[potentialsinglemom]

I am just starting the process to begin the foster to adopt program here in Texas. I will be attending the informational meeting 9/6/08 with a friend who went through the home study and training in another state. She was telling me that I may have to move because I live in a duplex that have no back door. Is this something that I need to be concerned with at this time?

[fpsupporter]

You should be able to contact a local agency, or the state (if they license foster parents) and ask for a list of the requirements for your home. Where I am, there must be at least 2 exits from any living space in the house (meaning bedrooms, living rooms, etc) including doors and windows. There are quite a few requirements about that sort of thing as well as many other safety issues, so you might find it useful to start there and see if your home will meet the qualifications, if so, you can continue the process, and if not, you'll have a chance to consider moving if you really want to do foster care.
Hope that helps, good luck!
Also, remember that if you are not able to do foster care for that reason or any other at this time, there are many, many other ways of helping foster children.

[BethanyB]

I can't imagine that you have to have two door in your home in order to become a foster parent. When I first started out I lived in an apartment building with only one door. Of course every room except for the bathroom had windows. It was a two bedroom apartment and I was approved for three kids!

I would just call and ask but I can't imagine that being a rule. That would rule out so many people who live in apartments or duplexes like you.

[potentialsinglemom]

Thank you. I did not think of counting the windows.

[BethanyB]

Yes, windows count as a means of exit. You just can't have a window air conditioner in a room with only one window.