This handbook is dedicated to relatives who provide care for children in need of a safe, stable, and nurturing home. In many cases, you have already raised your own children. We realize it is not easy to raise children again, often at a moment’s notice or without much time to prepare. Thank you for your courage, your compassion, and your sense of responsibility. This handbook is for you.
Legal Arrangements: What are your choices?
Your grandson may be living with you. Your niece may be moving in soon. The local Department of Social Services (DSS) may have asked if you can take care of your nephew for a while. You are not the child’s parent, but now you may have to make decisions about the child’s education and medical care. You may need to enroll the child in a different school. The parents may not be around when you take the child to the doctor for a check-up or tests. What kind of arrangement do you want to have? What are your choices? What are your rights and how much authority will you have? What are you responsible for? Also, how long do you think the child will live with you? How long do you think you can provide a home for the child?
Each arrangement has a different set of pros and cons for you to carefully consider. Make sure you know and fully understand these differences. Read on to learn about each option and then make the decision that is best for you, your family, and the child.
The above information is an excerpt from an article entitled Having a Voice & a Choice, New York State Handbook for Relatives Raising Children published by the NYS Office of Children & Family Services. The full article can be found here.