Meet Michael and Miranda, a pair of siblings ready for their forever family

Michael and Miranda

Michael who is 13 and his younger sister Miranda who is 10; when asked about their likes and wants in a forever family, they had some of the same ideas and some thoughts of their own …
Together they want a family with a house & a yard, and most importantly a family that does any kind of activity together, as a family unit.
Individually, Michael wants to start his new family with his very own puppy that can also grow with his new family. He would also like a family who is bilingual, as he would like to learn to speak Spanish, as a second language. Michael enjoys school and excels in his academics. He would like to play sports, and continue in the band, where he plays the tenor saxophone. And when at home, like many children his age, video games and movies.
Miranda has her eyes set on a parent who can prepare her favorite meal of Spaghetti (no cheese) garlic butter bread, a salad with ranch dressing, a sprite to drink, and cake for dessert. She also enjoys school and would like a parent who is encouraging and involved in her schooling. And if there is a younger sibling in the home, even better, as she will have someone to play dress up with, or go bike riding with. Miranda likes attending church on Sundays and taking part in the children’s program.
As a sibling group, they are seeking parents who will love & guide them as grow up, if you think you could be their forever family or for another child in Texas, please attend one of the department’s informational meetings…. Or log onto the web at www.adoptchildren.org for more information,
Basic Requirements
The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must:
• be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible mature adults,
• complete an application (staff will assist you, if you prefer),
• share information regarding their background and lifestyle,
• provide relative and non-relative references,
• show proof of marriage and/or divorce (if applicable),
• agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members,
• allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all adults in the household, and
• attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children.
The training provides an opportunity for the family and DFPS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. There is no charge for the meetings. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together.
Additional Foster Care Requirements
In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must:
• have adequate sleeping space.
• allow no more than 6 children in the home including your own children or children for whom you provide day care.
• agree to a nonphysical discipline policy.
• permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home.
• vaccinate all pets.
• obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification.
• obtain TB testing as required by the local Health Department for household members.
• attend 20 hours or more of training each year.
Responsibilities of Foster and Adoptive Families
Foster Parents:
• provide daily care and nurturing of children in foster care;
• advocate for children in their schools and communities;
• inform the children’s caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school, and community, as well as any problems that may arise, including any serious illnesses, accidents, or serious occurrences involving the foster children or their own families;
• make efforts as team members with children’s caseworkers towards reunifying children with their birth families;
• provide a positive role model to birth families and
• help children learn life skills.
Adoptive Parents:
• provide permanent homes and a lifelong commitment to children into adulthood;
• provide for the short-term and long-term needs of children;
• provide for children’s emotional, mental, physical, social, educational, and cultural needs, according to each child’s developmental age and growth;
• may become certified as a foster family and accept children who are not legally free for adoption, but whose permanency plan is adoption.
Can foster families adopt?
Yes! Many families are interested in both fostering and adopting. They agree with the agency that the children’s needs come first. In most cases, this means helping prepare children for reunification with their birth family, mentoring the birth parents, or working toward a relative or kinship placement.
When termination of parental rights is in the children’s best interest and adoption is their plan, then foster parents who have cared for the children will be given the opportunity to adopt. Dual certification of parents to both foster and adopt speeds up the placement process, reduces the number of moves a child makes, and allows relationships to evolve with the initial placement process. Nearly half the adoptions of children in DFPS foster care are by their foster families.
Can adoptive families provide foster care?
Yes! Adoptive families who are willing to accept placement of children who are not yet legally free for adoption but have a plan for adoption can also become certified as foster families. This dual certification increases the opportunities for successful adoptions. In some areas of the state, a “buddy system” has been developed in which experienced foster families, who understand the challenges and rewards of foster parenting, are available to share experiences with new families and give support.

Jessica Maniglia, CPS adoption specialist, 361-854-2011