THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING. If you are interested in becoming a foster or adoptive parent, please call (513) 632-6366. Or feel free to contact me at (513) 946-2130.

10:56:52 AM [Visitor] What happens if I have a criminal record?
10:56:35 AM [Nicci Warr] Hamilton County runs criminal background checks on all applications -- both nationally and local. There are prohibitive crimes that prevent you from becoming a foster parent. We also run daily police checks on applicants and approved adoptive and foster homes. Each criminal record will be reviewed carefully and an assessment must occur to determine if you have been approved or not approved. Each is on a case-by-case situation.

10:54:52 AM [Visitor] Do I have to work?
10:54:35 AM [Nicci Warr] You must have sufficient income to meet your basic needs and cover your bills. The foster care board check is a reimbursement for the care of a child.

10:42:52 AM [Visitor] It is clear. Thank you. A little overwhelming. We do want to adopt a child. In the adopt only program are these children that have already been through the legal risk program?
10:44:35 AM [Nicci Warr] No. Adopt-only means that you only have an approved adoptive homestudy. And the only child that can be placed in your home is one who is legally free for adoption. (See http://www.hcjfs.hamilton-co.org/hckids/).
10:46:24 AM [Nicci Warr] Many children who initially come into care, Hamilton County Job and Family Services has custody of that child. If the child cannot be placed with relatives, then we secure a foster home. Once that child becomes legally free, then they can become adopted. Many times, where the child is placed, that foster parent adopt the child. However, I must emphasize that the agency's goal is to work towards reunification with the parent.

10:36:40 AM [Visitor] Thank you. If we were approved for an adoptive home setting are the kids placed with a family at a higher risk, which makes them more likely to be adopted?
10:39:59 AM [Nicci Warr] In Hamilton County Job and Family Services, we have four different programs. Foster only. Adopt only. Foster-to-adopt. Or legal risk. (You could participate in all of the programs if you wanted.) The legal risk program is what you mentioned in the question. When a child is removed from the home, and the agency's intention is to terminate the parent's parental rights, we will seek a legal risk placement because it is the intention for the child to be adopted by that parent. However, we call it legal risk because there is the possibility that that may not occur and the child may be reunified with the parents or placed with relatives.

10:30:24 AM [Visitor] is the foster to adopt program different than strictly a foster parent?
10:32:19 AM [Nicci Warr] Yes, it's slightly different. The foster-to-adopt program you are being approved to be a licensed foster parent. And you also receive an approved adoptive home setting. This allows you to participate in adoption, as well as foster care at the same time.

10:22:23 AM [Question] Do I have to be married?
10:22:31 AM [Answer] As a foster parent, you can be single or be able to co-parent with the person you are living with. However, as an adoptive parent, you can be single or married.

10:22:23 AM [Question] Where do the kids in foster care come from?
10:22:31 AM [Answer] They come from homes where children have been abuse or neglected. The parents are unable to care for them.

10:19:23 AM [Question] Does a child have to have their own room?
10:20:31 AM [Answer] No. However, there are some parameters which must be followed. For example, there can be no more than four children in one room. Children under the age of 5 can share a room with opposite sex children. But after the age of 5, children can only share a room with children of the same sex. It is recommended that children don't share a room with an adult, unless approved by the licensing agency.

10:17:23 AM [Question] How long does it take?
10:18:31 AM [Answer] The homestudy timeframe begins when we receive the application to become a foster and adoptive parent. Once we receive the application, the state rules allow for 180 days to complete the process.

10:06:23 AM [Question] How do I get started to become a foster parent?
10:10:31 AM [Answer] Contact 632-6366. That will start the process. Hamilton County will send paperwork and an invitation to orientation, which starts the first class of foster care and adoption training.

10:06:23 AM [Darla] We have a young man 12 in our home who has a diagnosis of Bi-polar (with maternal side of the family history also). He will be up for adoption shortly and we have been asked if we are interested. Our concern is that with existing behaviors and the probability that the disease will get worse and not better in his teen years can we handle him without psychiatric, therapy and expensive meds. What would our options be for ongoing help with these issues?
10:07:31 AM [Nicci Warr] Are you currently a foster parent?
10:08:08 AM [Darla] Yes for 18 years, he is placed with us.
10:10:31 AM [Nicci Warr] There are many available resources for adoptive parents. It depends if a child is IV eligible. Counties negotiate an adoption subsidy and if available there are post-adoptive funds available as well. Also, adoption subsidies can be renegotiated every year if a child's condition becomes worse and there is documentation to support the information. However, with the current  financial status of the state, it's all subject to change. Hope this helps.

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