Can a person be disqualified to adopt and/or foster kids, if the adoptive/foster prospective parent(s) had bee?

Wundt

You aren't automatically disqualified if you have a history of mental problems. I have a close friend is on antidepressants and occationaly tranquilizers and was able to become a foster, and eventual adoptive, parent. She could show that she had the 'issues' under control, had a strong support system (good marriage, close family ties, several friends, etc), and that her emotional problems would not compromise the care of the kids.

Be open and honest with the people doing the home study interviews. And, be honest with yourself if you can handle the stress of having children, especially children with possible behavioral and developmental problems, in your home.

r s

there are plenty of people I know who were on anti depressants, dx bipolar, etc... who were able to do foster care

they usually make you go for a current eval and see if that psychologist will clear you if you tell them about it...

Randy B

I don't know about your area but in mine there was not any sort of "thorough background check". They took the info we gave them in their written questionaire, compared it to what we told them in the two or three verbal face to face interviews and talked to the three references we gave them. Other then the criminal records check, which wouldn't show your issues unless you were arrested for anything, they may never find out about it if you pick references that don't know about it and don't disclose it along the way. My two references were people that knew me for the last 4-5 years and my sister. She may have said something if I had a similar situation but then again she may not have.

I'm not saying that this is the best course of action. If they find out you were lying or omitting anything along the way you will most likely get punted from the process but at the same time in most cases they only know what you tell them.

Kim

I do not necessarily think that a temporary problem in the past will disqualify you, but your mental health history is something that will be discussed during your homestudy process. There is also a good chance that you will be asked to to get a letter from your mental health doctor stating that whatever problems you had in the past will not affect your ability to parent now.

Some agencies require prospective parents to go through some mental health testing and/or counseling prior to adopting. The agency we used for our second adoption requires the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory.)

anastasia beaverhausen-the real1

you should go thru foster care---to adopt- programs.

becca

Yes they could if its still on your medical record! However I think they would take into account that you were a child when you had the issue. It would be different if you had an ongoing diagnosis as an adult! I could see them require you to see a specialist to be sure you don't have any issues now and to give you an all clear! Good luck!

Santa's Lil' Helper

Too risky to me.....any history of mental illness should be disqualification for foster parenting or adoption.

IDK!!

I think a deeper evaluation should be made first. Like I said in a previous question, nutrition can bring on mental illness. Tainted food, allergic reaction, various diseases that can be corrected, like celiac disease, can ll lead to mental instability which can be corrected permanently.

If that's the case, It may make a person more sensitive to to others who suffered with mental illness.

Anyway, I just think it takes a closer look.

hockeychic

I would assume they do a pretty thorough background check..including talking to people you know about your past history etc. Your evaluation will include what they can find evidence of but also what they conclude based on interviews with people you know, as well as the prospective parents themselves.

coral

my daughters children were taken off her and she would like me to foster my grandchildren but doc's have said because I was living with a person with a domestic violent order against him I cannot have the children in my care, I'm an aboriginal person 51yrs, should doc's look at the domestic violence that were against me,I'm also doing my diploma in community services and i signed a letter to get my police report. i don't understand why i haven't got the rights to these children.

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