CPS foster/kinship advice needed - help from the state?

[tsfairy]

My parents are currently fostering my brother's 6 kids, who are ages 3-12 right now. They've been with my parents since November and my parents will likely adopt them soon. Mom's in her 50's, my dad is in his 60's and they're both in very poor health and work full-time. My mom has her own business as well.

My dad was just admitted to the hospital for heart issues. He has a huge history of heart problems, plus diabetes, gout, and who knows what else. My mom is freaking out about single parenting all 6 kids plus trying to deal with Dad in the hospital and trying to run her business.

We're in Texas and since they're related to the kids, they're not technically foster parents but "kinship care" so they get no financial assistance from the state but do have access to therapy, daycare assistance, etc.

Are there any resources for foster parents when one parent in the home is incapacitated? I'm thinking it would be really helpful for Mom to have someone like a babysitter come in and help out in the evenings or mornings, but she can't afford to pay for someone to do that.

[A&A]

Wow, that sounds like a tough situation all around. Sorry I don't have any specific advice. There's no one else who could take them in?

Perhaps also post in Finding your Tribe for state-specific advice.

[MadiMamacita]

wow- your mom has a lot of love!
Try posting in the foster parenting forum too!

[Drummer's Wife]

Maybe ask over in the foster/adopt subforum? I hope someone can help them find some resources.

[grisandole]

Moved to foster/adopt forum

[Polliwog]

Do they have any access to respite care? My DS lived with his bio grandmother for a while and she had access to respite when she needed it. I wonder if that's a possiblity. Either through social services or a private agency.

[tsfairy]

Thanks for moving this.

I was thinking respite care or something like it. How does that usually work?

Originally Posted by A&A

Wow, that sounds like a tough situation all around. Sorry I don't have any specific advice. There's no one else who could take them in?

Not really. If it becomes necessary I'll take at least a couple of them, but it will require lots of hoop-jumping to convince cps I'm worthy. As of right now, I'm not even technically eligible to babysit them. (Thorough vetting is required to do anything with foster kids and I haven't gone through the process yet.)

[illinoisgranny]

For respite care, the caseworker would have information and could get a respite set up. I was very ill last winter and got a respite for 2 weeks. I hope things get better for all of you soon.

[MomOnDaEdge]

Since they are not actually foster parents, they should have no problem being approved for TANF (cash aid) for the children only. For Food Stamps, all household income is counted, for TANF only the children's income is counted.

Here is a great website that explains it more in detail:

http://dallaslibrary2.org/kincare/faq.html#q1

They just need to make sure when they apply that the worker understands they are applying for the children only, not for any cash assistance for themselves.

[illinoisgranny]

I looked up some information for you from the Texas department of Aging and Disability Services. This is their website: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/services/caregiver.html

Some of the services they offer:

Access and assistance services include information, referral and assistance; care coordination; caregiver support and coordination; caregiver program development; benefits counseling and awareness; and advocacy for residents of long term care facilities through the Ombudsman program.

Caregiver support services are services for families to assist them in maintaining their caregiver roles. A caregiver is an adult family member or another individual who provides in-home and community care to an older individual or to an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder with neurological and organic brain dysfunction. Additionally, a grandparent or older individual who is a relative caregiver, who lives with the child, is the primary caregiver based on certain circumstances, and has a legal relationship to the child who is 18 years of age or younger may be eligible for services. Older caregivers caring for individuals of any age with severe disabilities may also receive support services. Services provided under this program include caregiver support coordination, caregiver information services, caregiver education and training, caregiver respite care-in-home, and institutional and non-residential support, such as the caregiver’s day out program..

In-home and community services include homemaker services, personal assistance, chore maintenance, adult day care, residential repair, health screening, monitoring and maintenance, emergency response, instruction, training, transportation, hospice services and services provided in a senior center.

Nutrition programs include meals and educational services to ensure older persons have access to appropriate nutrition. Services include congregate meals, home delivered meals, nutrition education and nutrition counseling/consultation.

Call 1-800-252-9240 and you will be routed to the area agency on aging (AAA) nearest you. Not all services are offered in all areas.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides support for the growing number of older people who care for children. This program can help grandparents or other relatives (age 55 and older) who are caring for a child age 18 or younger. Call 1-800-252-9240 to learn more.