How can i become a foster parent for the mentally disabled?

I just bought a home and as of right now i work with down syndrome people. i would like to take in clients in my home that are mentally disabled and i don't know where to start.How can i become a foster parent for the mentally disabled?
As the parent of a young adult with Down syndrome, I can say that I am offended by the way you have worded your question and so I would start there. You are not going to get people to reside with you if they are offended by the way you refer to them. My son HAS Down syndrome - he is not a Down syndrome person. Mentally disabled is a catch-all term that means so many different things to different people that it means nothing. If you want to open your home to people - don't refer to them as clients. I would never want to live - or allow my son to live in a home where he was considered a client. You want to share your home? - they are residents of your home.





Every state has rules about small institutions (yes that is what you would become) and every city has zoning laws about how many unrelated people can reside in one house. Do a background check on yourself and make sure your record is clear and correct. (If not correct, correct it before you go any further.) So check those out first.





Once you are sure you can legally do what you want, than approach the local Arc or UCP or Easter Seals and talk to them about certifying your home. Each will have their own requirements that they expect you to meet in addition to what is required by state law. It will not be simply a matter of your home meeting requirement, but also you meeting requirements.





Also know that this is not a means of making good money, IF that is your goal. You must want to do this from your heart and be fully commited to a complete change in lifestyle.





ChiliswomanHow can i become a foster parent for the mentally disabled?
i dont like the way you writen this,


Down syndrome person. Mentally disabled they have a condion all they need and want is a life and to have the help and support they need they dont want it be labard, eg how you put it saying down syndrome people they not down syndrome people they have a condion remmber that, you need to look in to the condions more first, and now what your talking about, i now people with the condions and there like any other person and they namal just like anybody and need help just like most disabled people, treat them namal and you get somewhere,
teh state foster care system





do yu wnat clients (as in rungin a group home)





or foster children (as they are a member of your household





while some ares do have foster hoems for adults--i don't knwo of any in my state





SOCIAL SECURITY DOES not do this





teh state dept of disability services may be able to guide you
i would start by taking a people first language course and understand that they are people who have down syndrome. not down syndrome people.............if you work with these individuals then you should already know that. you dont define a person by their disability. i am also curious as to what you buying a new home has to do with you wanting to do foster care.
Who is currently in charge of the kids well being. If the state then contact welfare services. If the parents what are you talking about?
Check with your local social security office or adoption agency.





OMG, Chilliswoman, no one besides you and maybe Legit SSA have such a hang up with the word mentally disabled. Please give it up. And I'm both mentally and physically disabled, so I know what I'm talking about. Don't worry about offending the agencies you go to with that word, if they do prefer another term they'll tell you.





And all these people who are hung up on the any description that's not people first language, OMG, get over yourselves. She's not an ignorant, backwater person who woke up one day and decided this she actually works with the disabled community, I'm sure she knows what is, and isn't acceptable at any given time.





Justmeinthisworld, you don't know a thing, social security also acts as social services and they can help with the state foster care systems.
I don't like the mentally disabled. they scare me
Why the hell would you want to?