One thing we hear all the time is that there are thousands of children in foster care looking for a happy family. These kids tend to come from parents who just aren’t capable of caring for them. Their mom or dad may be in jail, may be absent or may be struggling with addiction issues. They deserve a happy home and foster parents that love and care for them.
The general belief is that any home is better than no home at all. If a child is living in a shelter or some sort of institution, wouldn’t it be better for them to live with a family? While this may make some sense, it’s not necessarily true. A foster child would be worse off if they were placed with parents who just aren’t capable of taking care of a child.
If you’ve applied to be a foster parent in Abilene, Texas and have been denied, you may be heartbroken. You might also be a bit angry. The State says they are looking for people willing to become loving parents to a foster child. And then they have the audacity to turn you down? That doesn’t make sense.
If you’re looking to become a foster parent or have already tried and your foster parent application was denied, you may want to call an adoption lawyer in Abilene, Texas. They can review your file and see what may have caused the State to deny your application. And, if it’s your first time applying to the program, they can give you an idea of whether or not you’ll be approved. They can also give you an idea of what the State is looking for in a qualified foster parent. All in all, they’ll help make the process go a lot smoother than if you try to do it on your own.
Your Criminal Background is Important When it Comes to Being Approved to Become a Foster Parent in Texas
One of the biggest reasons people are denied the request to become a foster parent is because of their criminal background. In order to become a foster parent in Abilene, you need to get your criminal background check done. This is done using your fingerprints. Your prints are run through a national database to make sure any crimes you were convicted of will show up on the report.
If any of the following items show up on your background check, you will automatically be denied the option of becoming a foster parent in Texas:
- You have a conviction of any violent crime including rape, homicide, or sexual assault
- You have a drug offense, battery or felony assault within the last 5 years
- You have been convicted of any crime against children
- You’ve been charged with or convicted of felony child abuse, neglect or spousal abuse
- Any crime against a child will preclude you from becoming a foster parent, no matter how long ago it was
If any of these items show up on your background check, your application will be denied. The denial letter may or may not specify the reason. However, you know what’s in your criminal background. If you have any of these crimes in your history, don’t waste your time applying to become a foster parent. There is nothing any Abilene adoption lawyer can do to change this.
Contact an Adoption Lawyer if Your Foster Parent Application Was Denied
If you’ve been thinking about becoming a foster parent for a while, it’s time to take some action. And, while you may be excited to start the process, it’s a good idea to talk to an adoption law firm in Abilene, Texas before you file any paperwork. You’ll want to know what it takes to be approved to become a foster parent in Texas. You also want to make sure you fill out all of the paperwork properly. This is something an adoption lawyer in Abilene can help you do.
Call today and talk to one of our friendly staff to schedule your initial consultation. You can sit down with one of our experienced adoption attorneys and find out if you truly are ready to become a foster parent. They can also answer any questions you may have about the foster care system. While there’s never any guarantee that you’ll be approved to become a foster parent, having a skilled lawyer by your side can only help your chances.