I need some advice re: foster care.

Starr_Mom

Long story short, we may have to end up taking in our 4 young nephews (ages 1 to 6). SIL is not taking care of them and BIL works OOT the entire week. There would be a lot of stress and money involved because both DH & I work, so all 5 kids would have to be in daycare. Has anyone dealt with anything like this? I just have no clue where to begin.

kirstenw05

I have 2 kids, both from a former SIL. It isn't an easy road - and my biggest caution to you - is to establish very firm rules before moving forward.

Q's to consider: Are you just providing temporary shelter as aunt and uncle until either BIL can transfer or SIL gets her act together? Is there a time limit? Have you discussed what this means for permanency etc.? This can become very messy very fast. Will they call you aunt/uncle? Do you have an established relationship with them? Will BIL continue to support them financially (in California, he is required to by law)? Will he continue to provide medical insurance (unless they are formally put into the foster system, you will not be able to acquire medical insurance yourself for them)?

If the answers are no to these questions, I would recommend making it clear that this would be an ADOPTION and there would have to be very clear rules about visitation, how they refer to you vs. birth parents, etc.

While this can be an amazing and rewarding experience, there is a lot to consider that you dont even realize until after the fact. Let me know if you have more specific questions.

lilmufish

hi there,

Is this through the foster care system or on your own? The reason be hind that question is because through the foster care you'll have a stipend, daycare assistance, etc.  On your own, you're on your own.  Unfortunately you wouldn't want to report your family to DFS because that  could possibly cause all sorts of issues for them down the road. 

come*on*baby

Did DFPS/CPS remove the children and call you for a kinship placement? If so, you'll have to ask the case worker about any stipened you *might* get. Its all based how your state would handle it. Some states give relatives stipened, some don't.

 

If they were removed by CPS and placed with you, it's not really a foster care situation. I know here in Texas there are two divisions of DFPS - Foster care and Family Based Safety Services, chanes are you fall under the FBSS umbrella.

RickeyandDani

I was an Eligibility Worker in Foster Care/CFS for 7 years in California. In our state you can rate as a "Relative placement" as long as you are blood related. If the case was federally eligible you would be eligible to receive Foster Care funding. kids age 0-4 = $428/month, age 5-8= $462/mo., age 9-11 = $494/mo, and age 12- 18 = $628. (the rates may have increased in the past year. You would also qualify for clothing allowances. If the case was not federally eligible we would deny it and refer it to a CalWORKs worker (cashaid) where you would be considered a "non-needy caretaker". in this case the amount of aid you receive is based on how many children are in the home versus age, and CalWORKs doesn't do clothing allowances.

These fundings were to cover placement costs.  In addition to this, you could go through the assigned social worker and apply for child care, but these days those programs are harder to get in because of the economy.

But in your state this may all vary.  Hopefully this helped a little at least.

coupons572

Be careful here. It sounds like you don't have any time to care for these children either. If you step in for a relative, those people will ALWAYS be a part of your life, because you have their children. And they will never be able to separate that, even if legally it is no longer true.

You have to consider what's best for the kids in this situation. Would they be better with a family that can care for them, separated from the birth parents so they can grow up without that drama?

 A lot to consider. Best of luck.

Carolyn