Make a difference in a child's life.
San Bernardino is the largest county in California. There are many foster children waiting for adoption placement through county and private organizations. An approved home study is required for all adoptive and foster parents no matter which route you choose to adoption. A home study is the complete investigation by a licensed social worker of any individuals living in your home. You do not need to own your own home or be married, but your house must have enough room for at least one child.
Instructions
1. Attend an orientation meeting. San Bernardino County Department of Children's Services (DCS) offers at least one orientation meeting each month. Private adoption organizations also offer orientations. Due to the volume of information regarding adoption, orientation can help answer many questions at once. DCS offers "Taking Care of Business" days where you can complete many of the following steps as part of the orientation.
2. Complete the licensing application. The application includes information about you, your spouse or life partner, your children and any other individuals living in your home. Part of the application is a written autobiography for you (and your spouse, if you have one). The autobiography is the best way for social workers to learn about you, so it is best to answer the questions carefully and completely.
3. Pass a tuberculosis (TB) test. San Bernardino County offers this test as part of their Taking Care of Business days, but you can have it done at other county offices or with your personal physician. TB tests require you to return to have the test site examined the next day. If you are unable to come for the return visit postpone the test to fit your schedule. All adults in your home are required to pass a TB test.
4. Pass the background check. Background checks are done through Livescan fingerprint checks with the Department of Defense. Even if you have had a previous Livescan as a teacher or police officer, you are required to re-test for the adoption application. If you have dry hands, use lotion before the fingerprinting to improve the quality of the scan. All adults in your home are required to pass this background check.
5. Have your doctor complete the health form. This does not require a full physical; it merely states that you are physically and emotionally capable of caring for a child. All individuals in your home must have this form completed.
6. Complete a first aid and CPR class. Make sure the class includes infant and child CPR, not just CPR for adults. If you are applying as a couple only one of you needs to complete this requirement.
7. Take the required class hours. For adoptions through the county this is done with PRIDE classes. These are a series of eight three-hour classes that focus on different aspects of being a foster or adoptive parent. Private adoption organizations may have their own classes, but 24 hours is the state requirement. Classes must be completed within 120 days of submitted your application.
8. Complete the class homework. There are short assignments for each three-hour class. When all the classes are complete this homework is turned in to your social worker. It is much easier to do these assignments as you take the classes instead of waiting to do it all at once.
9. Schedule a visit with your social worker. She will visit you house and speak with everyone who lives there. They will want to look at all the rooms in your house. Your social worker may schedule other visits in order to complete the home study.
10. Schedule a visit with the home inspector. You social worker approves you as an individual. A separate social worker must license your house. Make sure all chemicals, medicines, guns or poisons are locked up. If you have a pool or water feature ask the home inspector how they want it safeguarded. If you move, the license expires and you will need a new home inspection.
11. Wait for an adoptive placement. Although you will be a licensed foster parent, if your goal is adoption, a child will not be placed with you until the social worker is reasonably sure that child is available for adoption. How long this takes depends on the needs of your family and the children available.
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