DCF - What to Expect?

[Fashionably Green Baby]

They can share a room with siblings. I think school age kids have to be separated by gender and each child needs their own bed.

[newmommy13]

Kids over age one aren't allowed to sleep in the same room as parents. They can share a room with other kids. But they don't want to take your kids away if they are safe, they will want to help you get services and stuff.

If I was you id move all the kids to the other room.

[luvsviola]

Originally Posted by DalesWidda Well they don't have to have a room all to themselves, right? My kids share a room. Do you mean they just aren't supposed to room with mom and dad?

Right. Kids over 1 can't share a room with parent if you are a DCS open case. Kids of opposite genders can share a room til the oldest is 4.

I am going to bet that in this situation, though, DCS would be more interested in helping find services for the family than taking kids. We help with housing, counseling, parenting, etc. for a good while before before they'd even consider taking the kids unless there is an imminent danger.

[ktmelody]

Originally Posted by luvsviola Right. Kids over 1 can't share a room with parent if you are a DCS open case. Kids of opposite genders can share a room til the oldest is 4.

Right. Except some states have different rules.

It only applies to dcfs cases or foster kids.

Here anyone can share a room as long as they each have a bed and dresser. And no babies over 1 year of age in a foster parents bedroom.

These rules do not apply to bio kids that are not in the system.

[Junipervt]

Originally Posted by ktmelody Right. Except some states have different rules. It only applies to dcfs cases or foster kids. Here anyone can share a room as long as they each have a bed and dresser. And no babies over 1 year of age in a foster parents bedroom. These rules do not apply to bio kids that are not in the system.

yup VT does not have those bedroom sharing rules, but I do believe everyone must have their own bed (a pack & play counts for a babe). it's actually really hard in VT to get a voucher for a 3bdrm. Most vouchers are 2bdrm even if the family has children of different genders w/ a large age gap.

[CherryPie]

A report on less than pristine uniforms would not be screened in.

Since you mentioned this in your OP- maybe they come to school smelling like urine and you just don't realize it b/c you are accustomed to your home's smell? Just a thought.

[Fishie Kisses]

Originally Posted by CherryPie A report on less than pristine uniforms would not be screened in. Since you mentioned this in your OP- maybe they come to school smelling like urine and you just don't realize it b/c you are accustomed to your home's smell? Just a thought.

I would think this is very possible. I had a friend who often smelled, and their house smelled even worse, but they didn't seem to be nasty people, and I'm thinking they just didn't notice.

[catilina]

Originally Posted by CherryPie A report on less than pristine uniforms would not be screened in. Since you mentioned this in your OP- maybe they come to school smelling like urine and you just don't realize it b/c you are accustomed to your home's smell? Just a thought.

This is a good point. When I taught Head Start we had to call DCFS on a set of twins who came to school every day smelling very strongly of ammonia. They were unkempt and dirty, and in addition to these things, we could never get appointments to get in the house (as teachers we were supposed to do two home visits a year and the family service workers were supposed to visit monthly). There was some concern about possible meth use/production in the home... I definitely didn't ever call DCFS to get parents in trouble, I just was concerned with helping those sweet kids, but as mandatory reporters if there was every any concern, no matter how small, we had to call. I hope everything works out for the best for you and your children!

[luvsviola]

Originally Posted by ktmelody Right. Except some states have different rules. It only applies to dcfs cases or foster kids. Here anyone can share a room as long as they each have a bed and dresser. And no babies over 1 year of age in a foster parents bedroom. These rules do not apply to bio kids that are not in the system.

Doesn't apply to regular kids, but if you are working towards reunification, you have to have it too. So, you'd have to have a 3 bedroom if you have children over 4 of different genders before they would consider overnight visits.

[Fashionably Green Baby]

How did your visit go OP?