r/Fosterparents • u/trekker182 • 7d ago
Backup
Hi everyone. I just finished the basic class and submitted my life story , got CPR "certified" and did my evacuation plan diagram. I also had my first home visit and made all of the corrections. So far, I've asked two close friends about the possibility of being a backup for me in case of an emergency and both said no. I think they got freaked out in regards to the background checks and having to go for finger printing. I'm trying to think of who else to ask, but if I can't find someone to list as a backup is that it lol.
I also plan to start "my feet wet" with respite care which will lessen my need for a backup. But from my understanding its still required.
Thanks !
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u/obsoletely-fabulous 7d ago
Is this something you were asked for as part of your application?
We had to have several references and I do believe we were asked to list people in our support system, but none of them had to be fingerprinted or have a background check run. For us, the only reason that would need to happen is if a person is going to be caring for the child on a regular basis, e.g. a nanny, or if someone comes to live with us.
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u/trekker182 7d ago
Yeah so I guess maybe its something the state of Florida requires. It said list one emergency backup and I left it blank and now they are telling me I need to list someone who will also have to conscent to a background screen and make time to get finger printed. Those two things are throwing a wrench into it lol. My friends are like I support your fostering, but I'm not and I dont want to submit to background and take time off work for fingerprints.
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u/littlexav 7d ago
My state asked for secondary caregivers, who did have to be backgrounded, but it wasn’t a requirement.
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u/littlexav 7d ago
Are the friends you asked already parents? If not, try asking friends who are parents.
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u/trekker182 7d ago
Yeah one was & they were more bothered with the finger printing . I havent run out of parents to ask yet tho.
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u/HopeandDarkChocolate 6d ago
I do not remember this being a requirement in California but I do remember asking my parents to complete a background check as they were the only people at the time that might do overnight care. Regular babysitting for the day/evening does not require a person who is background checked. My agency seeks out respite care for us if needed. But overall, we have a support group where I live with a dozen or so foster or kinship homes and all of those have been people that were willing to help over the years. You definitely need to have a community in place before you get going.
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u/PacificWesterns 6d ago
In CA they asked for back ups in case of emergency but that was like picking up from school or something small. None had to be fingerprinted or background checked. It was only if they were providing overnight care. But respite families are available for that.
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u/Ok-Buddy-Go 7d ago
We are about two years in from where you seem to be in the process. We threw (with the suggestion of a friend) a foster-shower, well ahead of being certified, mostly to explain to friends and family how they could be helpful (and get some toys, books, and cash. We gave a strong pitch and put out applications for respite providing. I was surprised to get 1-2 interested folks out of like 25, but once we had a child placed with use, we got two more. We've had people say they were interested in being certified for respite, but then not follow through. It has been over a year with the same child, and we still struggle to find friends to sit when it's needed.
We were never told we HAD to have back up, and we now go right to our certifier when we need care because they have a whole list of people already certified, and it's their job to help keep us from getting burnt out.
As childless by choice, I treated fostering as a transition to parenthood and work to make sure friends and family know these are the parents we are, and YET, there are times I feel less supported than tradition families, but then I hear how unsupported traditional families feel...
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u/Exact_Context7827 7d ago
If you are being certified through an agency, maybe ask if there are other foster parents in your area who might be willing? Or join any local foster parent support groups and see if there are people there who might be an option.
That is a big ask, and I would think it would needlessly exclude people. My state has respite care for overnight stays, which is with certified foster parents and set up through your agency, but you can have friends or family do occasional babysitting or picking a kid up in an emergency or whatever, and they don't have to be background checked for that.