I am the one under scrutiny, I don't know much about ward of the state stuff.

[Microcell]

I am finding this very interesting. DD wanted to play with her friend tomorrow afternoon, they are both almost 8. All I know about this girl is that she lived grandma last spring, then moved to be with mom, now is back with grandma since December. It was all in the same town, but involved a school change. DD calls friend and asks her to come over tomorrow, to ride the bus home. She hung up. We have not had much interaction with this family so I knew the call beck from grandma would be coming. It did, but here is what she told me:

She said that the girl is in the state system and her mother has supervised visitation that I would have to submit to a background check and provide lots of info like SS# and it might be simpler if my DD goes over there to play instead. Well, I am not comfortable with that considering I have no idea just what is going on over there. Does this sound right?

I am going to talk to the grandma later this week, and plan to express my discomfort, but I am surprised I, who has no prior background would have to submit to such a high level of scrutiny!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

If the child is in the state system then it does sound right.

I had to have a full background check, fingerprints, the works done to visit in the same house as some kids I knew for 6 years when they went into state care (lived with grandma, mom had supervised visits) and we were/are as close as you can get to family without being related.

Your dd doesn't need that because she is a child and you would probably need the same "scruitny" if you went and stayed with your dd too. The grandma had to have it done before she could have custody of the child too.

If you have any questions feel free to ask in the thread, though I may PM you the answers. Or you can PM me.

 

[quiteblonde]

I work in an adolescent facility where most of our kids are wards of the State (Missouri). If the child is in the system and her mother is on supervised visitation then it is correct that you will have to pass a background screening to be allowed to have the child in your home.

The actual process, however, is simple. You just have to fill out an application for the background screening, then you will get a letter in the mail saying you are clear, with nothing on your record. Our facility's screenings are much more involved, it's like trying to get into Fort Knox to gain access to one of our kids.

The background screening is a precaution on the State's part to make sure the child isn't going into a home where they will be subjected to anything that would put them in a situation they aren't equipped to handle. Basically, they don't want an abused kid going to visit at a home of someone who has already been Hotlined or something along those lines.

I'm glad the little girl has a Grandmother that was willing to take her in, some of our girls are only a few years older and have no one in their families that will make the effort.

 

[kat3668]

Yes unfortunately this is the case..
I myself was in foster care for years and we were not allowed to have our pictures in the paper and was not allowed to visit anyone..

they have gotten extremely cautious but with all the problems there are in the states foster care system they have to...
Even I have to have a Cori (even thought I am a teacher and have had one) through DSS to even baby sit for my mom if she needs a break or has to go out of town... and her wards are teenagers! 14- 19

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

I wanted to add...

If you can provide a healthy, positive environment for this child, please make the effort to go through this process. It's rare that a child in care can visit anyone in their home and it will help the child feel a bit more *normal* in her already turblent life.