Foster parents in Austin, Texas, can offer children a fresh start.
Throughout the country, children are abandoned or taken from their homes for safety reasons. These children require a place to stay and are often put in the foster care system. Some of these children can even be adopted by their foster parents. Residents of Austin, Texas, who wish to become foster parents must go through an application process to be approved. This process requires many steps and each one must be followed correctly in a timely manner.
Instructions
1. Attend the local informational meeting. The Austin, Texas, meetings are located at the Office of the Department of Family and Protective Services, or DFPS. These informational meetings typically occur once a month. Questions will be answered and information will be given about the process.
2. Complete an application. This application should be filled out in full and returned to the Texas DFPS. This form gives the department information to determine if you meet the basic requirements. These include being 21 or older, sharing information about your life and background, references from related and nonrelated people, proof of marriage or divorce as needed, pass a criminal background check, complete a home study and attend training.
3. Meet with the staff of the DFPS in Austin, Texas. If you meet the requirements for being a foster parent, they will contact you to set up a meeting. The staff will evaluate you and your family situation to determine if you are a good fit for the foster care system. They will make sure that you have a place for a foster child to sleep, allow frequent safety inspections, agree to keep discipline nonphysical, become CPR certified, vaccinate all pets, pass a tuberculosis test and keep no more than six children including your own.
4. Attend a training course. The Austin, Texas, DFPS requires potential foster parents to attend a 35-hour training class. A member of the DFPS staff and a foster or adoptive parent jointly teach this class. The class covers materials such as attachment issues, effects of abuse and neglect on children, how the system works and the effects of foster parenting on all involved. Universal precautions training, psychotropic medication training and CPR certification are also required training.
5. Complete a home study. A caseworker will visit your home and evaluate your living conditions. This also serves as an interview. You will be asked questions on your family history, personal interests and activities, experience you have and what types of children you are interested in fostering.
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