Fostering, adoption or just staying with us?

Question

My childrens 14 year old friend is facing being placed into care due to a family crisis. We have known her all of her life and she spends most weekends/evenings at our house, and so my wife and i would be happy for her to come and live with us permanently, does anyone know if we would have to adopt or foster or could she just move in? All parties are more than happy with this happening, just wondering if any one could give some advice

Answer 1

just to elaborate a previous answer. Call the agency that would be working with the family and leave your name and basic info (dss in my state). Due to confidentiallity the agency may not be able to tell you anything, but a number is never a bad thing to leave.

If the child is not in DSS custody then the parents can request kinship placement. If you would want to become permenant and DSS does not have custody then you would need to have the parents sign custody (not just enloco parentis) over to you. This would be done through an lawyer normally.

If DSS has custody then it normally a homestudy has to approved by DSS and the judge before a child can be placed in your home. Again just contact the social worker

a little advice. Be persistant, but don't call every 5 minutes. Social Workers will call you back, and it looks better when you are able to demonstrate some patients through these times!

Just remember that sometimes there are family members who are "discovered" when an agency starts working with a family, and in most cases DSS is obligated to also work with the lost fathers/mothers who are found.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

Social services seems to prefer putting kids first into a home they're familiar with. Talk with whoever's dealing with the case, and that'll probably be your best bet. Chances are, though, that they'll have to do a run-through of your house to make sure it's okay, same as they do with potential foster families.

(My foster sister stayed first with a friend of hers. That one didn't work out so well, though, and she came to us. I don't know details, so you should probably just take my response as one case where it happened rather than as valid advice; I don't know as much as I'm sure others here do.)

Answer 3

there is one lady at my church who became into accompanied out of foster care. She has 2 mothers. One mom is her foster mom, the different her adoptive mom. She has no touch with bio mom. This lady became into bounced around some foster properties in the previous getting accompanied.

Answer 4

You'll need to get some kind of legal gardianship....talk to a good lawyer. Good luck, she's a lucky girl to have friends who care to help in such a major way. Happy Holidays

Answer 5

You don't have to adopt but you they will need to fill out and get you to sign a legal guardianship form. This would mean that you are legally entitled to care for this child.

Answer 6

I think its great that you family is willing to open your home to a child in need. You need to talk to a child welfare agency along with the childs parents. Get legal counsel. Blessings to you all.

Answer 7

well my grandmother is a froster parent when she adopt one she had to go through a process but it not going to take long because the agent aready know you and the girl know both of you

Answer 8

if her family agrees and signs a declaration through a solicitor that she can stay with you that should be a help for the present

Answer 9

i don't know the US law, but just wanted to say how in awe i am of someone so open and loving of another person and how selfless you and your wife must be.
god bless you and your family.

Answer 10

Go to your local county court, we did & got the order that we needed, they are very helpful & it didn't cost a fortune.