[kalli007]

Hello all -

I have been lurking the forums at adoption.com for several years now, researching all aspects of adoption. I am interested in foster care right now and have a few questions regarding Texas requirements. I have read the basic requirements on the Texas DPRS website, however my questions are not addressed.

-First some basic in of about me and my life.
-27 year old college graduate, full time employment, also in the 1st year of Graduate School.

-Not married, have been in a stable relationship for 5 years now - herein lies my questions... I am in a committed, same sex relationship - will this have any bearing on my desire to foster? We co habitated for 4 years, are currently living in 2 different cities due to job transfer however she is planning in joining me here after the summer.

Does the Texas DPRS question your orientation? We are 2 extremely normal, square people in a normal, stable, and committed relationship. She has one child who will be graduating HS this May and going on to college.

Thanks for your help and support!

[TxMom65]

I wish I knew the answer to this for sure. I know that when we recently went through the certification process, we were asked asked about past relationships, ect. I do think you would be asked and I do know that anyone you are living with would have to have a background check and interview as well.

I don't think it can be held against you though. At least I hope not! Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you.

[crikkit]

It might depend on what agency you are using to get your license. I foster through a private agency, and I believe there are gay and lesbian foster parents with our agency. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the private agencies that are affiliated with churches ban same-sex partners from fostering through their organizations. I don't think it would be a problem if you were licensed through CPS or a secular private agency though. What city are you in/near?

[jllambert]

Not sure if this really helps, but when we went through our Pride class there was a same sex couple in the class! So I assumed that same sex couples are not a problem!
I don't know what happened with them after the class so I don't know if they ever fostered or adopted, but meybe knowing that will help a little!

[zoeymnstr]

I saw a few same sex couples in my information meeting and they didnt turn them away at the door. There are too may children who need fostering out there for anything to get in the way of that. I think that if your heart tells you to do this, then do it. There may be some agencies that aren't open to it but there are probably a ton who have no problem with it. You don't even have to go through a private agency. CPS places children in foster care as well. We are just beginning the process but I do feel it takes someone special to do this. Good luck to you!

[greenrobin]

We're with a private agency. We also had a same sex couple in our Pride class. Our home development worker told us that it was the policy of our agency to NOT license unmarried couples in general. This allows them to exclude same sex couples. The guys took the Pride training, but didn't get licensed by the agency. I don't know what CPS rules are about this, but I'd check it out before I sat through the hours.