Forster care questions?

Question

I was looking up information about foster care, my boyfriend and i have been thinking of applying, but it wouldn't be for awhile, since i think we would need to fix up the house a bit first ( we just moved in last winter and i want to at least tare out the nasty old carpet and paint) Anyway. I was looking at the OKDHS website, for there requirements. And one says "have the ability to manage personal and household financial needs without relying on the foster care reimbursement" What do you think this means? Will they look at our back bank records? Or just my boyfriends current salary? I mean like, does it mean we have to have extra money, or just that we can pay all our bills? Because well, we do pay all our bills on time and stuff, but sometimes his account gets overdrawn, just because we didn't get a chance to put his check in the bank before the weekend or something. We've been trying to be more careful, but you know, things happen. I was just wondering if this would count against us? ((( and before i get all the negative answers which i know I'm going to get. I'd like to add in that we know you don't get paid to do foster care, money has nothing to do with why we would like to do this, its just part of the requirements had me wondering!!)))

Another one of the requirements that has me wondering is "must have a working vehicle" Does it matter that I'll be the one home with them most of the time and i don't have my license yet? my boyfriend does, and we have a new working car, and Ive gotten my permit but I'm not really comfortable driving yet. But we do live near family and friends that could give us a ride somewhere if we needed to while he was at work.

I think thats all my questions for now, i know i should prolly just call and ask them, but i dont really wanna call and stuff until were more ready to start the classes and stuff, know what i mean?

Thanks!

Answer 1

What that means is you have to be abel to support your home and kids without the money.  First off  it is not a job . Secondly the money they give you is no where near the cost to raise children correctly.  They want to make sure you aren't trying to foster for the money.  As for the working car in my state at least many people don't drive and are foster parents but it may be different in rural areas.  often times you need to take them to their visits with the bio parents as they try to get their kids back. If you can't the Social Worker can take them but they prefer if you can. My wife does not drive and does not have a license I drive and we are foster parents.  

Also yes it is good that you want to wait till you have your home fixed they ask that you not do major home repairs while the foster kids are there.  

Answer 2

They will go through everything. Finances, criminal records, etc, but if you have nothing to worry about. "have the ability to manage personal and household financial needs without relying on the foster care reimbursement" means that they want to know that you can afford to pay bills, etc without the money they will pay you. Like, you aren't dependant on that income to survive. You don't have to pay extra. i don't know about the license part though. Goodluck.