I actually do "homestudies" for the state of Utah. Everything needs to be safe for the child. My agency requires the child to have their own bedroom, but if they are siblings, then they can share. Own beds, that are sturdy (not air mattresses).
Windows need to have screens. There must be two exits in case of fire on each level (windows count). Fridge, stove, microwave, etc...needs to be working. There needs to be smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on each level. We require fire a extinguisher. Emergency numbers posted by the phone. 3 steps or more require a banister. Bathrooms must be in working order. Heater must be able to maintain temperature of at least 68 degrees.
Furnace must have cleared space of 6 ft around it. (Or be in its own closet). Medications, firearms, and hazardous materials must be locked. Garbage must be sanitary. Those are the ones I can think of for the actual homestudy. If they don't have any of these things that can be easily fixed, we just let them know what they need to do, and we come back for a follow up visit and most likely we can approve their home.
We also do an intensive interview process to ask them about their marriage, (how they handle issues) extended family(support system), and kids. We also ask the kids in the home some questions about having foster siblings. We also talk to them about their lifestyle, activities, typical day, or week. The questions take about an hour or so, and we have foster kids with disabilities so it's a little more intense.
That is awesome that you are willing to take in your cousins. I wish I had more relatives willing to take in their family. That's so important, and kudos for doing that. I'm sure that because you are related, they will help you in any possible way to make it a successful placement.
I hope this helped you, best of luck!!!
2007-09-21 14:44:20
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answer #1
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answered by AndyL 2
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We had to have a home visit prior to our adoption. Ours was for an international adoption, but I think we had to meet the same requirements for the home visit. I was very nervous about the home visit, but it did not turn out to be a big deal.
They are checking to make sure that your home is safe. The requirements seemed very minimal. I remember when our social worker went through them I was shocked at how low the requirements were. You definitely do not need to have a big, fancy home. They were things like:
-- at least one working bathroom.
-- access to a working telephone (notice it doesn't even say you have to *have* a phone -- just access to one.)
-- we had to show them where the children would sleep (I don't believe we had to actually have the beds yet... Just had to say "we'll put the bed here."
-- no evidence of illegal activities operating from the home, etc.
There were several other requirements that we had to meet before we were officially approved (we had to have a fire inspection by the fire department and develop an evacuation plan, we had to learn CPR, etc.) But the home visit was not a big deal.
2007-09-20 03:03:49
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answer #2
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answered by Kim 3
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as a relative placement the rules might be different then becoming a foster parent. But in general, safety covers on light sockets if kids little, no chemicals under sink, all firearms and power or dangerous tools out of reach. Medicines in high place or lock box and lots of love to give.
2007-09-20 03:26:26
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answer #3
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answered by Molly 6
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Very minimal, they let anyone be foster parents these days.
They just want to make sure you have enough room for them, and that everything looks reasonably safe.
Depending on the age of the kids you want to foster I would make sure the house is safe for them, and clean and try not to worry too much, you're family so you already have that in your favor.
2007-09-20 05:40:34
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answer #4
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answered by Peace 4
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i think of it takes extra beneficial than one sign to ensure if a newborn is abused or neglected. newborn has a bruise? perhaps they fell down! newborn is grimy? perhaps they performed extraordinarily complicated that day, yet are in many cases sparkling. house is messy? perhaps the parent(s) have been incredibly unwell or have had something else significant and significant happening that has positioned cleansing decrease on the concern checklist (a dying interior the family individuals, something else tragic, etc.) i think of it takes extra beneficial than one sign as a fashion to ensure abuse or ignore. What might seem as a concern to an interloper might merely be a non everlasting and/or unintentional situation. And who gets to stipulate what those "warning signs" are? You cant practice that a newborn is abused merely because of the fact they have a bruise. infants get harm for all time. and you cant see a grimy newborn and assume they're neglected. infants get grimy for all time! as long because of the fact the parent is cleansing them up on the tip of the day, it isnt a concern. We cant positioned our youngsters in bubbles and defend them from falling or getting grimy. If a guy or woman SEES a newborn being abused, thats distinctive. Say, if somebody witnesses a parent easily throwing or hitting their newborn, then yeah, THATS data. usual, your question is unquestionably especially stupid. that is impossible to coach that a newborn is being neglected or abused except somebody easily witnesses it happening.
2016-10-19 04:52:51
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answer #5
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answered by gustavo 4
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They want to make sure your home is safe. Big enough, clean, room for the kids (i.e. extra bedroom and possible beds)
2007-09-20 05:54:19
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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they are looking to see if its clean is their room for them do you have their rooms set up and are you really ready for them that is what they are looking out for the kids in what they feel they need is necessary. that is all you have to do is be honest and forthright and it will be ok. show them you are caring loving people and that is all they really want.
2007-09-20 16:06:25
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answer #7
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answered by Tsunami 7
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Also, pool, pond, if you have a well they will need the health department to test the water.
2007-09-20 05:32:49
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answer #8
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answered by Julia 3
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basically if your home is big enough for them where they will leep if it is clean if you have children how you interact with them if its a loving envioment if you have good jobs or finacially stable possibly food ect
2007-09-20 02:52:02
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answer #9
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answered by jmc 4
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They will have to have their own room, mainly they look to see how you live. Cleanness and etc.
2007-09-20 06:54:39
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answer #10
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answered by Granny 1 7
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