FAQs • Livingston County, NY • CivicEngage

What are special needs?: "Special needs" can mean physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or a combination thereof. Due to their past history, most foster children have emotional needs which will require ongoing counseling and who will likely present challenging and difficult behaviors.

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Social Services - Services for Children, Families and Adults

1. Do I have to own my own home to be a Foster Parent?: No, however each child in foster care must have his or her own bed.

2. Can I work and still be a Foster Parent?: Yes, as long as you provide adequate child care arrangements while you are at work. The Agency will provide day care payments to registered centers and day care providers.

3. How old do I have to be to become a Foster Parent?: You must be 21 years of age.

4. Does my spouse have to participate in the process to become a Foster Parent?: Yes because we are certifying both of you to provide foster care.

5. Who are the children requiring foster care?: The children range in age from newborn to 21. They are of all races, and have varying degrees of emotional, physical and behavioral problems. They are all residents of Livingston County.

6. Can I choose the age, sex, race and number of children I want to provide foster care to?: Yes. The Homefinding staff will work with you to determine how many children you will be certified to foster and what type of children will best fit your home. The maximum number of children that may be fostered in one home is six children under the age of 13, and no more than two under the age of 2. The maximum number of children in one home includes any other children currently residing in your home.

7. Do foster children need to have their own rooms?: If the children are under the age of 7 they may share a room with another child of either sex. If the child is 7 or over they must share a room with a child of the same sex. Each child must have their own bed.

8. Does foster care lead to adoption?: The goal of foster care is to provide a temporary home for children until they can return to their parents, other family members or go into independent living. In some cases, if the parents are unwilling or unable to resolve their problems, the Agency may consider freeing the child for adoption. If you have had a foster child in your home for twelve consecutive months, your application to adopt must be considered first.

9. If I foster a child do I have to let biological parents visit in my home?: No. However, we ask foster parents to keep an open mind about this. Every situation is different. If there are safety concerns you will not be asked to have the visits in your home. We find it beneficial to the children to have the foster and birth parents work cooperatively.

10. How much do I get paid for Foster Parenting?: You will receive a monthly board payment, a clothing allowance, a Medicaid card and various other reimbursements.

11. What supports are available for Foster Parents?: There are regular foster parent support group meetings. The foster child's caseworker will provide case planning and coordination. The Homefinding Unit offers over 100 hours of training each year, along with regular networking opportunities with other foster parents.

12. How do I get started in the Foster Parent process?: For more information please contact Social Services at (585) 243-7300.

13. What children are waiting for adoption?: In Livingston County most children legally freed for adoption are already in adoptive placement. Foster parents that have children who are legally free and have been living with them for 12 consecutive months are given first priority. There are however, hundreds of children waiting to be adopted throughout New York State. http://www.childrenawaitingparents.org/

14. What are special needs?: "Special needs" can mean physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or a combination thereof. Due to their past history, most foster children have emotional needs which will require ongoing counseling and who will likely present challenging and difficult behaviors.

15. What if I don't have the financial means to adopt a special needs child?: Adoption subsidies are available for special needs or hard-to-place children regardless of the adopting family's income. Adoption subsidies are designed to help ease the financial pressure of adoption and will be between 75-100% of the foster boarding home rate. In addition to the monthly payment, many children also qualify for medical coverage.

16. What if I want to adopt a baby?: Applications from people who want to adopt a young children (Birth-5yrs) are placed on a waiting list. Applicants must complete a Preparation Class and a Home Study. There is no guarantee of a placement of a child in the age group.

17. What if I want to adopt a foreign child?: Livingston County Department of Social Services does not participate in international adoptions. You would be referred to private agencies in Monroe County.

18. What if I want a Homestudy done so I can adopt privately?: Livingston County Department of Social Services does not provide this service. You would be referred to private agencies in Monroe County.

19. What is involved in an Agency Homestudy?: Participation in the Preparation Class is the first step. There would also be home consultations, collection of certain documents including medical reports, reference visits and a written autobiography. There is no fee for the Home Study. The only cost for you would be your attorney fee's at the time of adoption finalization. If you are adopting a special needs or hard-to-place child, this fee may be covered.

20. Can I become a Foster Parent and then adopt the child in my home?: This is the most realistic avenue to adoption through the Department of Social Services. Having a fostering experience first is crucial to later successfully adopting an older or special needs child. However, as a foster parent, you must accept all responsibilities that accompany the role including returning the child to the birth parents if this is the case plan. If you decide to foster in hopes of adopting, you would make the decision as to the degree of risk you could accept in the placement. Reunification with the birth family is the number one goal of foster care. Foster parents have first option to adopt if children cannot safely return home.

21. What if I adopt a child and months or year later I have a problem that I cannot handle?: Post adoption services are available to you following your adoption. At anytime you would be eligible for services for your family.

22. How can I find out information about my biological family?: If you are adopted, or if you placed a child for adoption, or if you are the biological sibling of an adopted person, you may wish to learn more about your birth family. The New York State Health Department’s Adoption Registry can help and even facilitate a reunion. More information can be accessed by going to www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/adoption.