Hi, new here. So many questions..... I, 39F, and husband, 40M, are being considered for kinship placement. Here's a bit of the backstory, with some details changed to protect the children. My nephew, 23M, whom I cut contact with some time ago because of a DV arrest & conviction towards his wife (I don't support abusers), began dating a new girl, 22F, about a month after his DV arrest.
This girl has 2 living children, 2 year old son and 4 month old daughter. Her first child, a son, passed away at only 2 months of age. Child #1 and #2 have the same father. My nephew is the father of baby #3. Due to the circumstances of the baby #1's passing, CPS was involved and ultimately removed child #2. Child #2 was returned to mom, only to be removed a second time. When child #2 was returned to her again, she was pregnant with baby #3. Because I stopped speaking to my nephew, I have never met the girlfriend or either child.
Fast forward a bit, baby #3 was recently admitted to the hospital with an unexplained brain bleed. She and my nephew "have no idea what happened". Needless to say, child #2 was removed by CPS a third time and is currently in foster care (mom's family declined to take child #2 in for a third time), and baby is in CPS custody while remaining in the hospital.
Upon learning that baby suffered serious trauma, I reached out to CPS to inform them I was open for kinship placement consideration if baby survives. I am so incredibly happy to say that baby has made a 180degree turnaround. It is still too early for the DR's to determine what residual brain damage may exist, but baby survived.
I have been in frequent talks with the caseworker and they have asked if I would be willing to take in both children. I am not related to child #2, an initially said no but now I am torn. I have the means and the time to care for both children, but I'm afraid to say yes to child #2 because I do not yet know exactly what baby #3's care will look like once discharged home. I want to ensure I can give each child what they need, but I don't want to be the reason the siblings are separated either.
Anyways, we should be going through the home assessment very soon. We have already completed the preliminary interview and everyone in my household has completed the CPS and criminal background checks.
I guess my main question is what to expect during the home assessment/interview?
If approved for placement of one or both of the children, am I required to be involved in the parents visitation? Yes, the parents still receive weekly visitation with both children. I don't want anything to do with either of them, especially while the criminal investigation is still ongoing. Hate to say it but, in my mind and under these circumstances, they're both guilty until proven innocent.
Anyone have advice for taking in a medically needy baby? I was told that there's mandatory medical training we'll have to take to learn how to meet baby #3's needs, which will be incredibly helpful.
I know resources and assistance is available for Kinship caregivers, to include daycare assistance. If baby #3 is unable to attend a traditional daycare because of potential brain damage, does the daycare assistance help pay for in-home care? Do I look for an in home nurse?
Like I said, I have so many questions.....Thank you in advance for reading & for any advice you might have.