- Sep 14, 2010
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Does anyone know how long you need to have a child in foster care in your home before you legally become that child's kin? I have been searching the web but I can't seem to find it spelled out anywhere...
Does anyone know how long you need to have a child in foster care in your home before you legally become that child's kin? I have been searching the web but I can't seem to find it spelled out anywhere...
Does anyone know how long you need to have a child in foster care in your home before you legally become that child's kin? I have been searching the web but I can't seem to find it spelled out anywhere...
I don't think there is a hard and fast rule and I am sure it varies by state. Where I practice the kinship label is given to family and friends and anyone who really has some bond or connection to a family. For example I had a child reunified with parents several months after placement in a foster home. Child maintained contact with the foster family for years and when mom messed up he returned to the former "foster parents" as a kinship placement. If you have a foster care child in placement for 6 months in some jurisdictions that gives you the option of appealing a removal from your home. I don't think there are any time limits like that for making you a kinship provider. This is not legal advice and I don't know where you live, so if you really need to know, contact an attorney who practices family/dependency law.
When we have a bonding assessment done a licensed psychologist comes in and watches the interaction between the adults and the child. They also interview the adults and children if age appropriate and get their input. The Dr then makes a determination about whats in the best interests of the child. They are not cheap they last 2 we have had done were btw $1500 and $2000. Our court take a lot of stock in them. Our were done with the foster parents and the bio-parents. If they are good at it they come up with some valuable stuff and incite.
From my perspective this is a no brainer, the agency who place the child should be fighting most of this battle, at this point it should be about the best interest of the child and not about what the parents want. I encourage you and your wife (I assume your wife, all you said was we) to speak in court and tell the court about the child future with you and your family.
The moment you get it pregnant, ot the moment it gets you pregnant.Does anyone know how long you need to have a child in foster care in your home before you legally become that child's kin? I have been searching the web but I can't seem to find it spelled out anywhere...
I'm trying hard to remind myself why I do foster care...
Even though the child is very young, you should be proud you gave the kid a place of love for the time you could. Lots of kids don't even get that.