Foster questions

[JJorn]

One of my relatives might end up being forced to place her child in foster care or something (she may be in jail when the baby is born). I already offered to care for her baby if that were the case and she thanked me for it (but since her court appearance isn't for several weeks she doesn't even want to think about this). Does anyone here know how this would work? If she is in jail when the baby is born does the child have to go into foster care? Does she have any right to have someone watch her child that isn't an approved foster parent? Does what she want matter at all in this case?

I have always wanted to be a foster mom but was planing on waiting until we had a bigger place to live. Should I get to work at becoming a foster parent? We only have a two bedroom home right now and already have two children. I see that as a problem but it is possible that our family would help us to be able to rent this place out and live somewhere else if necessary if that meant we could take care of the baby.

[Gwenn]

I have no personal experience with fostering, but I see a lot of kids through work who are CPS cases and in foster care with either family or through the foster system. I know that CPS (where I live, at least) prefers to go through a relative if someone is available and frequently you see kids who have been placed with grandparents, aunts, etc. The level of the parents involvement ranges from completely out of the picture, to living with the family and taking much of the responsibility of care. I know a kinship placement doesn't require a foster license, although one family I worked with the aunt had taken in her niece and nephew, and then got a foster license because she decided this was something she was interested in continuing with after the kids went back with their parents. It's always great to see kids placed with a loving family member with a stable home - typically these kids make great progress, in my experience.

[ibisgirldc]

in our county, as far as I know, the license isn't required for the emergency, family placement. But to be on teh list to take in a random kid, yes, in that case, you do need to go through that process.

[JJorn]

This is all good to know. This is my cousin and we are a very close family. I'm pretty sure that my aunt and uncle would take the baby but my cousin is livid with them right now and blames them for the situation in which she finds herself. So, if she has any say then the baby will not go to them.

[kellyowens]

I'm not sure who has the most say so in those cases but I do know when we were going through our adoption classes most of the couples there were doing the classes for kinship care and the children were already with them. I live in Michigan...I'm sure it's different from state to state and maybe even county to county. I would call DHS and ask .

Praying for you!!

[Babidol]

They almost always place babies with willing family first. Unfortunately, I think if the grandparents come forward they may take them over you. I guarantee they will be ecstatic to find family waiting for the baby. Chances are though that you won't get any help from the state. I know in Ohio there is a stipend but not many states offer it. You might be able to get a child only welfare case for the baby.

[JJorn]

I would have no problem covering all costs for my cousin's baby. That baby will be a part of our family for ever and I would be blessed to be able to care from him or her, temporarily or permanently. We were the ones that were going to take care of the baby if necessary but my Aunt has had a change of heart (it is her grand baby after all). My cousin is just so mad at them that if she has any say over it will not let her parents care for the baby. Whether we have the baby or not, all of our family will be involved.

[Babidol]

That's awesome Jessica! If it were my family I would do the same. I know lots of kin that take on babies though and don't have the necessary resources. Families still keep them but struggle pretty bad. That was the only reason I mentioned the stipend. With kinship care she should only need to sign over temporary custody to whom ever gets the baby. I would think though the baby will get state insurance though which is nice as a secondary insurance source. I hope you guys can get this all worked out (and that she won't be having a baby in jail).

[kellyowens]

My DS's bmom was picked up for "possession" and put in a rehab facility during the last few days of her pg. She went into labor shortly after (probably from drug withdrawal)...she ended up with a c/s but it's listed as "planned" on his birth record. I'm not sure how it works if mom is already in jail serving time and/or drugs aren't involved.

[JJorn]

We really hope that she hasn't been on drugs but it is suspected. I'll know much more in August after her trial/sentencing. She had just one charge but now has two charges since you can't just violate your bail conditions.