home that has been with us for five months. Recently her 2 siblings have been put into foster care as well, her siblings are older than her and are telling therapists of some really awful things that have happened to them. Apparently there was prostitution going on in the home, and it is coming to light that these children were physically and sexually abused. Because we were just told that our child was taken from her home due to domestic violence, we did not even consider any of this. Well my concern is that because these children were sexually abused, it is possible for them to have contracted an STD or HIV. Therefore, I would like to know what we as foster parents are allowed to have them tested for. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated!
Kelly

[roxanna425]

In the state of Washington and California, no you are not allowed to have them tested for these things. Their social worker can give you permission to have them tested if you think there's cause. That's the reasoning behind the fact that foster parents take the CPS and **blood borne pathogens** class is that the are supposed to use universal precautions with ALL of their children or, if they do come in contact with blood, should have THEMSELVES tested.

[jen1mac]

We were able to get permission for our fd to be tested for HIV and Hep and we are in the state of WA.

[KellyBelly]

That is good to hear that we could at least have the possibility of getting permission of testing. We had to take universal precautions as part of licensing, but were not required to use them with every child though. However, after this situation, I'm thinking that is very wise advise considering we don't know what all these children have been exposed to!

[Kelly Rae]

We have adopted three children all drug exposed, and all have had a HIV test. We live in California, and I mentioned to the children's sw that I wanted the test done and she got a court order so we could do so. It really wasn't hard to get. Just ask!