[NDN]

Can you please tell me what to expect in a homestudy. I am going through my tribe for fost/adopt and they told me that they have the same requirements as the state of Oklahoma, but I can't find out what that is. Also, if there is anything that I should know about the process to make this go more smoothly, please let me know. I am a bit nervous because I have no idea what to expect.

[SashaSue]

NDN,

I'm in Texas and the homestudy is not as bad as everyone seems to think. They just come to your house and speak to you about your family, about your childhood, your views on different things, etc. They look at your house to see if you have enough room for children, if the house is childproofed. They don't usually look in every closet, cabinet, etc. to see if you are a great housekeeper...they just check for basic things like running water, toilet facilities, safety issues. You have to have those plastic wall plug inserts that keep kids from sticking their fingers in electrical outlets, have to have fire alarms in each bedroom, a fire extinguisher, locks on the cabinets which contain household cleaning products, locked boxes for medicine (1 for refrigerated meds and one for just your everyday meds like aspirin, vitamins, etc.).

It was much scarier before she arrived and I was relieved after it was over, but it was no big deal. She also visited me once at work for the second half of the study where we discussed my views on disciplining children, what type of children I was willing to accept, etc.

Relax it's not so bad...Good luck to you.

Sasha

[jwdcreations]

THANKS! I hadn't thought about the locked med cabinets! Gotta get me a couple!

[NDN]

You mentioned locked cabinets for medications. WE use homeopathics, which are non-toxic and have no side-effects of interactions. Do these need to be locked too? Can the vitamins be placed in a high cabinet instead?

Also, is there a problem with using natural remedies for my children? My doctor once warned me against letting DHS know that my children used them.

They want to know where children placed in our care would attend school. I plan to homeschool. Is that a problem?

[SashaSue]

I have high cabinets as well but they insisted that I get 2 boxes that had locks on them. It doesn't matter whether it's prescription or over the counter or natural remedies (never heard anyone from DFS say anything about using or not using natural meds), they just don't want kids to get access to any of it. I saw an episode on a show about miracles where a little girl consumed too many Tylenol that she found and became gravely ill. Fortunately, she survived and is okay...they just don't want to take any chances with kids and meds...

I think I've heard of people homeschooling foster children but you probably would have to have permission from the worker. Sometimes the bio parents will cause problems with anything that we as foster parents do...so always check with the worker...

Good luck to you...

[NDN]

Ok, locking cabinet and new smoke alarm are on my list.

New question: DO I need a fence?

We live on one acre in a rural area. The house is located on the back side of the acre and we set right off of the highway. We do have neighbors a short distance through the trees, that cannot be seen from our property. WE have tried to build a fence, but it wouldn't hold in the sand. Is it going to be a problem that we don't have a fenced yard?

[DiamondzR]

you dont need a fence

[DiamondzR]

In nebraska and Iowa he parents still have their educational rights intact even if they are wards. So homeschooling will be out of the question unless the parents home schooled them before you got them. and then.... still iffy the state can get a judge to order public school if they believe it to be in the best interests of the child. I have seen parents have their kid in reg classes and they refused testing for special education and the state got the court to order it

[Singlemom619]

In california as a foster parent....

You must lock up EVERYTHING - I have to lock up my detergent, dish soap, meds, vitamins, knives, ect... cleaning supplies... anything that a child could drink or use to kill/harm themselves. What I did was put a lock on my garage door and I keep everything in there. The lock must be with a key. I also have a lock box (fire proof from home depot for 20$) in my bathroom, under my sink, and in the hallway. Fingernail polish, polish remover, OTC meds, razor blades are all in there.

Only need to have a fence if you have a pool.

You must get a "permission slip" from a doctor once a child is placed where the Dr. agrees that you can give the child OTC meds (like tylenol ect.) All that takes is one dr. visit, but until that's signed you aren't allowed to give meds.

Educational rights are held by one person that the court appoints - the court must change this. Most of my son's time in the system it was held by the social worker, it was held by bio mom very briefly, also by his CASA worker (volunteer guy) until my son was placed with me - I'm a teacher and they granted be those rights. So whoever has those rights gets to decide what to do with his education - although SW or court could disagree I suppose.

Fire alarm on each floor of the house (some say in each room). Fire extinguisher in the house.

There were a lot of "little things" that needed to be done as well... But I found that they are dependent on what agency you go through... Some places do a DMV check and check your driving record. Some do a car check to make sure your car is safe. Water temps are checked to not get too hot. Only certain kinds and amounts of alcohol (like 1 six-pack of beer - yuck). Some places require homeowners or renters insurance and car insurance.

Again this is in California and as a foster parent - I have the adoption home study coming up and I'm not sure how similar or different it will be... so things vary but it's just an idea

[almi1318]

another home study question...I have read that some areas have restrictions on the type of pets acceptable in the home...is this accurate? if so are cetain dog breeds frowned upon?

[rindava]

state web site and do a general inquiry about state foster care and within 3 days you will get a phone call and a letter explaining things, they do a homevisit before the schedule you for a foster parent class...

I know they do not allow you to smoke in your house or car until the adoption is final....and the adoption sub is less then foster rate, they send out a very clear letter....

so just call or sign up on line

every body else, you have to check with your agency, every place is different and they have to comply with state and their agency rules....some agencies are part of national chains and those chains have national rules they follow...

IN my experience public foster care has the least amount of regulations...

the dog bred things is different between agencies, usually is it pit bulls, dobermans, chows, etc.... any dog bred that is known to turn on children without notice...I have also heard of one that didn't allow some small breds that are known to not like children..

[heartfilledmom]

In Washington = no Rottweilers or Pitbulls. Pets need all shot records as do biological children, if you have them. Our cleaning supplies need to be UP atleast five feet, but not locked. NO HOMESCHOOLING! I thought this was a sad and eliminated certain age groups for us.

[Dianna]

NDN, The worker will tell you what you need to do to pass the homestudy in their area. It is good to go along with what they want. Once the adoption is final there are no restrictions and you can do it your way. It takes from 6 months to 1 year to finalize. Best Wishes.

[FostermomCathie]

This really varies so much, I have a pit bull, have homeschooled a foster boy, and dont have things in a locked cabinet. We have had over 30 kids and no problems or complaints from DHS.

[stevenstwin]

I actually had to laugh about our "childproofing". They gave me a very generic list, which would be the same for any foster parent of any age - but my foster son is 15. So I'm reading down it...need a fire extinguisher (okay, I should really have one anyway)....lock box for medicines (all right ...wouldn't want him hurting himself with my Midol or something) ...knives up on the top shelf. At this point I burst out laughing and she asked why. I said "Okay, I'll put the knives up, but you do realize I'll have to get A. to fetch them down for me since he is nearly 6 feet tall and I can't REACH my top shelf!!!". She laughed and decided that I could probably skip the outlet covers too ;-)