Child Protective Services seeks more funding to improve services
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/022609dnmetoverworked.3e181be.html
I stumbled across this article this morning and it was interesting. And it mentions Plano so I had to post it.
26 February 2009
25 February 2009
Next week is the week
Ive spent the last two weeks being a little anxious about having to wait for the agency director to read my home study. I haven't been super busy at work and had a little extra time on my hands, so my house is really really clean!
Since I hadn't heard anything from the agency I called my case worker this afternoon and she told me that the director is still reading my home study. There was a family that was just ahead of me and she just finished reading their homestudy and now was moving on to mine. She also said to expect to be licensed by the end of next week! I'm really excited and totally ready thanks to a few wonderful people who donated stuff to me. You know who you are! My car seat goes perfectly with my car and jungle theme room! I'll post some more pics later and pics of the car seat. Its drying on the porch. I gave it some tlc today and it sparkles!
Since I hadn't heard anything from the agency I called my case worker this afternoon and she told me that the director is still reading my home study. There was a family that was just ahead of me and she just finished reading their homestudy and now was moving on to mine. She also said to expect to be licensed by the end of next week! I'm really excited and totally ready thanks to a few wonderful people who donated stuff to me. You know who you are! My car seat goes perfectly with my car and jungle theme room! I'll post some more pics later and pics of the car seat. Its drying on the porch. I gave it some tlc today and it sparkles!
16 February 2009
If anyone has ?? please ask!
My oldest dearest sister friend from high school asked me if I was going to adopt and I realized I hadn't really talked about that. Yes, I do want to adopt. I'm doing what's called the foster to adopt program. The agency said I should do all the foster parent prerequisites and while I'm fostering I will be doing the adoption stuff out of the way. I'm not really sure what all the training and such will be just yet. Totally learning as I go with this.
This is how the adoption process has been explained to me. The courts and cps do everything they can to keep families together. Once a child has been placed in foster care the courts decide what happens next. They try to find a relative (sometimes this happens before the child gets placed in foster care) to care for the child. If a relative can't they try to find a friend of the family - this process is called kinship care. So if they cant find anyone to care for the child it goes to/stays in foster care.
In the meantime the courts are telling the parents what to do to get their kids back, get a job, stay clean, get out of jail, anger management, etc. Depending on individual cases it's about a 6 month or longer court process. If the natural parents don't get their act together the courts will release the child for adoption. When that happens cps repeats the process of trying to find a friend or a relative to take the child. If that fails or the people are unsuitable to raise children, the foster parent the child lives with would be asked if they want to adopt the child. The state says in order for me to adopt the child it has to have been in my care for at least 6 months.
I've also been asked about having to give a child back to the natural parents. I just have had to realize I don't get a say in it and just like the rest of life you have to play by the rules. The ultimate goal is what's in the best interest of the child. I feel like I'm being as realistic as possible and yes, it's going to be super hard to give a child back. I have faith that these children need warm loving homes and I am here for how ever long that is. I have faith the right child will come that is meant to be here.
I can't let myself feel anxious about something that is a long way away and may never happen.
I just asked the Universe to handle it for me. And it said OK.
This is how the adoption process has been explained to me. The courts and cps do everything they can to keep families together. Once a child has been placed in foster care the courts decide what happens next. They try to find a relative (sometimes this happens before the child gets placed in foster care) to care for the child. If a relative can't they try to find a friend of the family - this process is called kinship care. So if they cant find anyone to care for the child it goes to/stays in foster care.
In the meantime the courts are telling the parents what to do to get their kids back, get a job, stay clean, get out of jail, anger management, etc. Depending on individual cases it's about a 6 month or longer court process. If the natural parents don't get their act together the courts will release the child for adoption. When that happens cps repeats the process of trying to find a friend or a relative to take the child. If that fails or the people are unsuitable to raise children, the foster parent the child lives with would be asked if they want to adopt the child. The state says in order for me to adopt the child it has to have been in my care for at least 6 months.
I've also been asked about having to give a child back to the natural parents. I just have had to realize I don't get a say in it and just like the rest of life you have to play by the rules. The ultimate goal is what's in the best interest of the child. I feel like I'm being as realistic as possible and yes, it's going to be super hard to give a child back. I have faith that these children need warm loving homes and I am here for how ever long that is. I have faith the right child will come that is meant to be here.
I can't let myself feel anxious about something that is a long way away and may never happen.
I just asked the Universe to handle it for me. And it said OK.
New week!
It's going to be a long week for me. I should hear something this week about setting up my licensing. My caseworker said she would come to my house and do it so I hope its next week. I'm getting really anxious to hear from her. And nervous too.
15 February 2009
Verrification process
this is all the stuff I had to do to get this far
I had a home assessment visit with my case worker.
I attended the mandatory training:
Orientation
Medication 3 hours credit
PAPH 1&2 16 hours total credit
First Aid/CPR/TB test and water safety - this was offered for $30 several times a week at a local daycare. I took mine at a kinder care.
Infant/toddler class
FPI - foster parent initiative 8 hours
These classes have never lasted as long as they say they should. There really isn't 8 hours worth of stuff to say. Most of it is common sense anyway. I did learn quite a few things in the child care department.
I submitted the required documentation:
AWFC application
FBI criminal background check
FBI fingerprinting $45 ish at a local fingerprinting place
Social Security card, drivers license, birth certificate, HS diploma
Auto insurance
Pet vaccinations
Marriage license or divorce decree - NA
sign a release of information form
Inspections
Fire - done by the local fire department. You also need a tagged fire extinguisher - its basic stuff.
Home Health - done by a 3rd party - she just checked to make sure my home is baby proofed and it was clean. $57
Then there is a home study.
The agency does this last because it costs them a lot of $$ and they hope to make sure you aren't crazy or unfit before now.
So a very nice lady came to my house on my birthday (I see it as a present) and sat at my dining table for 5 hours and asked me questions. ALLLLL sorts of questions.
How did I grow up? how was my mother raised? my step fathers and sperm donor? How did I feel about masturbation? Would I spank a child if it were mine? What color was my hair? Use a few words to describe my child hood. Describe my relationship with my mother. How many serious relationships have I been in, for how long, are we still friends and why did we break up? How do I feel about nudity? What are my goals in life? Why do I want to be a foster parent? Is there anything wrong with my lady parts? Have I ever been with a man? Do I have a savings account? I mean these are for the most part questions I would rather not think about much less talk to a stranger who is typing my answers into a laptop to send in to other strangers. YUCK! It was my least favorite part. I would rather have to have a TB test again.
Now all of the requirements have been met I'm waiting to be licensed. My home study was turned in on Monday 2-9 and my caseworker said it takes about 2 weeks to get licensed after that. I'm hoping to know something this week and maybe licensed the week after. I don't know how long it will take to get a placement child, Ive been told the more specific you are the longer you could wait. I've asked for a female child under the age of 1 but I would take one as old as 2. But I really really really want a baby and they know that.
I have had so many people donate things to me for this child and I just want to say thank you. The baby's room is ready. I don't think I've forgotten anything and if I did, we will figure it out as we go. I will post again when I know something else!!!!
I had a home assessment visit with my case worker.
I attended the mandatory training:
Orientation
Medication 3 hours credit
PAPH 1&2 16 hours total credit
First Aid/CPR/TB test and water safety - this was offered for $30 several times a week at a local daycare. I took mine at a kinder care.
Infant/toddler class
FPI - foster parent initiative 8 hours
These classes have never lasted as long as they say they should. There really isn't 8 hours worth of stuff to say. Most of it is common sense anyway. I did learn quite a few things in the child care department.
I submitted the required documentation:
AWFC application
FBI criminal background check
FBI fingerprinting $45 ish at a local fingerprinting place
Social Security card, drivers license, birth certificate, HS diploma
Auto insurance
Pet vaccinations
Marriage license or divorce decree - NA
sign a release of information form
Inspections
Fire - done by the local fire department. You also need a tagged fire extinguisher - its basic stuff.
Home Health - done by a 3rd party - she just checked to make sure my home is baby proofed and it was clean. $57
Then there is a home study.
The agency does this last because it costs them a lot of $$ and they hope to make sure you aren't crazy or unfit before now.
So a very nice lady came to my house on my birthday (I see it as a present) and sat at my dining table for 5 hours and asked me questions. ALLLLL sorts of questions.
How did I grow up? how was my mother raised? my step fathers and sperm donor? How did I feel about masturbation? Would I spank a child if it were mine? What color was my hair? Use a few words to describe my child hood. Describe my relationship with my mother. How many serious relationships have I been in, for how long, are we still friends and why did we break up? How do I feel about nudity? What are my goals in life? Why do I want to be a foster parent? Is there anything wrong with my lady parts? Have I ever been with a man? Do I have a savings account? I mean these are for the most part questions I would rather not think about much less talk to a stranger who is typing my answers into a laptop to send in to other strangers. YUCK! It was my least favorite part. I would rather have to have a TB test again.
Now all of the requirements have been met I'm waiting to be licensed. My home study was turned in on Monday 2-9 and my caseworker said it takes about 2 weeks to get licensed after that. I'm hoping to know something this week and maybe licensed the week after. I don't know how long it will take to get a placement child, Ive been told the more specific you are the longer you could wait. I've asked for a female child under the age of 1 but I would take one as old as 2. But I really really really want a baby and they know that.
I have had so many people donate things to me for this child and I just want to say thank you. The baby's room is ready. I don't think I've forgotten anything and if I did, we will figure it out as we go. I will post again when I know something else!!!!
The nitty gritty
After my application had been approved I was invited to attend an orietation meeting at the office. It was about an hour and they went over basics like required training, documents, inspections and expectations.
To be considered as a Foster Parent with A World For Children you must:
| ● | Be at least 24 years of age (each guardian). |
| ● | Be married/divorced/widowed at least one year or single. |
| ● | Be in satisfactory health. |
| ● | Have dependable transportation. |
| ● | Have a bedroom of at least 80 square feet for a foster child. |
| ● | Have stable income to support your family and household. |
| ● | Pass a fire and health inspection. |
| ● | Have a high school diploma, a GED, or be able to pass a competency test to demonstrate basic skills necessary for parenting. |
| ● | Have no criminal record or history of abusing a child. |
| ● | Be mentally healthy. |
| ● | Be a citizen, permanent resident, or other qualified alien of the United States as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641(b). |
| ● | Have enough child care or life experience to provide sufficient background to become an effective foster parent. |
You must also:
| ● | Complete required hours of foster parent training. |
| ● | Be willing to abide by a policy of no physical discipline. |
Starting the process
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Child_Protection/services.asp is a really great place to start.
I filled out the information form on this website (I had to do it twice) and they emailed me a small packet of info that included an orientation schedule. In order to proceed this is the first step. They are scheduled all over the metroplex and the next ones were in Denton or Arlington - I chose Denton. It was at the library and there were about 30 other people there. There was the CPS presenter and a social worker from a private foster agency. The CPS lady gave us a hand out that included information on how the beginning of the process would work. What I mostly got from this meeting is that you will kinda learn the process as you move thru the process.
https://www.txabusehotline.org/
CPS Overview:
Report is assigned for investigation
CPS investigates and does a risk assessment - if no risk - case closed
If risk is indicated but the child is safe at home the family is referred for services
If risk is indicated but the child is not safe at home CPS seeks safe emergency placement.
They always look for a relative but if a suitable one isn't available...
CPS petitions the courts for custody. If it is denied the child is placed back with the family and they are referred for services
If CPS is granted custody the child is placed in substitute care (foster care) and services are provided to the foster family.
Eventually the court decides the plan for the child. It is either to stay in CPS custody, the child goes back to the birth family or it is Adopted.
In my own words!
TX is so large that CPS decided to license private foster and adoptive agencies to handle the placement of children so the children get better care. Apparently its working because other states have started adopting our program for their services! One of the things that was in that packet was a list of agencies to choose from. You have to choose an agency. There were descriptions of all the agencies and what they require as well as their belief system. Some agencies only do special needs children. Some agencies only do adoption. Some don't like homosexuals, singles, the unmarried, married for less than five years or the divorced. CPS was nice enough to break all the information down into a grid for us! Out of about 30 agencies there were about 10 that had no preference on sexual orientation. Out of those 10, I think five of them were adoption only and three were too far away.
I narrowed it down two agencies, Hope Cottage in Dallas and A World for Children in NE Dallas. The location matters because you do your service training at the office generally. The lady at the CPS meeting said to return the information sheet to the state with the agency that you've chosen. Also to call the agency and tell them you are interested in becoming a foster parent and would like information on their agency. Hope Cottage never did call me back. A World for Children sure did. The director was even out of town and called me back. She emailed me the application to fill out and we talked on the phone a little bit. She explained the agencies do the screening of foster parents and most of the requirements are free or inexpensive. These people were very kind and that's what I'm looking for. They also seem to have their stuff together well. I filled out the application and emailed it back to AWFC. The application was about 7 pages long and was really basic. Each agency has their own rules and mission statement.
AWFC Mission Statement www.awfc.org
AWFC is a christian, child placing agency, offering an array of services to children in substitute care. We believe that all children deserve to live in a sage and caring environment. The mission of AWFC is to serve at risk children and families by providing quality services focusing on prevention support, assessment, therapeutic intervention and permanency.
There are several offices in TX. The central office is in Round Rock and the others are in Dallas, McAllen, Corpus Christi, Brownwood, El Paso, San Antonio, Tyler, Houston, Amarillo and Lufkin.
I filled out the information form on this website (I had to do it twice) and they emailed me a small packet of info that included an orientation schedule. In order to proceed this is the first step. They are scheduled all over the metroplex and the next ones were in Denton or Arlington - I chose Denton. It was at the library and there were about 30 other people there. There was the CPS presenter and a social worker from a private foster agency. The CPS lady gave us a hand out that included information on how the beginning of the process would work. What I mostly got from this meeting is that you will kinda learn the process as you move thru the process.
The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:
- be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults,
- complete an application (staff will assist you, if you prefer),
- share information regarding their background and lifestyle,
- provide relative and non-relative references,
- show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable),
- agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members,
- allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household, and
- attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children.
The training provides an opportunity for the family and DFPS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. There is no charge for the meetings. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.
In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:
- have adequate sleeping space.
- allow no more than 6 children in the home including your own children or children for whom you provide day care.
- agree to a nonphysical discipline policy.
- permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home.
- vaccinate all pets.
- obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
- obtain TB testing as required by the local Health Department for household members.
- attend 20 hours or more of training each year.
https://www.txabusehotline.org/
CPS Overview:
Report is assigned for investigation
CPS investigates and does a risk assessment - if no risk - case closed
If risk is indicated but the child is safe at home the family is referred for services
If risk is indicated but the child is not safe at home CPS seeks safe emergency placement.
They always look for a relative but if a suitable one isn't available...
CPS petitions the courts for custody. If it is denied the child is placed back with the family and they are referred for services
If CPS is granted custody the child is placed in substitute care (foster care) and services are provided to the foster family.
Eventually the court decides the plan for the child. It is either to stay in CPS custody, the child goes back to the birth family or it is Adopted.
In my own words!
TX is so large that CPS decided to license private foster and adoptive agencies to handle the placement of children so the children get better care. Apparently its working because other states have started adopting our program for their services! One of the things that was in that packet was a list of agencies to choose from. You have to choose an agency. There were descriptions of all the agencies and what they require as well as their belief system. Some agencies only do special needs children. Some agencies only do adoption. Some don't like homosexuals, singles, the unmarried, married for less than five years or the divorced. CPS was nice enough to break all the information down into a grid for us! Out of about 30 agencies there were about 10 that had no preference on sexual orientation. Out of those 10, I think five of them were adoption only and three were too far away.
I narrowed it down two agencies, Hope Cottage in Dallas and A World for Children in NE Dallas. The location matters because you do your service training at the office generally. The lady at the CPS meeting said to return the information sheet to the state with the agency that you've chosen. Also to call the agency and tell them you are interested in becoming a foster parent and would like information on their agency. Hope Cottage never did call me back. A World for Children sure did. The director was even out of town and called me back. She emailed me the application to fill out and we talked on the phone a little bit. She explained the agencies do the screening of foster parents and most of the requirements are free or inexpensive. These people were very kind and that's what I'm looking for. They also seem to have their stuff together well. I filled out the application and emailed it back to AWFC. The application was about 7 pages long and was really basic. Each agency has their own rules and mission statement.
AWFC Mission Statement www.awfc.org
AWFC is a christian, child placing agency, offering an array of services to children in substitute care. We believe that all children deserve to live in a sage and caring environment. The mission of AWFC is to serve at risk children and families by providing quality services focusing on prevention support, assessment, therapeutic intervention and permanency.
There are several offices in TX. The central office is in Round Rock and the others are in Dallas, McAllen, Corpus Christi, Brownwood, El Paso, San Antonio, Tyler, Houston, Amarillo and Lufkin.
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