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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